Honors and Awards:

• Top Lawyer (Criminal Defense, White Collar Criminal Defense, OWI/DWI Defense) DBusiness Magazine, 2012.  Neil Rockind again joins a select group of lawyers in Michigan as being a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine.  The honors are peer-reviewed and peer-approved.  In 2011, a mere 700 out of 15,000 eligible lawyers were selected.  
• Recognized as one of Detroit's Movers and Shakers, 2009 - 944 Magazine (Detroit) First Edition.  In October, 2009, "944", a magazine in major cities such as New York, Miami, San Diego and Los Angeles, published its first edition of the magazine in Detroit.  The first edition of 944 Detroit included a pictorial spread and article of people that the magazine considered to be "Detroit's Movers and Shakers."  Neil Rockind was selected and featured in the article.  Rockind considered it an honor to represent the legal field in the first edition of this magazine's entry into the Detroit market. 
• Top Lawyer (Criminal Defense) DBusiness Top Lawyers 2011. The selection process included a peer review survey that polled more than 15,000 private attorneys in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Lawyers were asked to nominate up to three attorneys in any of the forty-nine specialized practice areas. Special weight was given to those lawyers chosen by attorneys working at firms other than their own as well as prior honorees.  Neil Rockind is proud to have been selected as a DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyer in the area of Criminal Defense., 2010
• Best of Detroit -- Hour Detroit Magazine.  Selects/Names Attorney Neil Rockind, Best in Detroit: In a readers poll in Hour Detroit Magazine, Attorney Neil Rockind was featured with a pictorial and selected as Best in Detroit., 2011
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers - National Trial Lawyers Association. The National Trial Lawyers Association invited Neil Rockind to join its organization, an organization of trial lawyers who peer review other trial lawyers for consideration and/or inclusion in the Top 100. Membership is by invitation only., 2011
• A national trial laweyrs organization, the National Trial Lawyers Association, named Neil Rockind a Top 100 Trial Lawyer again in 2012. , Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2012
• The State Appellate Defender's Office (SADO) did a profile on Neil Rockind in the February/March, 2012. http://www.sado.org/Articles/Article/87, Spotlight on Neil Rockind, SADO, State Appellate Defender's Office, 2012

Special Licenses/Certifications:

• Member of the National College for Drunk Driving Defense (NCDD)., 2012
•   Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) - Drug Evaluation and Classification Training Program - completed 3 day training by Lance Platt, Platt and Associates in Detroit, MI April 12, 2012 to April 14, 2012 - learned the protocols of drug evlaution by police officers that are specifically trained as DRE's (Drug Recognition Experts) to determine if arrested drivers are impaired by drugs., 2012, 2012

Bar/Professional Activity:

• Member - Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Association.  2011.
• Member of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ).
• Member of the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA).
• Member of the State Bar of Michigan, Section on Criminal Defense.
• Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDL).
• Admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan.
• Member of the Criminal Defense Attorneys Association of Michigan (CDAM).

Pro bono/Community Service:

• Neil Rockind was elected to the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Israeli Defense Force (FIDF) - Michigan Chapter. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for that charitable organization.
• Neil Rockind is a member of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Regional Advisory Board.
• Constitution Day Volunteer: Neil Rockind volunteered his time and service to the Hon. Michael Warren's Constitution Day program put on by the Oakland County Bar Association and the Hon. Michael Warren, a Circuit Court Judge  The program teaches high school students about both the United States and Michigan Constitution.  Lawyers re-enacted the Brown v Board of Education trial for the students.  Rockind volunteered his time for this program., 2010
• Pro Bono -- Michigan v Backon:  Neil Rockind is representing an attorney who is accused of Manufacturing Marijuana and Delivery of a Controlled Substance to an inmate in the county jail.  Upset at the matter in which the media and her colleagues were treating the attorney/client, Rockind accepted the case pro bono., 2010
• Neil Rockind (pro bono) represents a two (2) medical marijuana patients and caregivers in a declaratory action against Bloomfield Township, Michigan -- a local community that passed an ordinance severely limiting the medical marijuana patients rights to the medical use of marijuana., 2011
• Pro Bono -- Neil Rockind accepted the defense of a woman, pro bono, who was charged with narcotics possession but who, Rockind discovered, was the victim of rape and was using drugs to avoid her pain.  Rockind offered to take the case pro bono., 2011
• Sensible Michigan Political Action Committee -- Neil Rockind was selected to the Board of Directors of Sensible Michigan PAC, an political actions committee advancing the interests of medical marijuana patients and caregivers., 2011
• Marijuana Patients Organization (MPO) - Neil Rockind was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Marijuana Patients Organization (MPO), a patients rights and advocacy group., 2011
• Cannabis Patients United (C.P.U.), a lobbying and educational organization, invited Neil Rockind, a known advocate for Michigan Medical Marijuana patients rights, to join its organization.   Membership of the Cannabis Patients United is by membership only and must be unanimously approved.  Neil Rockind was approved., 2011
• Neil Rockind, represented the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM), before the Michigan House Judiciary Committee during hearings on proposed modifications to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.  Neil Rockind testified before the House Judiciary Committee.  His testimony is considered to have motivated several legislators to atttempt to improve the language of 333.26428, the Affirmative Defense Section, to create more opporunities for affirmative defenses before juries., 2012

