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Home My Public Portal About12-8485 Christopher Benjamin for Additional Special Master Sponsored by: City Attorney Resolution No. 12-8485 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, TO NAME ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER BENJAMIN AS AN ADDITIONAL SPECIAL MASTER; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Opa-locka desires to employ an additional Special Master; and WHEREAS, Christopher Benjamin, is an attorney who graduated cum laude from Florida Memorial University, and would be an excellent candidate for the position, see attached Curricum vitae, Exhibit"A"; and WHEREAS, a need exists to name an additional Special Master; and WHEREAS, Attorney Christopher Benjamin has experience in the area of Code Enforcement law; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Opa-locka desires to name Attorney Christopher Benjamin as an additional Special Master on the same terms that the City utilizes for existing Special Master. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals to the preamble herein are incorporated by reference. Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka hereby name attorney Christopher Benjamin as an additional Special Master, on the same terms as existing Special Master. Resolution No. 12-8485 Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of November, 2012. 6400(i- M,'' TAYLOR MAYOR Attest to: r-A Ji.nna Flores City Clerk Approved as to form and legal sufficiency: Jos:f . ice ler Ci , Atto ey Moved by: Commissioner Holmes Seconded by: Vice Mayor Kelley Commission Vote: 5-0 Commissioner Holmes: Yes Commissioner Johnson: Yes Commissioner Santiago: Yes Vice-Mayor Kelley: Yes Mayor Taylor: Yes CHRISTOPHER E. BENJAMIN 18851 NE 29th Avenue, Suite 700 PMB 168 Aventura,Florida 33180;Mailing Address: PO Box 694011,Miami,Florida 33269 (305)407-1179 Direct Line (786)463-4606 Facsimile; (954)790-7221 Cellular cbenjamin@thebarrister.net EDUCATION St.Thomas University School of Law,Miami,FL Juris Doctorate,May 2001 Member of the Florida Bar:#561029 Honors: Florida Bar Foundation Scholarship Who's Who Among American Law Students St.Thomas University School of Law Moot Court Board Peter T.Fay American Inns of Court Student Bar Association,Senator Southern Region of National Black Law Student Association, Treasurer Florida Memorial University,Miami,FL B.A.,Political Science/Public Administration, 1998 Honors: Dean's List Herman Dreer Leadership/Scholarship All American Collegiate Scholar Student Government Association, Senior Class President & Attorney General of Student Disciplinary Council Christopher Benjamin Day(Proclamation from the City Council of Opa Locka,Florida) Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc.(State,District&International),Undergraduate of the Year EXPERIENCE The Barrister Firm,P.A.,Aventura,Florida Managing Shareholder(June 2002 present) •First chair responsibility in over 200 cases •Conduct depositions •Prepare pretrial discovery requests •Conduct client interviews •Supervise supporting staff •Manage office operations •Practice in the Areas of:commercial litigation,foreclosure litigation,commercial and residential real estate transactions(including title work),bankruptcy,criminal litigation,employment and labor,personal injury litigation,collections and family litigation. TH Administration of Courts/11 Judicial Circuit-Traffic Division,Miami,Florida Hearing Officer(January 2011 present) As a traffic hearing officer,I perform the task of taking and evaluating evidence and testimony from witnesses,making findings of fact and conclusions of law. Traffic hearing officers conduct both pretrial hearings and infraction trials for civil traffic infractions,parking infractions,Florida's Sunpass toll infractions and general toll infractions. Traffic hearing officers hear between 100-425 cases per docket and hear cases once or twice a week(with 6-7 dockets per day). City of North Miami/Nuisance Abatement Board,N.Miami,Florida Legal Advisor(December 2010—present) Provide counsel to the City's nuisance abate board with regards to procedures,rules of evidence and statutory interpretation pertaining to issues coming before the Board. The Title Experts of South Florida,Inc.,Miami Gardens,Florida Attorney/CEO(August 2004-June 2010) Providing real estate transactional services such as;title searches,title examinations,encumbrance and ownership reports and title opinions. Providing supervision of personnel performing closings and escrow services. CHRISTOPHER E. BENJAMIN 18851 NE 29th Avenue, Suite 700 PMB 168 Aventura,Florida 33180;Mailing Address: PO Box 694011,Miami,Florida 33269 (305)407-1179 Direct Line (786)463-4606 Facsimile; (954)790-7221 Cellular cbenjamin @thebarrister.net Florida