John S. Hager, Esq.
Founding Partner
John S. Hager, Esq. is originally from Spring Valley, New York. Upon graduating from law school and passing the Florida Bar, John accepted a position as an Assistant State Attorney in order to gain the necessary trial experience and extensive knowledge of our complicated criminal justice system. His career later transitioned from prosecution into criminal defense, transferring with him a unique set of skills and knowledge from the world of prosecution. This contributes to his all-around ability.
EDUCATION & EARLY CAREER
John received his undergraduate education from the University of Florida in 1994. Immediately thereafter, he attended law school at Nova Southeastern University, where he received his Juris Doctorate degree.
Upon graduating from law school and passing the Florida Bar, John accepted a position as an Assistant State Attorney in order to gain the necessary trial experience and extensive knowledge of our often complicated Criminal Justice System. During his tenure as a prosecutor, John handled thousands of cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies and tried hundreds of cases to verdict. After leaving the Broward County State Attorney’s office, John accepted a job with the largest insurance defense firm in the state of Florida litigating, on behalf of some of the state's biggest insurance companies.
BAR ASSOCIATIONS
Bar Associations speak to the levels of trust placed in an attorney to work within a body of other professional lawyers in regulating and preserving the integrity of law. Attorney Hager has several.
John is an active member of:
- The American Bar Association (ABA)
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL)
- The Broward County Bar Association
- Florida Bar Criminal Rules of Procedure Committee
- The Broward County Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association
- Board Member, Current
- Vice President
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member, 2020 - 2022
John was also appointed by the President of the Florida Bar to serve as a committee member for the Traffic Rules Committee in the State of Florida for two terms. In addition, John is admitted to practice before all Florida State Courts and the United States Southern District Court.
Attorney Hager has been appointed to serve upon a grievance committee for the Florida Bar for three consecutive years. Each of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits has at least one grievance committee, which are each tasked with hearing complaints brought forth to that circuit in regards to professional misconduct. Comprised of attorneys and other non-legal experts, a grievance committee functions similarly to a grand jury, deciding whether or not a submitted case has enough valid reasoning to believe that a lawyer did violate Florida Supreme Court conduct rules. The committee can also suggest disciplines against attorneys who have violated regulations. To be placed on a grievance committee, an attorney must exemplify what it means to be an outstanding attorney in both legal understanding and ethics.
LICENSES
- The American Bar Association (ABA)
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL)
- The Broward County Bar Association
- The Broward County Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association
- Florida Bar Criminal Rules of Procedure Committee
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Awards in criminal defense are handed to trustworthy authorities who confer with colleagues and distribute recognition based on excellence, devotion, and results in the courtroom.
Attorney Hager has been awarded the following distinctions:
- “Top Up & Comers” South Florida Legal Guide
- “Top Lawyer”, also by the South Florida Legal Guide
- Superb rating by Avvo, a leading attorney ranking system
- South Florida's Top AV-Rated Lawyers
- Florida Super Lawyers®
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Minneapolis, Social Unrest, and COVID-19, Zoom
- Broward Crime Commission, June 17, 2020
EDUCATION
JURIS DOCTORATE
Nova Southeastern University - Graduate School
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
University of Florida - College
1994