Richard Escobar - Tampa, FL

Richard "Rick" Escobar is the founding partner of Escobar, Michaels & Associates. He holds degrees from the University of South Florida (Bachelor of Arts, 1979) and Nova Southeastern College of Law (Juris Doctorate, 1983). Mr. Escobar was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1983. He also holds memberships in National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Association, and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Rick is admitted to practice in all State of Florida Circuit and County Courts, all State of Florida appellate district courts, the Florida Supreme Court, the United States Supreme Court, and the United States Middle District of Florida. He has also practiced before the United States District Court of Texas, the United States District Court of South Carolina, United States District Court of Tennessee, and the United States Military Court.

Richard Escobar has practiced law since 1983. He began the practice of law as a prosecutor in the office of the State Attorney for Hillsborough County, Florida. Rick was quickly promoted to lead the trial attorney's in the Felony division where he attained the position of Lead Felony Trial Prosecutor. He became recognized as one of the most aggressive and successful major crimes prosecutor for this office. Rick was known in the Prosecutor's Office to select the most difficult major crimes to prosecute. Rick successfully prosecuted thousands of cases for this office including many major Homicides, Racketeering, Drug Trafficking, Sexual Batteries, and White Collar Crime Cases.

In 1986, Richard Escobar started his private practice with a specific focus on criminal defense. Rick has enjoyed great success in all facets of criminal defense in both state and federal cases. He has practiced throughout the state of Florida, in both state and federal cases, as well as, in the states of Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, California, and Ohio. A great deal of his practice focuses on defending Drug Trafficking crimes, Racketeering crimes, violent crimes including Homicide and White Collar, Theft and Fraud Crimes. Rick is recognized as an aggressive, passionate and thorough criminal defense practitioner. His belief is that only through aggressive investigations and thorough trial preparations can one maximize the probability of a positive resolution of criminal cases. Rick has earned an AV preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards. He has also been recognized by The National Law Journal and Tampa Bay Magazine in the "Top Lawyers of Tampa". While he is proud of these honors his greatest satisfaction is the achieving justice for his clients. Rick believes that success can only happen when one out works your opponent. Rick also employs the finest investigators, forensic experts, and support professionals to accomplish this goal.

Richard Escobar was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and is married and has two children. Richard is an avid international sport fisherman. He competes internationally in billfishing tournaments throughout the world. He has fished the waters of Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Bahamas, and the United States, predominantly, for trophy Marlin and Sailfish. Richard is also an avid tennis and basketball player. Additionally, he has coached youth baseball, football, and basketball teams. He is active in many local civic associations, and has held positions on the Mental Health Care Incorporated Board of Directors, and The University of South Florida Athletics Board of Directors, the University of South Florida Green Jacket Alumni Association, and the Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago.