When he was an infant, Alex Alvarez left Cuba and came to the United States with his family. He was introduced to the justice system in 1978 when, at the age of 19, he was accepted into the police academy. His choice of police work over college came as a surprise to his family. They supported his decision however and he repaid that trust and support by graduating with honors from the Academy and finishing first in his graduating class.
Even as one of the youngest members of the force, Alex quickly rose to the rank of detective and gained international prominence as the lead detective in the infamous ?Miami River Cops Case,? which resulted in the arrest and conviction of 18 corrupt Miami police officers. He was named 1987 Officer of the Year by the Miami-Dade Police Department, the Dade County Police Benevolent Association and the Hispanic Police Officer?s Association. Throughout the course of his career he has received more than 30 commendations for his leadership role in this landmark case.
The investigation and subsequent trials consumed much of Alex?s time and afforded him the opportunity to sit for extended periods at the prosecutor?s table in the Miami courtroom where he was able to see another side of the justice system. What he saw intrigued him and it was during the trial that he made the decision to pursue a career as a trial lawyer.
While working as a detective, Alex earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from St. Thomas University in 1989, graduating cum laude. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate degree in 1992 from the University of Miami Law School, where he was elected by the faculty to the prestigious national honorary society, Order of the Barrister.
Order of the Barrister is a national honorary society that promotes excellence in moot court, mock trial and other advocacy programs. Members of the faculty elect nine students to the organization each year, basing their selection on the candidates? overall contributions to the moot court and trial advocacy programs.
Having earned his law degree, Alex retired from the police department and set out to make his mark as an attorney. From the moment he began his career as a trial lawyer, Alex quickly established himself as a talented, aggressive attorney who is not afraid to take a case all the way to a jury trial. His success comes from a combination of understanding the importance of meticulous preparation, something he learned well during his time on the police force, and his own tenacious personality. His attention to detail coupled with a natural ability to gather and process information, has been a valuable asset as he has won numerous jury verdicts on behalf of his clients while settling others for the maximum possible amount.
Alex Alvarez is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a member and Eagle Founder of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and a member of the Florida Bar; American Board of Trial Advocates; Dade County Trial Lawyers Association; American Trial Lawyers Association; and the Cuban American Bar Association.
He serves as associate general counsel for the Dade County PBA, is past president of the Badge & Gavel Society. He was admitted to practice in Florida in 1992 by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, and has been recognized by Miami ? Dade County in its annual list of Top-10 Jury Verdicts, in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Mr. Alvarez has earned the distinctive Martindale ? Hubbell AV rating, an honor bestowed upon lawyers who have reached the height of professional excellence, exhibiting the highest levels of skill and integrity. As a longtime member of the South Florida community, he believes strongly in supporting local causes with pro bono work and other generous contributions.
Admitted:
1992, Florida
1993, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida,
2006, U.S. Court of Federal Claims
2008, U.S, 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
2008, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
2009, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
2010, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
Member:
The Florida Bar
American Bar Association
Florida Justice Association, Board of Directors and Eagle Founder
American Board of Trial Advocates, A.B.O.T.A.
Dade County Trial Lawyers Association
American Association for Justice fka, A.T.L.A.
American Association for Justice-Publications Committee
Cuban American Bar Association, C.A.B.A.
Plaintiff Steering Committee Experience
PSC member Denture Cream, MDL, Miami, Fl
PSC member NuvaRing MDL, St Louis, MO
PSC member Kugel Mesh MDL, Providence, RI
PSC member ReNu Contact Solution, MDL, NY Consolidated Actions
Co-Chair of Trial Committee in the Medtronic MDL Minneapolis, MN
Discovery Committee member PSC Vioxx MDL, New Orleans, La.
