Representative Office
Resume:
Joshua H. Sheskin, Esq., M.A.
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December 10, 2014
Dear Hiring Attorney(s),
The traits that set me apart from other attorneys include my regular and real courtroom experience, strong
research and writing abilities, extensive skill in using inductive and deductive logic, the application of such
logic to fact specific scenarios, statutes and rulings, and a keen eye for what persuades judges, opposing
counsel, and jurors.
I have used my well-honed skills in identifying the key arguments that will persuade judges and juries and
discredit my opponents to resolve cases that remained unresolved for years before my involvement . Within
weeks of my involvement, cases were settled in favorable terms to my clients.
In State of Florida v. Hasani Brooks, for example, I took over as lead counsel after the case had been
pending in the system for almost three years; held up by the client’s refusal to accept the best deal offered
to any of the three former attorneys of 42 years in prison. In less than two weeks, I identified the common
weakness in a series of charges. I undermined the credibility of the Witness Tampering Probable Life
Felony, which unraveled the case for Victim Tampering, Capital Witness Harassment, Impersonating a
Law Enforcement Officer and The Probable Life Felony of Armed Robbery. This led The Prosecutor to
take our counter-offer of ten years, which my client, who the FBI identified as the former President of the
Harlem Bloods Gang, enthusiastically embraced.
Having practiced predominantly in Criminal Law I am uniquely adept in remonstrating with extremely
difficult clients. I am specifically adept at delivering bad news, selling my services to, gaining the trust of
and preparing for public appearance/speaking/cross-examination exceptionally difficult clients. As criminal
clients present a unique set of challenges, the experience of working with such high-stakes cases has made
me very effective in handling an array of legal matters in almost every court that I a m licensed to practice
in.
The invaluable skills of being able to effectively deal with the reconciliation of the prospect of guaranteed
prison, with individuals who already interact with society in ways deemed unacceptable, and trusting me
as their lawyer, has afforded me a specific aptitude for reconciling reality with volatile clients while
garnering the trust of those same clients.
All firms sell their services to clients on the premise that they are trustworthy and capable in the situation.
Your transactional capital to accomplish goals effectively depends on the continued trust and faith of the
client. I maintain, build and foster that trust in all of my attorney-client communications and interactions.
My presentations to the court are confident, polished and professional. I have been my own litigation
division for over three years and done exceptionally well. Nothing is more valuable to me than
preparedness, practice, professional ethics, work-ethic and pride in what I present.
I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss opportunities for applying my skills and strengths within
your firm.
Sincerely,
Joshua Howard Sheskin, Esq., M.A.
Joshua H. Sheskin, Esq., M.A.
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BAR ADMISSIONS
The State of Florida 2011, Bar #93028
The Southern District of Florida 2012
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW, Coral Gables, Florida
Degree: Juris Doctorate, cum laude, May 2011
GPA: 3.49/4.0, in the top 1/3 of the class
Activities: Phi Alpha Delta Criminal Law Society
Older Wiser Law Students (OWLS) Miami Innocence Project/Clinic
Honors: Book Award, Professional Responsibility 2010
Dean’s Certificate of Achievement Disability Law 2011
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, Coral Gables, Florida
Degree: Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies, May 2008
GPA: 3.86/4.0
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, Tallahassee, Florida
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Religion, cum laude, May 2004
GPA: 3.5/4.0
Activities: FSView and Florida Flambeau Newspaper News and Opinion Writer
Student Representative to the Community Board of Florida State University Hillel
Lead Strategist and Vice President of United Students
President of United Students
Honors: Admitted to FSU with a debate scholarship
Bright Futures Scholarship
Phi Sigma Theta Member Since 2000
The National Dean’s List award Recipient
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
CLE
Total Credits in Last Three Years- 72.5
Credits Devoted To Trial Practice and Criminal Practice- 44.5
EXPERIENCE
October 2011-Present
THE SHESKIN FIRM
Owner of The Sheskin Firm handling a variety of Federal, State & County cases.