Memorial University,Miami,Florida Adjunct Professor(July 2001-July 2006) Taught various undergraduate courses such as business law,public administration,and criminal justice. TH Administration of Courts/11 Judicial Circuit-Family Division,Miami,Florida Case Manager(February 2002-July 2002) Assisted the Judges in reviewing the cases filed in their divisions,for accuracy and completeness,in order to ensure that cases progressed through the system in an efficient manner.These cases included divorces,name changes,adoptions,child support/visitation,and paternities. Scheduled the Judges'uncontested matters for final hearings and all other matters for case management and/or status conferences. Prepared various orders and final judgments as per the Judges'request. Miami-Dade County Public Defender's Office,Miami,Florida Certified Legal Intern(July 2000-May 2001) Performed research. Conducted client interviews and depositions. Drafted and argued diapositive motions. Litigated jury and bench trials in the felony and juvenile divisions. Brown Law Group,P.A.,Miami,FL Law Clerk/Associate(June 2000-June 2002) Performed research and draft motions, complaints, and answers on various areas of law including Family Law, Probate, Entertainment, Criminal Defense, and Personal Injury. Handle client relations including client interviews and all correspondences to clients Douthit Law Firm,P.A.,Miami,FL Law Clerk(April 2000-August 2000) Performed research and drafted reports and appellate briefs on various areas of law including Bankruptcy, Dependency, Criminal,and Commercial Litigation. Assisted with interoffice operations. Judge Wilkie D.Ferguson,Jr.,Ft.Lauderdale,Florida Summer Clerkship(June 1999-September 1999) Performed research and reviewed causes of action in order to advise the Judge on the various points of law argued by the parties. Wrote proposed summary judgments, directed verdicts, and memorandums of law to assist the Judge in his final drafts. Assisted with interoffice operations. Congressional Black Caucus Foundation(CBCF)Internship,Washington,D.C. Congressional Internship, Congresswoman Carrie Meek(June 1997-September 1997) Assisted with interoffice operations, researched legislative issues, attended meetings/hearings, wrote constituent correspondence letters and assisted with legislative drafting. Irving Fryar Foundation,Inc.,Coral Gables,FL Assistant Executive Director(April 1996-May 1998) Performed research,wrote grants and developed at-risk youth programs. Supervised and evaluated employees. Conducted board meetings and assisted with interoffice operations. Assisted with public relation and fund raising campaigns. United States Army,Ft.Meade,Maryland Dental Specialist(June 1991-August/994) Assisted in routine dental examinations and operations. Managed the operations of the dental x-ray department. Assisted in the management of a staff of twenty(20). Maintained and reported on equipment valuing over$250,000. Received the Army Achievement Medal and an honorable discharge. CHRISTOPHER E. BENJAMIN 18851 NE 29`h Avenue, Suite 700 PMB 168 Aventura,Florida 33180;Mailing Address: PO Box 694011,Miami,Florida 33269 (305)407-1179 Direct Line (786)463-4606 Facsimile; (954)790-7221 Cellular cbenjamin@thebarrister.net LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS Florida Supreme Court Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator Supreme Court of the United States of America United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida(including the Bankruptcy Court) United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida Real Estate Broker Title Insurance Agent(with the FUND since 2003) Notary Public MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS The Florida Bar •Family Law Rules Committee(2009-2011) Dade County Bar Association •Solo/Small Firm Committee Co-Chairman(2012-2013) •Juvenile Court Committee Chairman(2010-2011) •Legal Aid Committee Vice Chairman(2005-2006) Florida Muslim Bar Association •President(2011-2012) Wilkie D.Ferguson,Jr.Bar Association a/k/a Black Lawyers Association •President(2009-2010) NAACP,Dade County Branch • 2nd Vice President(2011-2012) •Legal Redress Committee Chairman(2005-present) Florida Memorial University National Alumni Association •General Counsel(2010-present) Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc.,Florida Statewide Organization •State Counselor/Attorney(2004-2006) North Dade Bar Association Broward County Bar Association TJ Reddick Bar Association(Broward County Black Lawyers) Cuban American Bar Association Haitian Lawyers Association Federal Bar Association National Association of Hearing Officials Florida Association of Professional Mediators Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity,Inc. 5000 Role Models of Excellence 100 Black Men