Todd J. Murgo - Tampa, FL

Attorney Todd J. Murgo is a trial-tested criminal appellate attorney who thrives in high-stakes federal and state criminal appellate litigation across the State of Florida. Mr. Murgo is the federal and state criminal appellate lawyer corporations, professionals, and people trust when the exposure is real, the facts are messy, and there is no margin for error. Mr. Murgo is a convicted defendant’s first chance for a second chance.

Mr. Murgo has built his federal and state criminal practice by compassionately and efficiently taking control of any case he accepts. Mr. Murgo does not wait for problems to escalate further - he drives his federal and state criminal appellate strategy from day one, forcing the case onto his terms and keeping his clients ahead of risk, cost, and reputation fallout.

Mr. Murgo has independently managed an appellate docket in both state and federal court, defending individuals who have already seen their previous attorneys fail. Mr. Murgo is frequently called in to handle high-exposure criminal appellate matters because he combines aggressive advocacy with a clear view of what “winning” means for each client. Mr. Murgo understands that an incarcerated client and his family need not only a great appellate lawyer, but also one that cares.

Before joining O’Brien Hatfield as partner, Mr. Murgo was recognized by his prior law firm (Freeman Mathis and Gary) with selection to its elite 2024 Top Gun Trial Academy. Mr. Murgo is committed to sharp, impactful appellate performance backed by meticulous preparation. He is the lawyer who will dissect the record, pressure test the opposition’s theory, and then deliver a clean, confident presentation to appellate courts.

Mr. Murgo earned his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he served as Executive Research Editor for the Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy and repeatedly made the Dean’s List. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the University of Tampa, giving him a strong foundation in the dynamics of criminal conduct, investigations, and prosecutions.

An experienced legal writer, Mr. Murgo co-authored “Are You Recording Me? Establishing a First Amendment Right to Capture On-Duty Police Officers through the Smart Phone Era” for the Anti-Defamation League, reflecting his ability to engage cutting-edge constitutional issues at a high level. That same analytical edge now underpins his appellate litigation strategies and his ability to quickly isolate the pressure points in any case. Mr. Murgo’s appellate approach is direct, decisive, and relentlessly focused on results.

Mr. Murgo admitted to practice in the State of Florida, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.