CLI INTERNSHIP MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE Credited CLI March-May 2011
Represented Youthful Offenders and completed significant legal research and writing.
MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Clinical Internship May-August 2011
Assigned to Misdemeanor Division and helped at all levels of the prosecution of Misdemeanors
Joshua H. Sheskin, Esq., M.A.
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MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Legal Intern May-December 2009
Significant legal research and writing, case analysis and preparation, extensive courtroom observation and
assistance.
MIAMI INNOCENCE CLINIC/WORKSHOP Credited and Non-Credited 2009-2011
Representation of clients already convicted in Post-Conviction Relief Proceedings.
SAMPLE CASE EXPERIENCE:
SHESKIN FIRM CRIMINAL CASE SAMPLES:
United States v. Frankie Jermaine Anderson
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States
Theft of Government Money or Property
Aggravated Identity Theft
Arranged a plea in exchange for cooperation. USA dropped the aggravated identity theft charge, waived
minimum mandatories, recommended the low end of the guidelines, agreed not to prosecute Mr. Anderson’s
wife and mother, and agreed to a 5k1 or Rule 35b in exchange for cooperation.
United States of America v. Michel Quiroz & State of Florida v. Michel Quiroz
(Federal) Two Counts Hobbs Act Robbery
(Federal) One Count Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery
(State) Two Counts Probation Violation As a Habitual Violent Offender and Prison Re-
Release Offender
10 Years Federal Time Subject to Gain Time
United States v. Robert Charles Lamons
Negotiation of Rule 35b Motion for Testimony in Five Federal Capital Murder Cases.
In Progress.
State of Florida v. Michael Raphael Castillo
Four Counts of Having Sex with Certain Minors
Plea, 10 years “soft”
State of Florida v. Hasani Jahi Brooks
One Count Capital Witness Harassment
One Count Armed Robbery Probable Life Felony
One Count Firearm Carry by a Convicted Felon
One Count Armed Aggravated Battery with Severe Bodily Harm
One Count Witness Tampering Probable Life Felony
Two Counts Assault Aggravated Deadly Weapon
On Count Impersonate Law Enforcement Official
Two Counts Tamper with Victim
One Count Concealed Firearm Carry
Plea, 10 Years
Joshua H. Sheskin, Esq., M.A.
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State of Florida v. Robert Alwine
One Count Capital Sexual Battery on a Minor 12yrs or Younger
Pled to Attempted Sexual Contact with a Minor
Plea, 10 Years Under 1976 Gain Time Guidelines resulting in two years, with good behavior, after two years
credit for time served (total of four years under the guidelines), Ten Years Sex Offender Probation (subject to
early termination)
State of Florida v. Yeremis Ines Terras
One Count Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
One Count Felony Criminal Mischief $1000+
Plea, PTI-Nolle Pros
State of Florida v. Fernando Garcia
One Count Cocaine Possession
One Count Marijuana Possession
Plea, Withhold of Adjudication, 24 Hours Probation
State of Florida v. Derek Centola
One Count DUI, High Blow
Pretrial Diversion Drive Safe Program
State of Florida v. Derek Centola
One Count Battery While On PTD
Restored Pre-Trial Diversion with extra community service hours, and no record for either incident.
State of Florida v. Raul Barrera
One Count Possession of Marijuana Under 20 Grams.
With Hold because client refused to accept PTI or Drug Court
State of Florida v. Juan Suarez
One Count Marijuana Possession Under 20 Grams
PTI
State of Florida v. Joshua West
One Count Murder in the Second Degree
One Counted Attempted Murder in the First Degree
Guilty Verdict from Jury
State of Florida v. Jimmie Evans
One Count Murder in the Second Degree
Guilty Verdict from Jury
State of Florida v. Roberto Pena
One Count Aggravated Kidnapping with a Firearm
One Count Aggravated Kidnapping with a Deadly Weapon
One Count Conspiracy to Kidnap
One Count Concealed Firearm Carry
Joshua H. Sheskin, Esq., M.A.
