Joseph F. DeBelder

Jacksonville, FL

Mr. DeBelder’s practice focuses on representing employees, litigating civil rights violations, criminal defense, and commercial litigation. Mr. DeBelder has extensive trial and litigation experience, having been lead counsel in over 30 felony criminal trials as well as having litigated numerous employment and civil rights claims in state and federal courts and agencies. Mr. DeBelder has also litigated commercial matters in various courts throughout the country.

Prior to joining Henrichsen Siegel, Mr. DeBelder litigated for eight years as an assistant public defender in Jacksonville, Florida. In that position, Mr. DeBelder was most recently assigned to the office’s Homicide Division, representing clients charged with First and Second Degree Murder. Mr. DeBelder was also a supervisor of the Special Defense Unit, which represented clients accused of the most serious and complex non-homicide charges. Prior to joining the Homicide Division, Mr. DeBelder had been supervisor of the Repeat Offender Court division and a supervisor of a felony division. Mr. DeBelder has also worked as an associate attorney in a law firm that specialized in appellate practice, gaining experience in complex federal appeals.

Mr. DeBelder has been recognized for his work with several awards and recognitions, including being named Employee of the Year by the Public Defender’s Office as well as having been awarded a Florida Bar scholarship to attend a trial advocacy program in Oxford, England. Additionally, Mr. DeBelder has been an instructor at the PPD trial training program in Gainesville, Florida.

Mr. DeBelder received his Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law in 1999. He received his B.A. in History and Political Science, magna cum laude, from Florida State University. Mr. DeBelder is admitted to practice in the State of Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Mr. DeBelder can be reached at jdebelder@hslawyers.com.