Matt Ladd

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Matt Ladd is a Miami attorney with approximately two decades of experience handling criminal defense, civil litigation, landlord-tenant law and personal injury law. He has more experience in federal court practice than most.   

Miami attorney Matthew E. Ladd is a former prosecutor-turned-defense lawyer with a focus on criminal litigation in state and federal courts, along with a civil practice that includes eviction defense, real estate disputes, and negligence-related matters.

Background and career path

• Education and early career: Ladd earned his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and began his legal career as a prosecutor with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, handling thousands of cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies, including violent crimes and child victim offenses. This prosecutorial background informs his approach to defense, with an emphasis on understanding prosecutorial strategies and trial readiness. [Source: The Firm - Miami Criminal and Civil Legal Defense Lawyer; LinkedIn summary]​

• Legislative service: After his time as a prosecutor, Ladd served in the Florida House of Representatives, where he contributed to criminal justice reform and related legislation, gaining insight into how statutes are drafted and implemented. His legislative experience complements his trial work by providing a broader understanding of the regulatory framework and policy considerations behind criminal statutes. [Source: The Firm - Miami Criminal and Civil Legal Defense Lawyer; LinkedIn summary]​

Practice areas and approach

• Criminal defense: In both state and federal courts, Ladd represents clients facing a wide range of offenses, from high-profile and complex cases to more routine criminal matters. His background as a former prosecutor is often highlighted as an asset in building strategic defense and identifying opportunities to challenge evidence or prosecutorial overreach. [Source: The Firm; Avvo profile]​

• Civil litigation: His practice extends to civil matters such as evictions, writs of possession, quiet title actions, and partition actions, reflecting a diversified portfolio that includes both trial-focused criminal defense and property/real estate litigation. [Source: The Firm]​

• Client-focused philosophy: Public-facing materials emphasize aggressive, trial-tested representation and a willingness to go to trial to secure favorable results, underscoring a courtroom-centric strategy. [Source: Yelp/Biz pages and firm site]​

Professional affiliations and recognition

• Bar admissions and professional involvement: Ladd has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2003, with admission to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and involvement with local bar associations and related professional networks. These affiliations support ongoing engagement with the local legal community and continuing professional development. [Source: The Firm; Avvo]​

• Community and client outreach: The firm’s client testimonials and public profiles portray a practitioner who emphasizes personalized, aggressive representation and a track record of handling both criminal and civil matters, including cases involving negligence and elder exploitation. [Source: Testimonials page; Yelp profile]​

Professional summary

Matthew E. Ladd is a Miami-based attorney whose career path spans frontline prosecution, legislative drafting, and private practice in criminal defense and civil litigation. 

His courtroom experience, combined with legislative insight, informs a defense strategy that seeks to uncover police misconduct, exploit legal loopholes when appropriate, and pursue vigorous trial advocacy. He operates The Law Office of Matthew E. Ladd, P.A., with a practice that marries criminal defense in state and federal courts to civil actions such as evictions, quiet titles, and negligence claims, reflecting a comprehensive approach to protecting clients’ interests. [Source: The Firm; Avvo; LinkedIn; Yelp]​

The Crime Times attorney-review board conducted an in-depth review of this lawyer's cases, experience, reputation and newsworthy matters to compile our lawyer due-diligence report which you can find here.  

Ryan Kees Higgins is a seasoned trial attorney and litigator licensed in both NY and Texas.  Our research indicates that Ryan Higgins has litigated on behalf of The Venetian Hotel and several other high profile clients and matters.  

He has been quoted in several publications including here.