MURPHY & DOWNS - Key Persons
A POA delegates your legal authority to someone else. If incapacitated or mentally incompetent, the trusted person makes decisions on your behalf both in day-to-day events and in emergency situations. If you do not have a POA and can no longer act for yourself, a guardianship action will have to be filed to have someone appointed to act for you.
Attorney Jason S. Downs has been recognized nationally by Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star. While up to 5% of attorneys in a state may be named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5% are named to the Rising Stars list. Jason has also been recognized as Top 100 by The National Trial Lawyers®, Client's Choice by Avvo®, "Superb" by Avvo®. , "Top Attorney" by Avvo®., and Top Contributor by Avvo®. Mr. Downs is also rated "10" by Avvo®, which is the highest rating an attorney can obtain.
Mr. Downs has been a Brevard County resident since his family migrated from Ohio in 1983. After working as an EMT, Mr. Downs began his legal career. He began working in criminal defense as a paralegal before transitioning to becoming an independent legal analyst and brief author. As a legal analyst, Mr. Downs was retained by many Florida criminal defense attorneys to lend his skills in formulating winning defense strategies. His acumen for successfully directing cases was in high demand. Mr. Downs authored countless successful motions to suppress evidence and motions to dismiss charges. He is also the author of dozens of prevailing appeals in all levels of the Florida Court system and in the Supreme Court of the United States. Many of Mr. Downs's appeals resulted in published opinions.
After years of encouragement from some of Brevard County's most respected attorneys, Mr. Downs began his law school career at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Tampa, Florida. There, Mr. Downs excelled, earning Certificates of Merit for achieving the highest marks in Florida Drunk Driving Law and Practice, Appellate Advocacy, Trial Skills, Legal Research and Writing, and Torts. He also successfully completed a directed legal study in Criminal Defense. Mr. Downs competed nationally in Moot Court competitions, was a distinguished member of the Moot Court Board, and was the winner of the coveted Melissa Mitchell Moot Court Competition. Mr. Downs graduated cum laude after earning Dean's List and Honor Roll honors in each semester and he did so while completing law school in only 2 years.
Upon graduating with his Juris Doctor degree, Mr. Downs joined Murphy's Law Offices, P.A. as a Law Clerk under the tutelage of highly regarded Attorney John C. Murphy. After proving himself, Mr. Downs was made partner and the firm name changed to Murphy & Downs.
While some attorneys advertise the fact that they began their career working for the State, Mr. Downs has dedicated 100% of his professional career working to Defend the Accused.
John Murphy is a former judge and knows how to win your case.
Mr. Murphy has been a member of the Florida Bar for over 37 years. He has handled thousands of criminal cases. Put his experience to work for you! John stays current on criminal law developments through continuing education by The Florida Bar, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National College of DUI Defense. Put him to work for you!
Mr. Murphy served thirty (30) years in the US Army Reserve and the Florida National Guard proudly serving in the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets). He commanded numerous units from Special Forces Operational Detachment-A (A-Team) with 12 soldiers to a Civil Affairs Brigade with over 800 soldiers. He did back-to-back combat tours in Afghanistan where he was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB), Bronze Star and the Joint Services Commendation Medal. A combat hardened warrior!
John Murphy opened a new office of Murphy & Downs Law Office in Ponte Vedra in St. Johns County. Here Mr. Murphy aggressively defends in criminal defense law and excels in estate law.
Tyler J. Murphy is a lifelong Brevard County and Melbourne Beach resident. He grew up working for his family's prestigious accounting firm where he assisted in financial planning, estate planning, tax accounting, and business organization. Tyler is an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment and owns his own ammunition company. Tyler represents our clients in Estate Planning, Personal Injury, White-Collar Crime, Corporate Law, Space Law, and Civil & Corporate Litigation matters.