“Right out of law school in New York, I came down to South Florida and joined the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office. You are thrown right into the fire there—handling appeals, learning objections and the black letter of the law, and then moving directly into the trial division. I was trying cases on a weekly basis, from domestic violence to homicide. That experience was invaluable to developing my litigation skills, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” – David Tarras, Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
In this video, South Florida federal defense attorney David Tarras, founder of Tarras Defense, shares how his early years as a trial lawyer shaped the relentless approach he brings to today’s high-stakes federal cases. David explains that his career began with:
- Appeals work, mastering objections and legal fundamentals in just three months
- Trial division experience, trying multiple cases per week across the criminal spectrum
- Handling serious cases, ranging from domestic violence and theft to complex homicides
- Managing high caseloads, learning to prepare and advocate under intense pressure
From there, David transitioned into private practice, where he now represents clients in major federal criminal and white collar cases. His current practice includes:
- Large-scale drug trafficking and cartel cases
- Healthcare fraud and Medicare fraud investigations
- Securities fraud, Ponzi schemes, and investment fraud
- Wire fraud, mail fraud, and financial crimes
- Money laundering and cryptocurrency enforcement
- Conspiracy charges across all federal crime categories
- Cyber crime and technology-driven federal offenses
- “Whether I am defending a client in a drug cartel case, a securities fraud Ponzi scheme, or a healthcare fraud indictment, I approach every case the same way: from a trial-forward perspective. By looking ahead to trial and working backward, I ensure that every motion is filed, every detail is covered, and every angle is considered. No stone is left unturned, and the client receives a complete, holistic defense,” David explains.