Matletha Bennette Email & Phone Number

Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Tallahassee, Florida

Functions as legal and legislative advisor to the Minority leader, legislators, and staff, on criminal and civil justice issues, as well as ethics and elections reforms. Applies area expertise when researching and preparing analyses of proposed legislation, reports, legislation, and amendments; responding to inquiries; and developing correspondence. Analyzes and summarizes proposed legislation to determine effectiveness and impact of its passage. Researches and drafts legislation and amendments to legislation at the direction of the Minority leader and other Democratic legislators. Monitors the progress of related legislation and legal matters. Briefs legislators verbally or in writing on issues to be discussed in committee, on the floor, or with constituents. Prepares oral and written reports on research and Minority Office work such as pre- and post- session reports, budget overviews, and interim projects. Provides information and problem-solving assistance to legislators and their staff. Prepares letters, summaries, talk-sheets or speeches, reports, and informational memoranda on related issues at the request of the Minority leader or legislators. Keeps abreast of new and ongoing issues affecting assigned area of responsibility by collecting resource materials, attending workshops and conferences, reading industry publications, communicating with lobbyists and the public, etc.

Tallahassee, Florida

Second-chair attorney in capital post-conviction proceedings in the Northern Region of Florida, representing clients on their initial and/or subsequent state post-conviction applications for writ of habeas corpus and related proceedings, including litigating live evidentiary hearings, requesting public records, and appellate written and oral advocacy. Key job duties include reviewing the trial and appellate record for constitutional error, interviewing witnesses in order to develop mitigating mental health and social history evidence, and investigating and developing claims of postconviction relief. Independent critical thinking and analysis paired with interdependence on small teams of attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists to research and develop claims for each case. Examples of specific areas of research, include ballistics, DNA, fingerprint, and other forensic analyses; crime scene investigation; psychological, psychosocial and neurological disorders; prosecutorial misconduct; intellectual disability; racial discrimination; public and media bias; and misidentification; lethal injection; and the constitutionality of the death penalty in general.

Examined voting laws and histories to contribute to legal and academic research for Franita Tolson, Esq., Betty T. Ferguson Professor of Voting Rights. Specific topics included racial and sexual discrimination in voting laws, felon disenfranchisement, and historical state constitutional provisions.

Tallahassee, Florida

Provided research and prepared memoranda in the areas of bankruptcy, education, and administrative law. Worked alongside firm’s attorneys and legal support staff to respond to legal issues and prepare for litigation. Contributed to the publication of the firm’s literary works related to state laws and regulations of unmanned aircraft systems.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

Analyzed bills and issues related to the Children and Families, Local Government, and Veterans and Military Affairs subcommittees within the Florida House of Representatives. Presented findings to members of the House of Representatives and assisted in the drafting of bills and amendments for the 2016 legislative session. Acted as a liaison between lobbyists and legislative members in order to synthesize and disseminate pertinent policy-related information.

Drafted pleading and memoranda related to the regulation of Certified Public Accountants across the State of Florida.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

Advocated on behalf of abused, abandoned, and neglected children within the Florida Foster Care System, including drafting pleadings and memoranda, and conducting client/witness interviews.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

Legislative interns for Senator Maria Sachs. Tracked and analyzed legislation, and researched and prepared talking points for press conferences and floor arguments,

Gainesville, Florida Area

I spent a semester at the University of Florida’s Harn Museum, helping to organize an outreach education program with the PACE Center for Girls. I planned lessons, prepared consumable materials for projects, and supervised the girls as they did writing or art-making activities.

Gainesville, Florida Area

I spent a semester working closely with a local public defender, researching and writing memoranda on the retroactive applicability of Padilla v. Kentucky in order to support a claim for post-conviction release.

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Public Interest

Activities and Societies: Awards: Outstanding Pro Bono Service, Civil Rights Litigation Book Award, Calvin Patterson Civil Rights Scholar.

Masters Of Public Administration, Public Policy Analysis

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.) And Arts (B.A.), Political Science And English

Magna Cum Laude, Honors Program Completion, 2013 Outstanding 4-Year Scholar, CLAS Anderson Scholar, John v. Lombardi Scholar