of South Florida,Inc. American Legion F&AM and AASR CHRISTOPHER E. BENJAMIN 18851 NE 29th Avenue, Suite 700 PMB 168 Aventura,Florida 33180;Mailing Address: PO Box 694011,Miami,Florida 33269 (305)407-1179 Direct Line (786)463-4606 Facsimile; (954)790-7221 Cellular cbenjamin@thebarrister.net HONORS South Florida Business Journal 40 under 40 Legacy Magazine Top 40 under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 40 under 40 Outstanding Lawyers of Miami-Dade County Listed in ALM: South Florida's Top Rated Attorneys National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 Super Lawyers Rising Star AV Preeminent Attorney(Martindale-Hubbell) AVVO.com(rated Superb) Marquis Who's Who in America 67th Edition International Who's Who of Entrepreneurs Florida Memorial University President's Fountain of Excellence Outstanding Young Alumni(National Alumni Council/UNCF) Outstanding Pro Bono Award(Put Something Back Program-Dade County Bar Association) PRO BONO ACTIVITIES Miami-Dade Legal Aid: Put Something Back Legal Services of Greater Miami:Small Claims Clinic Volunteer Lawyers Project for the Southern District of Florida Lawyers for Children of America Teen Court(Dade and Broward) William Dandy Middle School Law Magnate Program(Sponsor/Mentor) CURRICULM VITAE r ,1� CHRISTOPHER E. BENJAMIN, Miami, Florida PHONE: (305) 407-1179 FACSIMILE: (786) 463-4606 Cellular: (954) 790-7221 EMAIL: cbenjamin @thebarrister.net Christopher E. Benjamin, the managing shareholder at The Barrister Firm, P.A., graduated cum laude from Florida Memorial University (the only historically black college in South Florida) with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Political Science in 1998 and St. Thomas University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 2001. Mr. Benjamin is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator. In addition, Mr. Benjamin has served as adjunct professor for his Alma matter, Florida Memorial University and taught in the areas of business and criminal law. A member of the Florida Bar, Mr. Benjamin serves as a Traffic Magistrate for the Traffic Division of the Dade County Court for the 11th Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida and is currently an appointee to the Miami-Dade County Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust; as well as Co-Chairman for the City of Miami Garden's Nuisance Abate Board. Mr. Benjamin -- a former member of the Consumer Protection Law Committee and Family Law Rules Committee of the Florida Bar -- is a staunch community advocate and has spent the last ten (10) years, helping families navigate the process of divorce, ensuring persons charged with a crime receive a fair trial and zealous representation, helping protect the civil rights of the discriminated, helping the injured find redress, 11 CURRICULM VITAE helping small business owners establish their businesses, helping the low-to-moderate income residents of Florida find affordable access to the courts and helping litigants find alternatives to resolving their disputes. Areas of Practice: Administrative Bankruptcy Civil Litigation Commercial Litigation Construction Law Consumer Law Civil Rights Criminal Defense Corporations Domestic Relations Entertainment Estate Planning Family Law Foreclosure Government Guardianship Insurance Litigation Employment Non-Profit Personal Injury Probate Public Benefits Real Estate Transactions/Litigation Social Security/Disability UCC Litigation (Articles 3 & 4) Worker's Compensation Arbitration Mediation Bar Admissions: Florida Bar Supreme Court of the United States of America U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida (U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida) Alternative Dispute Resolution Affiliations: Salmon & Dulberg, Dispute Resolution Panelist; Mediator, Arbitrator and Windstorm Umpire Commercial Litigation, Employment, Foreclosure, Family, Insurance, Real Estate, Bankruptcy and Construction National Center for Dispute Settlement Panelist; Arbitrator and Mediator Auto, Corporate, Elections, Real Property, Domestic Relations and Labor Financial Industry Regulatory Agency (FINRA) Panelist;Arbitrator Securities Exchange Commission Disputes 2IPage CURRICULM VITAE American Arbitration Association Panelist; Foreclosure Mediator Foreclosure mediation for the Eighth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Judicial Circuits' Foreclosure Mediation Program. Florida Department of Financial Services Independent Contractor; Mediator Insurance Claim Disputes Collins Center for Public Policy, Inc. Independent Contractor; Foreclosure Mediator Foreclosure mediation for First, Eleventh & Nineteenth Judicial Circuits' Foreclosure Mediation Program Seventeenth Circuit Court, Broward County, FL, Mediation Division Independent