James E. Felman

James E. Felman

Bet-the-Company Litigation

5.0 (1 reviews)
Tampa, Florida
38+ years experience
Kynes, Markman & Felman PA
Updated:

Contact Information

100 South Ashley Drive, Suite 1450, P.O. Box 3396, Tampa, FL 33602
Login to Contact

Create an account to contact this attorney

Bio

James E. Felman has concentrated his practice of law in the defense of complex criminal matters and related civil litigation for over 30 years. Mr. Felman represents clients in federal and state matters in every phase of the criminal process -- investigation, trial, sentencing, appeal, and post-conviction proceedings. He has represented clients in a wide range of matters, including allegations of bank fraud, health care fraud, mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, environmental crimes, antitrust violations, synthetic/illegal drugs, illegal gambling, child abuse/ pornography, and murder.Mr. Felman has also devoted a significant portion of his professional efforts to legal reform and policy work. He has testified on an array of topics before the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and Sentencing Commission, and frequently writes and speaks on criminal justice policy issues. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and serves as Chair of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Task Force on First Step Act Implementation. He also serves as Chair of the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section’s Task Force on First Step Act Implementation. He is a Past Chair of the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association and is the ABA’s Past Liaison to the United States Sentencing Commission. He was a founding member of the Steering Committee of Clemency Project 2014 and is former Co-Chair of the Practitioners’ Advisory Group to the United States Sentencing Commission.Mr. Felman is a graduate of Wake Forest University, B.A. cum laude, 1984, and Duke University, M.A. Phil. and J.D. with high honors (Order of the Coif), 1987. Following law school, he was a law clerk to Judge Theodore McMillian of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. James E. Felman has concentrated his practice of law in the defense of complex criminal matters and related civil litigation for over 30 years. Mr. Felman represents clients in federal and state matters in every phase of the criminal process -- investigation, trial, sentencing, appeal, and post-conviction proceedings. He has represented clients in a wide range of matters, including allegations of bank fraud, health care fraud, mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, environmental crimes, antitrust violations, synthetic/illegal drugs, illegal gambling, child abuse/ pornography, and murder.Mr. Felman has also devoted a significant portion of his professional efforts to legal reform and policy work. He has testified on an array of topics before the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and Sentencing Commission, and frequently writes and speaks on criminal justice policy issues. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and serves as Chair of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Task Force on First Step Act Implementation. He also serves as Chair of the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section’s Task Force on First Step Act Implementation. He is a Past Chair of the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association and is the ABA’s Past Liaison to the United States Sentencing Commission. He was a founding member of the Steering Committee of Clemency Project 2014 and is former Co-Chair of the Practitioners’ Advisory Group to the United States Sentencing Commission.Mr. Felman is a graduate of Wake Forest University, B.A. cum laude, 1984, and Duke University, M.A. Phil. and J.D. with high honors (Order of the Coif), 1987. Following law school, he was a law clerk to Judge Theodore McMillian of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. James E. Felman has concentrated his practice of law in the defense of complex criminal matters and related civil litigation for over 30 years. Mr. Felman represents clients in federal and state matters in every phase of the criminal process -- investigation, trial, sentencing, appeal, and post-conviction proceedings. He has represented clients in a wide range of matters, including allegations of bank fraud, health care fraud, mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, environmental crimes, antitrust violations, synthetic/illegal drugs, illegal gambling, child abuse/ pornography, and murder. Mr. Felman has also devoted a significant portion of his professional efforts to legal reform and policy work. He has testified on an array of topics before the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and Sentencing Commission, and frequently writes and speaks on criminal justice policy issues.

Practice Areas

Bet-the-Company Litigation

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Bet-the-Company Litigation, Tampa (2026)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Tampa (2026)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Tampa (2025)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Tampa (2024)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Tampa (2023)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Tampa (2021)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Tampa (2018)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Tampa (2015)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Tampa (2014)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Tampa (2012)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Tampa (2011)
  • Recognized: Appellate Practice
  • Recognized: Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Recognized: Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Recognized: Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Special Focus: Appellate
  • Special Focus: COVID-19
  • Special Focus: Criminal Appeals
  • Special Focus: Criminal Investigations
  • Special Focus: Drug Offenses
  • Special Focus: Grand Jury
  • Special Focus: State and Federal
  • Special Focus: Vehicular Manslaughter
  • Special Focus: Violent and Nonviolent Crimes
  • Recipient of the 2025 Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Trial and Litigation Section Herbert G. Goldburg award, the highest award given by the section, recognizing his fairness, integrity, courtesy, zeal, forensic skill, legal acumen, good sense, and respect for fellow lawyers during his career
  • Recipient of the 2023 NACDL President’s commendation for his extraordinary contributions to the mission, beliefs, and goals of the association
  • 2023 Florida Bar Criminal Law Section Selig Goldin Award for significant contribution to the criminal justice system of the State of Florida
  • Marcelino "Bubba" Huerta III Award for Pro Bono Service and the Pursuit of Equal Justice
  • George C. Carr Memorial Award for Excellance in Federal Practice

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2001

Education

  • Duke University, JD, graduated 1987
  • Duke University, MA Phil., graduated 1987
  • Wake Forest University, BA, graduated 1984

Reviews

P

Patricia Gomez

2 weeks ago

A formidable advocate in high-stakes litigation

When our company faced a complex federal investigation with potential criminal exposure, we turned to James Felman. His 38 years of experience, particularly in white-collar and bet-the-company litigation, were immediately evident. Mr. Felman masterfully navigated the interplay between the criminal probe and related civil matters, a nuanced area where his dual expertise is invaluable. His strategic guidance was not only legally brilliant but also pragmatic, focusing on achieving the best possible outcome without unnecessary conflict. The recent recognition as Lawyer of the Year is well-deserved. We are profoundly grateful for his exceptional service and the positive resolution he secured for our business.

Write a Review

Please login to leave a review for this attorney.

Login to Review

Don't have an account? Create one

Related Attorneys

Rinaldo J. Cartaya,

Rinaldo J. Cartaya,

Construction Law

Jacksonville, FL
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
James L. Wilkes,

James L. Wilkes,

Personal Injury

Jacksonville, FL
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
Keith Meisel

Keith Meisel

Family Law

Jacksonville, FL
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
Tracey M. Cohen, K.C.

Tracey M. Cohen, K.C.

Bet-the-Company Litigation

Denver
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile