Bill Heffernan has been a criminal lawyer since graduating from the University of Florida College of Law in 1972. While in law school, Bill developed a keen interest in the criminal area and served as a student intern under the tutelage of Eugene Whitworth, Esq., who later became State Attorney of the 8th Judicial Circuit. Upon graduation, Bill accepted a position as an Assistant State Attorney in the 18th Judicial Circuit in Seminole County, Florida, and due to his intense work ethic, devotion and charisma, was quickly elevated to a position in the Felony Trial Division, where he remained until 1977. During that time, Bill was responsible for numerous high-profile prosecutions and earned a reputation as a tough but fair prosecutor amongst his peers. In 1977, after a brief foray into politics, Bill established a private practice specializing in criminal defense with another former prosecutor and friend, Mark Rabinowitz. For the next 11 years, Bill and Mark developed a criminal practice in both state and federal courts in the central and southern districts of Florida. Bill and Mark rose to prominence for their vigorous defense strategies and were engaged in several high-profile criminal trials during this period. In 1988, Bill finally succumbed to the lure of the Florida Keys, closed out his practice, sold his house, moved onto his trawler and headed for Marathon. After six months of "retirement" Bill realized he desperately missed both the practice of law and court appearances. He applied for a position as Assistant Public Defender in the 16th Judicial Circuit, and was assigned to manage the Marathon office. In 1990, the State Attorney's Office decided to cut their losses and hire Bill as the manager of their Marathon office. He held this position until 1993. At that point in time, he received an offer from the Cunningham Law Firm, the oldest law firm in the Florida Keys, to join them as a criminal litigator. Bill's reputation in the Keys was well known by this time, and by 1993, he had prosecuted, or defended, a large percentage of the community. Bill's approachability and charismatic personality served him well once again in a private practice. From 1993 through today, Bill has handled a wide variety of criminal cases, including environmental infractions, groundings, DUIs, driver license suspensions, aggravated batteries and attempted murders. In June of 2002, Bill moved into his new offices at 9703 Overseas Highway here in Marathon. He and his staff are enjoying their beautiful new offices and are practicing law in a true Keys environment, with Bogey, his Macaw parrot and Elvis, the office greeter and mascot. Bill is privileged to have Nina, his wife of 34 years as his office manager and Mary Beth as his legal assistant. They stand ready to continue to provide quality legal services in the area of criminal defense.
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