Contractor; Mediator and Arbitrator Small Claims, County, Family, Circuit Civil and Arbitration Florida Department of Condominiums, Timeshares & Mobile Homes Mediator's List (Pro Bono & Fee) Licenses/Certifications: Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator(County, Family, Circuit Civil and Appellate) Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator Florida Real Estate Broker • Certified Property Management Specialist • Accredited Buyer's Representative Candidate Title Insurance Agent • Attorney's Title Insurance Fund (The FUND) Florida Notary Public Education: St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami Gardens, Florida, 2001, Juris Doctorate Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, Florida, 1998, Bachelor of Arts Classes/Seminars Taught: Adjunct Professor, Florida Memorial University, Business and Criminal Law Adjunct Professor, City College, Business Law, Criminal Law, Torts and Contracts Florida Bar's Volunteer Bar Leaders Seminar, What are the Issues Facing Minority Bars Commissioner Barbara Jordan's; Keep Your Home Seminar 2008 (Panel Speaker) Liberty City Trust's; Foreclosure Workshop 2008 (Legal Presenter) Harvest Fire Church; Foreclosure Prevention Empowerment (Speaker) LSAC; Why Law School 2008 (Panel Speaker) Commissioner Javier Soto's; Foreclosure Workshop 2009 (Panel Speaker) 31 CURRICULM VITAE St. Thomas University School of Leadership Studies; Why is Education Important 2011 (Keynote Speaker) Publications/Writings: The Truth About Florida's Stand Your Ground Law; reported by: In Focus Magazine, Columbus New Times, dallasweekly.com, copylinemagazine.com, urbanmediatoday.com, sharenews.com, g987fm.com and (interviewed by: Lawtalk, The Bachelor Pad and The Community Defender with Brother Adrian) Honors and Awards: Listed in ALM's: South Florida's Top Rated Attorneys Marquis: Who's Who in America 67th Edition Legacy Magazine: South Florida's 40 under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow South Florida Business Journal: 40 under 40 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: 40 under 40 Outstanding Lawyers in Miami-Dade National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 Super Lawyers: 2012 Rising Stars Martindale Hubbell: AV Preeminent Attorney AWO.com: Attorney rating of Superb International Historical Society: Who's Who of Entrepreneurs 2007 Florida Memorial University: President's Fountain of Excellence National Republican Congressional Committee: Order of Merit (2006) National Alumni Council/UNCF: Outstanding Young Alumni Put Something Back Program: Outstanding Pro Bono Award Professional Associations and Memberships: Florida Bar: Consumer Protection Committee: 2004-2006 Family Law Rules Committee: 2008-2010 Dade County Bar Association: Solo/Small Firm Co-Chairman (2012-2013) Juvenile Court Committee Chairman (2009-2010) Florida Muslim Bar Association: President: 2011-2012 Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association (f/k/a Black Lawyers Association): President: 2009-2010 Virgil Hawkins Florida Bar Association for the National Bar Association North Dade Bar Association Broward County Bar Association TJ Reddick Bar Association Cuban American Bar Association 41 CURRICULM VITAE Federal Bar Association National Association of Hearing Officers Florida Association of Professional Mediators National Association of Realtors Florida Association of Realtors Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce Community & Civic Organizations and Associations: N.A.A.C.P. Miami-Dade Branch: Vice President Legal Redress Committee Chairman Greater Miami Urban League (Posse) 100 Black Men of South Florida 5000 Role Models of Excellence American Legion (Post 98) James E. Scott Community Association (J.E.S.C.A.): Board of Directors: 2003-2010 Miami-Dade Chapter of Sickle Cell of America: General Counsel Florida Memorial University National Alumni Association: General Counsel Keep Miami Beautiful, Inc. An affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc: Chairman of Board of Directors: 2010-2011 Portraits of Empowerment Foundation: Vice Chairman of Board of Directors: 2010-2011 Pro Bono/Community Service Activities: Guardian Ad Litem Put Something Back (Legal Aid Society) Small Claims Clinic (Legal Services of Greater Miami) Lawyers for Children of America Volunteer Lawyers Project for the Southern District of Florida Miami-Dade County Mock Trial Competition Jessup International Moot Court Competition 51 CURRICULM VITAE Justice Teaching Program Teen Court (Miami-Dade/Broward County) William Dandy Middle School (Law Magnate Program) Fraternities: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. F&AM/AASR (South Miami Lodge 308 & Valley of Miami) Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Inc. 6I