Scholarly Lectures and Writings:

• Top Lawyer, DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyers 2010-2011, 2010
• Presenter - Featured Speaker, I Didn't Make It In Hollywood But I'm Great In Front Of A Jury -- Careers In Criminal Defense, Thomas Cooley Law School, 2010
• Neil Rockind was a speaker, presenter and panel member for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education.  The lecture was entitled, Defending Medical Marijuana Cases, Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE),  October, 2011., 2011
• Neil Rockind was the Featured Speaker/Presenter. Defending Medical Marijuana Cases, Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) Lecture Series, Septembe, 2011., Featured Speaker/Presenter, 2011
• Neil Rockind was invited by the League of Women Voters to take part in a panel discussion regarding the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act.  The discussion and presentation will take place in May, 2011., Speaker, League of Women Voters, Medical Marijuana Panel Discussion, 2011
• Neil Rockind was a featured speaker at the Advanced Trial Skills Seminar, Spring Conference in Novi, Michigan on the subject of Defense Expert Witnesses:  The How To Guide To Calling Defense Experts, Speaker, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, 2011
• Medical Marijuana Lecture.  (link) http://www.empowerment-pro.net/contactus_files/Biosketch%20Neil%20Rockind.pdf, Speaker, Psychologists And Law Endorcement, Therapists, 2012
• Neil Rockind spoke to a group of therapists, treaters, medical professionals, social workers and experts in Royal Oak in March, 2012.  His presentation was considered by many the most lively and engaging discussion of the seminar.  The group, by and large, is opposed to medical marijuana.  By the end of the discussion, a listener turned to Neil Rockind and said, "you convinced 'em." , Speaker, The Impact of the Medical Marihuana Act on Therpists, Treaters and Law Enforcement, Additionology, Psychology, Social Work, Therapists, 2012
• February 2012, Neil Rockind testified before the Michigan House Judiciary Committee at hearings on Medical Marijuana on behalf of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM).  Rockind argued against a proposed change to the MMMA that would allow police officers to have access to the Confidential Patient Registry based on mere Reasonable Suspicion.  Rockind argued that a warrant and probable cause are essential.  Additionally, Rockind proposed an amendment that would mandate that patients be permitted to present a medical marijuana defnse to a jury upon a prima facie showing of a bona fide relationship with a physician. , 2012
• On March 23, 2012, Neil Rockind will be speaking at the Symposium on the Opiate Epidemic and Medical Marijuana.  Rockind was asked to speak to discuss the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, his experiences in defending medical marijuana cases and the impact of the act on patients, caregivers, therapists and law enforcement., Speaker, Symposium on the Opiate Epidemic and Medical Marijuana, 2012
• The Wayne State University Law School Law Review has invited Neil Rockind to speak and take part in a panel discussion regarding medical marijuana decriminalization.  The event, the Wayne State University Law School Law Review Symposium on Medical Marijuana, will take place on January 27, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan.  Neil Rockind joins a list of distinguished panel members and presenters including, former Attorney General Mike Cox, Karen O'Keefe and Dan Riffle of the Marijuana Policy Project and Constitutional Law Scholar Robert Sedler. , Speaker, Presenter and Panel Member, Wayne State University Law School Law Review Symposium on Medical Marijuana, 2012

