The 2026 ELA Awards from Expert Law Attorneys have named The Baez Law Firm Best Criminal Defense Firm of 2026, recognizing the Miami, Florida firm for its strong defense of people facing criminal charges.
About the 2026 ELA Awards
The ELA Awards recognize law firms across the United States for the quality of their work and the way they serve clients. Honorees stand out for focused experience in their practice areas, responsive client service, professional conduct, and commitment to the communities they serve.
Why The Baez Law Firm Earned the Recognition
The Baez Law Firm is a criminal defense, civil rights and civil litigation firm with offices in Miami and Orlando, serving clients throughout Florida and in cases across the country. The firm is led by trial lawyer Jose A. Baez, who secured a full acquittal on first-degree murder charges in the Casey Anthony trial and teaches trial techniques as a faculty member at Harvard Law School. The firm’s results include the acquittal of NFL player Aaron Hernandez on double homicide charges in Boston, an Ohio doctor acquitted of 25 counts of murder, and cardiologists acquitted of 50 federal health care fraud counts. Jose Baez was named Lawyer of the Year for 2011 by LawyersUSA and to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers from 2011 through 2014.
Managing Partner Michelle Medina, who began her career with the Office of the Public Defender in the 9th Judicial Circuit, has been with the firm for more than 15 years. The firm handles murder charges, federal crimes, white collar and health care fraud, drug and sex offenses, and appeals, and uses independent forensic testing of DNA, fingerprints and digital evidence. Jose Baez and Michelle Medina speak Spanish, and the firm offers free consultations and 24/7 availability.
What the Award Means for Clients
People dealing with a criminal charge often have little to go on beyond a website and a few reviews. Recognition in the 2026 ELA Awards gives them one more reason for confidence that The Baez Law Firm takes its work and its clients seriously.