Our mission
Piotrowski Law Firm was founded as a criminal defense practice, and defense remains our lead division. We exist to stand between people accused of crimes and the full weight of the state, and to make sure that an accusation is met with a real, prepared defense. As our clients’ needs grew, so did the firm: today a dedicated Business Law division counsels the owners and companies of South Florida with the same standard of care. Whichever side of the firm you work with, you get a lawyer who answers the phone, explains things in plain language, and prepares as if the matter is headed to court.
Two divisions, one standard
Criminal Defense represents people facing misdemeanor, felony, and federal charges — from DUI and drug offenses to white collar and federal investigations — along with record sealing and expungement. The division is led by founding attorney Daniel R. Piotrowski, a former Miami-Dade prosecutor, together with associate attorney Carmen A. Reyes.
Business Law counsels owners from formation through disputes: forming and structuring a business, drafting and reviewing contracts, business disputes and litigation, partner and shareholder disputes, buying or selling a business, and employment law for employers. The division is led by partner Marcus T. Ellison, who spent his early career in commercial litigation.
How the divisions work together
Business problems and legal exposure do not always stay in separate lanes. When a company faces a government investigation, when an employee is accused of fraud, or when an owner’s personal legal trouble threatens the business, our two divisions work the matter side by side — the criminal team protecting the people involved, the business team protecting the company, its contracts, and its operations. One firm, one coordinated plan, and no gaps between two outside law offices that have never spoken to each other.
How we approach a matter
Prosecutors are well-resourced, and the system can feel designed to move people through it as quickly as possible. Our role in a criminal case is to slow that machinery down: to examine how evidence was gathered, to test every assumption in the state’s case, and to hold the government to its burden of proof. On the business side, the same discipline means reading the documents closely, spotting the risk before it becomes a dispute, and giving owners a clear picture of their options. We do not make promises about outcomes. We make a promise about effort — that your matter will be investigated thoroughly, prepared carefully, and handled with everything we have.
That preparation is also what creates leverage. A case that is genuinely ready for trial is a case that commands respect at the negotiating table. Whether the right resolution is a dismissal, a reduced charge, a diversion program, a negotiated business settlement, or a verdict, we want you to reach it with a clear understanding of your options at every step.
“An accusation is not a conviction. Everyone is entitled to a vigorous defense.”
Why criminal defense comes first
People rarely meet a criminal defense attorney on a good day. They come to us frightened, often for the first time in their lives, worried about their freedom, their families, their jobs, and their reputations. We chose this work because that moment matters — because the difference between facing the system alone and facing it with a committed advocate can shape the rest of a person’s life. That responsibility shaped the firm’s culture, and it is the standard our Business Law division brings to every owner it counsels.
Serving Miami-Dade & Broward County
Our office sits in the heart of Brickell, and we represent individuals and businesses throughout South Florida — in Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pembroke Pines. We know the local courts and the rhythms of how matters move through Miami-Dade and Broward. That familiarity lets us anticipate problems early and focus our energy where it counts.
Whether you are facing charges or facing a business decision, the sooner you have counsel, the more options you are likely to have. Your initial consultation is free and confidential, and our phones are answered 24/7. Request a consultation.
This page provides general information about the firm and is not legal advice. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.