Verdicts and Settlements:

• The Basketbrawl Case -- Neil Rockind defended two (2) individuals in the infamous Basketbrawl case that occurred at the Palace of Auburn Hills when Indiana Pacer Ron Artest went into the stands to attack a fan or retaliate against a fan who had thrown a glass of water at him.
• Michigan v Charles Jerome -- Neil Rockind defended an elected Township clerk and two (2) county commissioners in a northern Michigan county when the three were among a group charged with Perjury, Conspiracy to Commit Perjury, Subornation of Perjury and Obstruction of Justice.  After a three (3) day trial, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on all counts and for all defendants.
• In RE Geoffrey Fieger, Neil Rockind took part in the defense of Geoffrey Fieger, his law firm and his employees when Fieger was under investigation for campaign finance violations and irregularities.
• In this marijuana case, Neil Rockind obtained the disqualification of a judge who previously had ruled that the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act was unconstitutional.  Rockind argued that the judge had a personal bias against medical marijuana and marijuana and as a result could not sit fairly in a marijuana/medical marijuana case.  The judge involved was widely reputed to be one of the most intolerant judges when it came to Medical Marijuana.  The ruling, disqualifying him, was hailed by patients and lawyers as important.
• State of Michigan v Dickow Dehko:  the attorney general's office brought a 34 count complaint against our client and charged 9 others including the client's two (2) brothers and their elderly mother with Racketeering and Conspiracy, amongst the many charges.  Neil Rockind spearheaded the defense of this case and after two (2) years, obtained a dismissal of every count. Verdict:  All counts dismissed., 2009
• Michigan v Prendi:  A five (5) defendant, international cocaine and marijuana conspiracy was tried in the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac, Michigan.  The government's case included at least 15 kilos of cocaine that were introduced into evidence in the case, hundreds of pages of phone records, witnesses and police officers from Illinois and Michigan and a multi-jurisdictional, Balkan Organized Crime Task Force.   Verdict:  Not Guilty on All Counts., 2009
• Michigan v Pasquale Longordo -- In this arson of dwelling case, Neil Rockind defended a homeowner charged with intentionally burning down his own house in Birmingham, Michigan, a tony suburb in Oakland County.  Despite an exhaustive and costly search, Rockind could find no experts to assist the defense at trial.  Rockind's cross-examination of the State's arson (cause and origin) expert was legendary -- it resulted in the expert conceding that the fire could have been started accidentally. Overnight, the expert witness contacted the assistant prosecutor handling the case and conceded that the case should be dismissed.  The case was dismissed with prejudice the following day., 2010
• Michigan v Pasquale Longordo -- In this arson of dwelling case, Neil Rockind defended a homeowner charged with intentionally burning down his own house in Birmingham, Michigan, a tony suburb in Oakland County.  Despite an exhaustive and costly search, Rockind could find no experts to assist the defense at trial.  Rockind's cross-examination of the State's arson (cause and origin) expert was legendary -- it resulted in the expert conceding that the fire could have been started accidentally. Overnight, the expert witness contacted the assistant prosecutor handling the case and conceded that the case should be dismissed.  The case was dismissed with prejudice the following day., 2010
• People v "E.A.":  Neil Rockind took on this medical marijuana case for a well-known and highly regarded medical marijuana grower.  This was one of the first medical use defense cases litigated under the Medical Marijuana Act.  After several hearings, the prosecutor's office agreed to drop the case, dismiss the charges., 2010
• Bloomfield Township v Fawkes:  A three (3) year saga involving a OWI/DUI case with a blood test and a client who resisted police was tried in the 48th District Court in Oakland County.  The government/prosecution called 3 expert witnesses to the stand in an effort to convince the jury that a blood test above the legal limit was reliable and believable beyond a reasonable doubt. Verdict:  Not Guilty., 2010
• Michigan v N.S., Dismissal: a marijuana case in which Neil Rockind challenged charges of DUID and OUID.  Rockind argued that the charges should be dismissed as Michigan's statute making it illegal to operate with the presence of marijuana in one's system was unconstitutional and that marijuana should not be considered a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance in Michigan.  The Court dismissed all charges., 2011
• Michigan v Chapman:  In a case in which the accused was charged with Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property, Neil Rockind obtained a dismissal of all charges.  , 2011
• Michigan v "N.S.":  Neil Rockind obtained a dismissal of a Marijuana and Operating with the Presence of Marijuana case on Equal Protection and Due Process grounds.  Rockind argued that the passage of the Medical Marijuana Act repealed (by implication) the designation and classification of Marijuana as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance in Michigan.  The trial court agreed withe Rockind's position, ruled that marijuana was no longer a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance and dismissed the case., 2011
• Michigan v J.J. a/k/a M.J.:  Neil Rockind took over the defense of JJ from another lawyer after 18 months of litigation in the district courts.  Ultimately, Rockind held an evidentiary hearing at which the arresting officer was forced to concede that he had violated departmental policy and that he had misjudged the evidence in the case.  The multiple felony and misdemeanor charges were dismissed., 2011
• City of Troy v Danny Dabash:  in this Domestic Violence case, Neil Rockind defended a client accused of assaulting his wife.  The jury deliberated a mere 5-7 minutes. Verdict: Not Guilty., 2011
• Michigan v T.S.:  In this medical marijuana case, Neil Rockind obtained a dismissal of all charges.  The accused was charged with the Manufacture of Marijuana Plants numbering between 20 and 200 and the Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Deliver.  Both the number of plants and the amount of marijuana exceeded the allowable amounts under the Medical Marijuana Act.  After months of litigation and a Franks v Delaware Motion, the prosecution and police department declared "no mas" and entered a Nolle Prosequi dismissing all charges. , 2012
• State of Michigan v Ryan Richmond a/k/a as the Clinical Releif Medical Marijuana Dispensary Case:  Dismissal of all charges.   In this case, prosecuting attorneys and law enforcement targeted the very first and most visible medical marijuana dispensary in Michigan.  All employees and owners were charged with multiple felonies.  Neil Rockind, along with several other lawyers, led the defense.  In January of 2012, a trial court judge dismissed all charges against all defendants.  , 2012

