Nellie King Photo

Nellie L. King

Attorney
  • Profile
  • Credentials
  • Community Involvement

Nellie L. King is the owner of The Law Offices of Nellie L. King, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Attorney King practices exclusively criminal defense work in state and federal courts and has handled thousands of complex criminal cases during her career, including murder, sex crimes, and drug trafficking cases.  She has represented clients in all stages of the criminal process, from the investigation of clients by law enforcement, through the pre-filing process with the State Attorney’s Office, and at jury trials.  Attorney. King also represents clients who come to her after they have been represented by different counsel for the purposes of post-conviction litigation, for example, appeals or motions pertaining to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.

Attorney King has been recognized by her peers as a leader within the criminal defense bar.  In 2011-2012,  Attorney King was elected President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  FACDL, an organization proudly described as “Liberty’s Last Champion,” is the preeminent voluntary bar association for lawyers practicing criminal defense in the State of Florida.  Attorney King is committed to the ideals espoused by FACDL, an organization that strives to advance the knowledge of criminal defense practitioners, promote the proper administration of criminal justice, and encourage the integrity and independence of the criminal defense bar.  Attorney King is also a Past President and Board Member of the Palm Beach Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney King was presented with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in June 2012.  The award was presented to Nellie for her significant achievements and contributions to the legal profession and community, as well as for her leadership contributions which serve to inspire the students of UMW.  While studying at Mary Washington, Nellie served as President of the Honor Council, twice receiving a Board of Visitors Citation for her service and leadership to the institution.  Attorney King currently serves on the Mary Washington Alumni Board of Directors and leads UMW’s South and Central Florida Regional Alumni Network.

In 2012, Attorney King was elected to the Board of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the nationwide organization dedicated to ensuring justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing.  Founded in 1958, NACDL has approximately 10,000  members in 28 countries.  In February 2012, Attorney King testified at a regional hearing of NACDL’s Task Force on Restoration of Rights and Status after Conviction about Florida’s draconian policies relating to rights restoration.  She is also a frequent lecturer on criminal law topics, having presented at NACDL’s 2012 Midwinter Meeting and Seminar on the topic, “Beyond Registration: Collateral Consequences of a Sex Crimes Conviction,” as well as at NACDL’s Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference on the topic of juvenile sentencing issues. 

As of 2022, Attorney King is a member of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation (ABF). The ABF has been an independent, nonprofit organization for nearly 70 years. The ABF seeks to advance the understanding and improvement of law through research projects.

Practice Areas

Attorney. King is admitted to practice in the Florida Bar, as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Attorney. King is a graduate of Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she majored in International Affairs/Russian Studies. Attorney. King then graduated from Nova Southeastern University Law School, where she won the Feinrider Moot Court Competition for her oratory skills, as well as various trial advocacy awards.

Law School Highlights

1994 – Winner of the Martin A. Feinreider Memorial Intramural Moot Court Competition

1995 – Selected by law school faculty to represent Nova Southeastern at the Nationals Moot Court Competition in Atlanta, GA

1995 – Member of University team selected to participate in the Robert Orseck Memorial Moot Court Competition sponsored by the Florida Bar

College Highlights

1990-1992 – Elected by the student body to serve as President of the Mary Washington    College Honor Council

1988-1990 – Elected by the student body to serve as a Representative of the Mary Washington College Honor Council

1991 and 1992 – Board of Visitors Citation –  Recognized by Mary Washington College’s governing body for service and leadership, specifically for implementing a revised Honor Constitution

1991-1992 – Awarded the Shirley L. and Jean D. White Scholarship by the President of Mary Washington College for leadership and service to the institution

1992 – Pi Sigma Alpha – Member of this prestigious Honorary for International Affairs majors

1991-1992 – Mortar Board – Member of the Cap and Gown Chapter of this highly competitive scholarship, leadership and honor society

1990, 1991 – Summer Leadership Scholarship

High School Accomplishments

1987-1988 – Class President

1986-1987 – Class President

1987 – 1988 – National Honor Society

Community Involvement
Attorney. King also believes in giving back to the local community.  Attorney. King currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Boys’ Town South Florida and she is the current Chair of the Court Systems Task Force for the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission.   Attorney. King is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County, Class of 2004, and she subsequently was elected to the Board of that organization from 2004-2008.  Attorney. King also served on the inaugural Board of the Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County, an organization which invests in women and girls to encourage their leadership and positively affect their economic, political and social status.  Attorney. King is also actively associated with the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches, the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Association of Women Lawyers and the Palm Beach County Bar Association.

Leadership Roles

Nellie L. King is sworn in as the President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga at the Four Seasons, Palm Beach.

Awards and Accolades

Astronaut and Congressional candidate, Captain Mark Kelly, congratulates Nellie L. King on winning the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Women in Leadership Award, Private Sector, at the Kravis Center, West Palm Beach.

Advocacy Efforts

Nellie L. King serves as the Host of the Annual “Stand Up for Innocence” comedy event benefiting the Innocence Project of Florida. King is pictured with Florida exoneree James Bain, a man who spent 35 years in prison for a crime he did not commit and who was freed after DNA evidence proved his innocence. Also pictured: King with Innocence Project of Florida Executive Director Seth Miller while hosting one of the fundraising events.

Countless Endorsements

See What Our Clients & Peers Are Saying About Us

  • “Her knowledge of the law, her courage while aggressively fighting for me, belief in my innocence and the ability to communicate with the jury were priceless in ensuring my freedom.”

    - V.C., Former Client

  • “Nellie represented our son fiercely in her trademark "pit bull" style and won a landmark case in our county. Top-notch, caring, and highly respected are the qualities that come to mind when I think of Nellie King.”

    - Brenda Benson

  • “Between her knowledge, hard work, and respect she is able to get her clients the best possible outcome in their cases. Ms. King is very knowledgeable in criminal law, she is hardworking and caring.”

    - W.G.

  • “Sharp, tenacious, passionate, and totally committed to securing justice, Nellie King advocates tirelessly for her clients. Your case becomes her case.”

    - Leigh D. Hagan (Ph.D. Board-Certified Forensic Psychologist)

  • “Attorney Nellie King is absolutely unstoppable in the courtroom. Her skill and technique are matched only by her will and her drive. She is not afraid to zealously defend her clients and never shies away from protecting their constitutional rights.”

    - Jessica Yeary (Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer & Public Defender Elect, Florida’s 2nd Judicial Circuit)

  • “Her concern for the turmoil of the client’s life, and its impact on their family, imbue every strategic decision she makes.”

    - Joe Guastaferro (Nationally Recognized Trial Consultant and Jury Selection Specialist)

  • “Nellie is one of the most dogged, detailed, dedicated, and skilled advocates that I've had the pleasure of working with in my 30-year career. Prosecutors undoubtedly cringe upon her entry into the case.”

    - Charles Mittelstadt (Criminal Defense Investigator)
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Awards & Associations

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  • The Washington Post
  • The New York Times
  • CBS
  • The Miami Herald
  • FOX
  • Sun Sentinal
  • NBC
  • PEOPLE
  • BuzzFeed
  • Huffington Post
  • The Palm Beach Post
  • Daily Beast

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