Thomas Feiter
2015 Florida Bar Board Certified Lawyer of the Year
About Thomas
Thomas Feiter has lived in Central Florida since 1989. He was named The Florida Bar’s Board Certified Lawyer of the Year in 2015 and is one of very few attorneys in the area who is both Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar and an AV Rated Preeminent Lawyer. He is experienced in being lead counsel in more than 80 jury trials to verdict, and has extensive experience as a trial lawyer in Orlando; fighting many types of cases in personal injury (car accidents, slip and fall, negligent security) and criminal defense (from simple DUIs to capital felonies, including sexual battery (physically helpless), lewd and lascivious molestation, traveling to meet a minor, and unlawful sex with a minor). Mr. Feiter is also a Captain in the US Army JAG Corps Reserve, and has a prior combat zone deployment to Kuwait, with time in Afghanistan, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He is a member of The Florida Bar, the Florida Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is a frequent lecturer at the Criminal Justice Institute, where he teaches new law enforcement officers constitutional law, court process, and criminal justice. Mr. Feiter also speaks Spanish and German and assists clients with criminal cases and investigations as well as with personal injury and family law matters.
Background
Mr. Feiter is admitted to practice law in all of the state courts of Florida and the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. He graduated from Dr. Phillips High School here in Orlando, Florida in 1996, the University of Miami in 2000 and from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2006.
While in law school, Thomas focused on the art of courtroom advocacy as a member of the National Trial Team and Moot Court Honors Program. Before his third year of law school, he was selected to serve with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) as a member of the Commission’s Summer Honors Program. During that time, Mr. Feiter worked in the Enforcement Division of the Los Angeles Regional Office on federal crimes involving insider trading and accounting fraud.
After law school, Thomas followed his passion for trial work by joining the State Attorney’s Office and served the State of Florida as a traffic, misdemeanor and felony prosecutor in both Orange & Osceola Counties. After a few years as a prosecutor, he was offered a position at Payas, Payas and Payas – a well-respected and established law firm in downtown Orlando.
In 2011, Mr. Feiter started his own practice – The Fighter Law Firm. He is the chair of the Orange County Bar Association‘s Solo & Small Firm Committee and on the Executive Board for the Criminal Law Committee.
Mr. Feiter lives with his wife and their two children in downtown Orlando.
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury
- Criminal Defense
- Sex Crimes and Rape (Sexual Battery)
- Auto Accidents
- How to Fight a DUI in Florida (Driving Under the Influence)
- Drug Crimes and Drug Possession
- Burglary, Robbery and Carjacking
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2006
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 2011
Awards & Recognition
Significant Case Results
Felony Battery Charges Dismissed in New 2017 Case!
Charged with: Felony Battery
Our client was accused of felony battery on a elderly person. After investigating the matter, speaking with all witnesses, and reviewing surveillance videos, we were able to present enough evidence to the prosecutor's office to compel them not pursue any criminal charges against our client! This was a long process that included using our knowledge as former prosecutors to achieve a great result.
All charges dismissed.
R.W. v. Confidential Defendant
Charged with: Private Settlement
Client was sexually assaulted by a worker at a local massage parlor. We immediately pursued action against the company, their insurance policies and the individual involved. The end result was the employee getting criminally charged and we were able to settle the case for a significant confidential amount.
Private settlement reached – the amount our client received far exceeded her expectations.
State v. B.H. (2016-CF-002826-A-O)
Charged with: Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
Client was charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. After months of negotiating with the prosecutor, I was finally able to convince them that the case was not worth pursuing. All charges dismissed!
All charges dismissed.
In the Interest of B.R. (2008-CJ-7593)
Charged with: Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition
Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition (Felony) - Client was arrested for allegedly showing his privates to a girl in the boys' room at a school gymnasium. Depositions were conducted and motions to suppress were argued. In the end, we needed to go to trial on this case and the Judge granted a judgment of acquittal after the State presented their case in chief. All charges were dismissed.
Outcome: Judgment of Aquittal Granted (Case Dismissed)
A.P. v. E.P. (DR08-13061)
Charged with: Divorce
My client wanted to have his daughters live with him more than 50% of the time based on the mother's inability to provide a stable living environment. We hired a guardian ad litem to run background checks on everyone and return a report to the court. After the trial, my client got what he wanted - for his daughters to live with him during the week and no award of attorney's fees for the other side.
Outcome: Win / Favorable Verdict