Elizabeth J. Loeffler
Services Handled
About
I was born and raised in Minnesota, and moved to Florida after law school. I worked as a prosecutor for over 20 years in Miami and Sarasota. Throughout the course of my career, I prosecuted every type of crime in Florida, from the most minor misdemeanor and traffic offenses to the most serious felonies, including homicides and crimes against children. Every person has fundamental rights that are guaranteed by the constitution, and I believe in fighting to make sure that all rights are safeguarded.
I have tried over 200 jury trials both as a prosecutor and as defense attorney, and I have litigated hundreds of motions of all kinds. I know exactly what kind of evidence is needed to prove a case, and I can tell when that evidence is lacking. I take aggressive action early on behalf of my clients. Far too many people get arrested after a shoddy investigation, and then the case is filed with unreliable or insignificant evidence, by prosecutors who don't have the experience or the courage to make the right decisions.
I often approach the prosecutors and explain the weaknesses in or defenses to the case, and I have been very successful in getting charges dropped before the case even makes it to court. It is better to prevent a bad decision from being made than try to reverse it after the fact. My goals are to ensure that my clients are never charged with any crime for which there is insufficient evidence, and to ensure that they are fully informed at every stage of the case.
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1996
Education
- Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa
- J.D. - 1996
- Honors: cum laude
- Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota
- B.A. - 1993
- Honors: cum laude
- Major: Philosophy
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Vice President, Sarasota Chapter, 04/2018 to Present
- Florida Bar, 05/1998 to Present
Past Employment Positions
- State Attorney's Office, Assistant State Attorney, 1997 to 2018
- Van Ness Law Group, Associate Attorney, 2018 to 2020
Pro Bono Activities
- Mentor, Booker High School Law Academy, 2019 to Present
Classes/Seminars
- Social Media Evidence: Collecting It and Ad, Family Court Professional Collaboration, 10/05/2018
- Key Points to Cross Examination, Family Court Professional Collaboration, 02/15/2019
- Police Academy Instructor, Sarasota County Technical Institute, 2006 to 2016
A Seasoned Criminal Defense Team Trusted By Thousands
Five-Star Reviews from Clients Like You
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"The best lawyer I have found"Brett is a very professional lawyer. He worked very hard on my case and worked with me on payments. He always took the time to help me understand everything that went on with my case. He got the matter settled without going to trial. He also put up with calling almost every week to see what was happening. I will always recomnand Brett to all my friends and I would use him again if I get any legal trouble.- AVVO Reviewer
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"Criminal Felony charges"Mr. McIntosh did not set me up for failure. He did not sugar coat my charge or lie to me at any point, he was straight forward and up front about everything. He is as I was told an Attorney that State Prosecutors want to avoid at all costs due to his immense experience, his court procedure and the fight he goes out of his way to defend his clients. Mr. McIntosh is that and much more if you find yourself looking at the wrong side of the law for any reason I urge you to contact him without any doubt what so ever. He had my case dismissed without me even having to go to court once. I spent 20 years in the Military and I'm telling my fellow Brothers and Sisters here to find Brett if you have legal issues. He is not a Blue Falcon he will not give in to the Prosecutors to spare some hard work. Thank you Mr. McIntosh David King. DUSTOFF- AVVO Reviewer - David
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"BEST IN BUSINESS"Brett was by our son's side immediately at his bond hearing. So thorough and professional. His team diligently and relentlessly gathered information, Brett compiled and was able to obtain all charges dropped. We highly recommend him to anyone.- AVVO Reviewer
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"The best criminal defense lawyer in Florida"
During a difficult time in my life, I had the support of knowledgeable and aggressive attorney. Mr. McIntosh always kept me aware of the circumstances of my case and helped me to make the best choices with consequences that I could live with. I would highly recommend Mr. McIntosh to anyone who needed an honest attorney. I hope I never need an attorney again, but if I did Mr. McIntosh would be the first person I would call.
- AVVO Reviewer -
"Amazing lawyer!"I unfortunately got myself into a second DUI situation that was possibly winnable, and Brett pushed it as far as he could take it, even informing me of how the police officer was going to testify to give me a chance to accept a plea agreement (which i did) . Let me remind you I could've taken this to court with a chance to win, but it would have been my word against the police officers, a risk i didn't want to take. With the plea agreement and in front of the Judge, Brett made me look great making great and valid points for the Judge to accept his offer over the states with certain stipulatioins, i'm not going into specifics but alot of people don't get half a good of deal on their first DUI. Brett was very thorough, he did a great job and well respected in the court room. He comes highly recommended by me, just hope I don't require his expertise again.- AVVO Reviewer - Lucas
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"Compassionate, Knowledgeable Attorney"Two years ago I was charged with a felony and my lawyer and I agreed that a plea agreement was my best choice of action. Within the first year my lawyer died unexpectedly, two months before my first sentencing hearing. My family made numerous calls to lawyers in the Sarasota area and Brett McIntosh was recommended and took on my case. He is a very smart and knowledgeable attorney who was also easy to talk with. We discussed my situation at length and he explained every aspect of my case with me. He worked hard for a year through numerous postponements on my behalf and was able to get my sentence lowered. He is an excellent attorney who treated me like a person and not just a client. I made poor choices which led to my arrest and he believed in me and knew I was a good person. Thanks to him I will be able to get my life back on a positive track sooner than I hoped.- AVVO Reviewer - Derek
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"Criminal Defense"
Brett McIntosh took on my case after I fired another attorney and he was very fair and honest with me. Most lawyers I hired previous to Mr. McIntosh would promise whatever you wanted to hear in consultation then when they received the money things would change. Mr McIntosh was completely honest with me and even gave me a discount because of the 7,000 paid to the previous lawyer. When we got to court not did he only get everything he thought he could he actually did better. In a troubling time a lawyer becomes more then representation in court they become your hope your counsler and I would recommend him to anyone.
- AVVO Reviewer - Jeremy F. -
"Brett McIntosh is quite possibly the finest trial lawyer on the Gulf Coast"Mr. McIntosh is extremely professional, knowledgeable and tenacious in defending his clients. His will and drive are unmatched. He shows great compassion for his clients, and will work his tail off for you. His prices are more than reasonable for what you get in return. If you need assistance with any legal issues, don't hesitate to call Brett. Let him work for you. I did, and it's the best decision I could have made !- AVVO Reviewer