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One Count Armed Robbery
One Count Conspiracy to Commit One Count Armed Robbery
Dropped for Non-Payment
State of Florida v. Benito Santiago
Two Counts Capital Murder
Pro Bono
Did not complete to trial due to complex client related issues.
THE SHESKIN FIRM CIVIL CASE EXPERIENCE:
Dream Couture Events v. Debra Anderson
Debra Anderson found not liable to Plaintiff at trial
Budget Rental Car v. Carlos Duran
Budget has failed to follow through on its claim after two years of negotiation
In The Matter of George Espinosa and Germain Toyota Scion
Client recovered all funds requested after negotiation
Wal-Mart v. Julia Maria Wellington
Civil Claim Related to the Shoplifting
Settled to Client’s Satisfaction
CoCo Plum at Jacaranda v. David and Norma Jean Rossner
Limited Representation - Injunction Action to Maintain Access to Community for Guests of Rossners’
Injunction Granted
In Re: Estate of Raul Zulon
Represented at many hearings over eight months the personal representative of an estate Elizabeth Zulon.
Dropped the representation due to ethical dilemmas regarding the client’s demands after completing sale of
main estate assets..
Southerland v. Benjamin
International Kidnapping Case under the Hague Convention
Pro-Bono through Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Southern District of Florida
Filed Case Brief, Motions and Hearing Representation
Parted ways with Client when it was discovered that the client had money for representation and my
representation was through VLP
Taffel v. Certain
Action to Enforce Promissory Note
Active Case
John Doe and the Parents of John Doe v. Michael Raphael Castillo
Complaint Alleging Severe Emotional Distress, Battery, Lost Wages, Lost Future Earnings, Loss of Future
Support, Loss of Companionship and Compensatory Damages.
Joshua H. Sheskin, Esq., M.A.
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Active Case
THE SHESKIN FIRM FAMILY LAW AND DEPENDENCY EXPERIENCE:
Albert v. Albert
Motion to Dismiss Arrearage of Child Support Granted
Munoz v. Munoz
Pro-Bono Agreed to Limited Representation
Hearing on Domestic Violence and Visitation
Several Motions and Hearings Having to Do with Custody and Arrearages in Child Support
Parents Entered Plan to Keep Children and for the Payment of Child Support, DCF Approved of Plan
Barrera v. Barrera
Active Case Nearing Mediated Settlement
Zuluga v. Zuluga
Final Dissolution Order Entered
THE SHESKIN FIRM BANKRUPTCY EXPERIENCE:
Orlando Vasquez
Discharged under Chapter Seven
Ivar Stumph Jr.
Voluntarily Dismissed, Reinstated, Voluntarily Dismissed For Failure of Client to Disclose all Assets
THE SHESKIN FIRM FORECLOSURE EXPERIENCE
Wells Fargo v. Shlomo and Cynthia Pascal
Mortgage Reinstated, and case dropped with Negotiated Arrearage Payments
REFERENCES
AUSA Christopher Clark Susan Stephan, Esq. Robert Barrar, Esq.,
99 NE Fourth St 22 Fernwood Drive, 6619 S. Dixie HWY #311
Suite 400 Rutland, MA, 01543 Miami, FL, 33143
Miami, FL, 33132-2111 508-***-**** 305-***-****
305-***-**** ***********@*****.*** *******@*********.***
***********.*****@*****.***
Teresa Williams, Esq.
12 S.E. 7th Street
Brian F. Spector, Esq.
P.O. Box 566206 Suite 703
Miami, Florida, 33256-6206 Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33301
*****@********.*** **************@*****.***
Joshua H. Sheskin, Esq., M.A.
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Patrick Trese, Esq. Carmen Vizcaino, Esq.
12 S.E. 7th Street 999 Ponce De Leon Blvd
Suite 703 Suite 1045
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33301 Coral Gables, FL, 33134
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