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Christopher E. Benjamin serves as an Of Counsel attorney at International Law Partners. He graduated from Florida Memorial University (the only historically black university in South Florida) with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Political Science in 1998 and St. Thomas University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 2001.  Mr. Benjamin is also a Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator.

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A member of the Florida Bar, Mr. Benjamin served as a Traffic Magistrate for the Traffic Division of Miami-Dade County Court and Special Magistrate for Code Enforcement in various municipalities in the tri-county area. 

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Mr. Benjamin – was a member of the Dade County Small Business Enterprise Advisory Committee and member of the Dade County School Board’s Small Business/Minority/Women/Veteran Advisory Committee -- is a staunch community advocate and has spent his career, helping families navigate the process of divorce, ensuring persons charged with a crime receive a fair trial, helping protect the civil rights of the discriminated, helping the injured find relief, helping small business owners establish their businesses, helping the low-to-moderate income residents of Florida find affordable access to the courts and helping litigants find alternatives to resolving their disputes.

Classes Taught

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  • Adjunct Professor, NSU’s Shepard Broad School of Law

  • Adjunct Professor, Florida Memorial University, Business and Criminal Law

  • Adjunct Professor, City College, Business Law, Criminal Law, Torts and Contracts

  • Adjunct Professor, Miami-Dade College, Title Insurance Agent and Notary

  • Attorney Trainer, Miami-Dade Teen Court, Attorney Basic Skills and Knowledge

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Speaking Engagements:

  • Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce: How to Read Contracts (Guest Speaker 2019)

  • NAACP & MDC: The Legacy of Civil Rights: 50 Years Later (Panel Speaker 2018)

  • Broken Voices: Hit and Run Responsibilities (Panel Speaker 2018)

  • NSU Shepard Broad Law School: Social Justice Lawyering (Speaker 2018)

  • Viewpoint with Seeta and Friends Radio Show: Restoration of Civil Rights (Speaker 2018)

  • Arlington Academy 12th Grade Graduation: 2017 Commencement Speaker

  • Reaching Our Youth – Conflict Resolution Forum (Panel Speaker 2017)

  • Urban League of Broward County: Know Your Rights (Panel Speaker 2015)

  • The Wells Foundation’s forum: Building Communities (Panel Speaker 2014)

  • Dade County Bar Association: Solo/Small Firm Committee: How to Start Your Own Practice 2013 (Panel Speaker: Law Firm Management and Technology)

  • State Representative Kionne McGhee’s forum: (2013) Our Voting Rights … (Panel Speaker)

  • NAACP’s forum: The Legal Process – A Look at the George Zimmerman Case (Panel Speaker)

  • St. Thomas University School of Leadership Studies; Why is Education Important 2011 (Guest Speaker)

Publications and Writings:

  • The Truth About Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law; reported (printed) by In Focus Magazine, Columbus New Times, dallasweekly.com, copylinemagazine.com, urbanmediatoday.com, sharenews.com, g987fm.com and interviewed about the article by Lawtalk, The Bachelor Pad, and The Community Defender with Brother Adrian.

Honors and Awards:

Professional:

  • South Florida Legal Guide: Top Attorney (2020 and 2021)

  • America’s Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators (2019)

  • US News & World Report Online Lawyers Directory

  • Marquis Who’s Who in the World (2018 and 2020)

  • Dade County Bar Association: Legal Luminary (2017 Finalist: Top Solo)

  • Dade County Bar Association: Legal Luminary (2016 Finalist: Marital Law)

  • Florida Trend Magazine: Legal Elite (2015)

  • World Wide Registry of Experts (2015)

  • National Association of Distinguished Counsel; Top 1% (2015 Invitation)

  • Best Attorneys of America (2015 Invitation)

  • National Black Lawyers; Top 100 (2015-2019 Invitation)

  • Martindale Hubbell: Client Distinction Award (2015)

  • 11th Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County: General Magistrate Nominee (2014)

  • World Wide Registry of Professionals and Executives (2014)

  • Marquis Who’s Who in American Law 18th Edition (2014) and 19th Edition (2015)

  • Listed in ALM’s Legal Leaders: South Florida’s Top Rated Attorneys (2012)

  • South Florida Business Journal: 40 under 40 (2012)

  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: 40 under 40 Outstanding Lawyers in Miami-Dade (2012)

  • National Trial Lawyers:  Top 40 under 40 (2012 and 2013 Invitation)

  • Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2023

  • Super Lawyers Rising Star: 2012 and 2013

  • Martindale Hubbell: AV Preeminent Attorney 2011-2023

  • AVVO.com: Attorney rating of Superb

  • International Historical Society: Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs 2007

  • Put Something Back Program: Outstanding Pro Bono Award

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Community/Civic:

  • Exquizite Management Inc.; FECAG: Most Inspiring Male 2019

  • Miami’s 50 Most Powerful & Influential Black Business Leaders of 2018

  • JM Family Enterprises; African American Achievers (2018 and 2020 Nominee)

  • UNCF/National Alumni Council: 2017 Hall of Honor Award

  • Trayvon Martin Foundation: 2016 Father of the Year Honoree

  • Bme Leadership Award (2016 nominee)

  • Brown Girls, Inc.; Outstanding Greek Alumni of Florida Memorial University (2015)

  • Miami-Dade County Charmettes; Man of the Year: Civic Honoree (2015)

  • JM Family Enterprises; African American Achievers: (2015 Nominee) 

  • Marquis Who’s Who in America 67th Edition (2013) and 68th Edition (2014)

  • Legacy Magazine: South Florida’s 40 under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow (2012)

  • Florida Memorial University: President’s Fountain of Excellence

  • UNCF/National Alumni Council: Outstanding Young Alumni

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Elected Office

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  • Florida House of Representatives, District 107 (November 2020 – present)

Civic and Government Appointments

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Quasi-Judicial

  • 11th Judicial Circuit, County Court Traffic Hearing Officer

  • City of North Miami Special Magistrate (Code Enforcement)

  • City of Opa Locka Special Magistrate (Code Enforcement)

  • City of Hallandale Beach Special Magistrate (Red Light Camera)

  • City of South Bay Special Magistrate (Code Enforcement)

  • State of Florida Local Advocacy Council (2005-2006)

County

  • Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee (2003-2004)

  • Miami-Dade County Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (2010-2013)

  • Miami-Dade County Small Business Enterprise Advisory Committee (2017- 2020)

  • Miami-Dade County Commission on Human Rights (2019 – 2020)

School Board

  • Miami-Dade County School Board Attendance & Boundary Advisory Committee (2017 – 2020)

  • Miami-Dade County School Board Small Business Enterprise Advisory Committee (Vice-Chair)

  • Miami-Dade County School Board Secure Our Future Advisory Committee (2019 – 2020)

Municipal

  • City of Miami Gardens’ Nuisance Abatement Board (Co-Chairman)

  • City of Opa Locka Ad Hoc City Attorney Search Committee (Chairman 2008)

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