About

Arthur “Marty” McNeil, the son of a US Army Veteran and an Educator, was raised in Fayetteville, NC. From humble beginnings he has always set big goals, and mentored others. As a child he fell in love with Florida and declared to one day call it home.

That declaration was realized when his legal career began at the Miami Dade Public Defender’s Office, and Miami became his home. Throughout his career as a trial attorney Marty has tried over 65 cases, mostly jury trials through verdict, and litigated countless motions. He has litigated cases ranging from simple second-degree misdemeanors, Civil Injunctions, Breach of Contract, to very complex mandatory life felonies.

His work ethic and trial skills as an Assistant Public Defender lead him to be promoted to a Felony Training Attorney, who trained young attorneys on all matters of client centered representation.

His dedication as a Training Attorney led him to be promoted to Senior Supervising Attorney in an office with more than 200 attorneys. In this role he supervised as many as 20 young and experienced attorneys. Some of his duties were caseload management; handling disciplinary matters; resolving conflicts between attorneys, judges, and clients; assisting in management decisions; and implementing office policy throughout the COVID Pandemic which ushered in substantial changes to the legal practice.

Prior to Marty’s leadership roles as an Assistant Public Defender, he was a sole practitioner (2008-2016) who managed his own law firm and counseled clients on a wide range of matters. As a private attorney Marty litigated both criminal and civil cases from Palm Beach to Miami Dade County. He also became a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Court Mediator and mediated mortgage foreclosures during the nationwide foreclosure crisis.

Marty’s passion for justice led him to realize the importance of a balanced judiciary that represents the community as a whole. He has appeared before many judges over his career and witnessed firsthand the significance of fair and proven jurists who seek justice.

Growing up Marty’s parents instilled in him many important values, most encompassing was a responsibility to the community. In High School he mentored Behaviorally and Emotionally Handicapped Students at his school, and elementary children. In college Marty was a member of student government, co-captain of the wrestling team, officer in his fraternity, and summer Beach Patrol as an Ocean Lifeguard. While attending Howard University School of Law Marty helped establish and was Treasurer of Howard’s Public Interest Law Society, was a member of the Christian Legal Society, and a Student Attorney in the Criminal Justice Clinic.

Marty also met his wife at Howard University School of Law. For the past 21 years they have made South Florida their home and are the proud parents of one son, a rescue dog, and a tortoise. In his personal life Marty enjoys the great outdoors-from scuba diving and boating to hunting and grilling, -and spending time with family.

Marty recognizes the assertion that “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice…” is a call to action. Marty’s life has been guided by Shirley Chisolm’s quote that “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” Join him in making progress by voting for Arthur “Marty” McNeil for Circuit Court Judge, Group 5.