Representative Clients:

• Clinical Relief - Ferndale Medical Marijuana Dispensary Case, 2010
• Marijuana Policy Project, www.mpp.org., 2011
• Herbal Remedies-Waterford Dispensary Case, 2011

Other Outstanding Achievements:

• Best in Detroit Honors -- Hour Magazine Names/Selects Attorney Best in Detroit., 2011
• Neil Rockind was the feature subject of a profile article in The Jewish News, the Detroit area jewish newspaper/magazine.  Neil Rockind appeared on the cover of the magazine.  The article provides an in-depth profile of Neil Rockind, his career, law practice, involvement in the defense of Medical Marijuana cases and his personal life.  , 2012

Video:

• Neil Rockind and Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard took part in a debate on a news segment aired on Fox 2 News in Detroit, Michigan.  The segment in which Rockind and Bouchard debate the meaning of the law is posted on many websites, including the Marijuana Policy Project, www.mpp.org., Neil Rockind Debates Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Medical Marijuana, 2010
• Neil Rockind took part in another high-profile dispensary prosecution, the prosecution of the Herbal Remedies Dispensary.  Some of the arguments were caught on video by a local newspaper., Herbal Remedies Case, 2011
• Neil Rockind, one of the lead counsel in the Clinical Relief Dispensary Case, argued that charges should be dismissed because the prosecution was selective and vindictive.  Several months later, the Hon. Daniel O'Brien dismissed all charges against the Clinical Relief Defendants on the grounds., Clinical Relief Arguments, 2011
• Neil Rockind appeared on the Planet Green Trees Radio Show to discuss recent events regarding the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act., Green Trees Radio Show, 2011
• Practical Law Show, 2011
• Fox 2 News, 2011
• Medical Marijuana Town Hall, 2011
• Neil Rockind, representing marijuana patients, took part in a forum to discuss medical marijuana.  The discussion was put on by the League of Women Voters., Medical Marijuana Forum, League Of Women Voters, 2011

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of General Studies, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor., 1990