Peter
Schoenthal
Peter Schoenthal is a skilled criminal defense attorney who has dedicated his life to his passion; trials. Peter believes that a criminal defense attorney must not only embrace but thrive while in trial in order to fully serve one’s clients.
Trial is deemed as a dying art as numbers have dropped over the years. However, this is an art form he has dedicated his life to in order to best serve those he represents. Peter describes himself as an “old-school attorney with a new aged approach.” This means he embraces trials and the benefits they provide while using a modern approach as he prepares cases from the ground up.
Peter began his career at the prestigious Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office where he represented clients who were charged with low-level misdemeanors to first degree felonies. Peter earned his reputation by excelling in the courtroom, specifically in trial, and his penchant for winning difficult cases involving domestic violence offenses, gun offenses, drug offenses, burglary offenses and other high end crimes. In his first year alone, he took 14 cases to a jury, an unprecedented number causing his reputation to proliferate through the litigation community. As a result, he is often consulted and collaborates on serious cases where he is acclaimed for his trial tactics as well as his negotiation skills.
In addition to criminal defense, Peter has managed commercial litigation, business litigation, contract disputes and other complex cases. Peter has represented clients in personal injury matters as well as medical malpractice suits. Peter uses his experience in the civil field to provide a modern and different approach to his criminal practice whether it be during negotiation, case preparation, or even trial.
Additionally, while in law school, Peter was a clerk at Legal Services of Greater Miami: Tenant’s Rights Clinic where he represented disadvantaged people when the Government sought to take away their subsidized housing. Here, he learned from experienced attorneys, participated in mediations and negotiations where his clients' housing rights were on the line. While clerking, he realized that his true calling was criminal defense work. Peter wanted to fight for individuals and give them a voice when the Government sought to take away their freedom.
Peter is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law. While at the University of Miami, Peter excelled as a Dean’s List student, and received Honors, the highest possible grade, in Litigation Skills which grades ones trial and pre-trial skills. Prior to law school, Peter graduated from Florida State University where he received two majors and received multiple Dean’s Lists Awards as well. He is a member of The Florida Bar, and is admitted to practice federally in the The Southern District of Florida.
When not practicing law, Peter’s passion comes from his community outreach. Peter has coached youth football in Miami-Dade County since his days in law school. Peter also teaches and forms bonds with his young athletes. He has become an integral part of their lives. Currently, his main focus is on helping young student-athletes seek exposure and earn college scholarships. Furthermore, Peter is involved with local charities. In 2016, Peter became a member of Blue Mission’s Board of Directors. Blue Missions is a local Miami Non-Profit that connects communities with access to clean water & sanitation while cultivating a generation of global citizens through service-driven travel.