ABOUT HERTZ & KEARNS, ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW

Darby Hertz is a graduate of the University of Florida and the University of Florida Law School. She has been a criminal defense attorney for 8 years, both as an assistant public defender and as a private attorney. She has been married for 23 years and has two children.
Her experiences includes:
  • Certified legal intern with the Office of the Public Defender
  • Assistant Public Defender with the state of Florida
  • Lead Attorney in both felony and misdemeanor courts
  • Active work on hundreds of criminal cases Assistant Public Defender for the Eighth Judicial Circuit
  • Bar Memberships
  • Florida Bar 2002 Teaching
  • Adjunct Professor UF College of Law - NTC Trial Team

John Kearns is a graduate of the University of Florida Law School. He has been a criminal defense attorney for 36 years and is capital case qualified. He was the Deputy Public Defender from 1984 through 2008. He has been married for 39 years and has two children and two grandchildren.


His Experience Includes:


  • Assistant Public Defender for the Eighth Judicial Circuit 1972-2008
  • Chief Assistant for the Eighth Judicial Circuit 1984-2008
  • Bar Memberships

      *Florida Bar since 1972

      *Federal Bar Northern District of Florida 1973

      *U.S. Supreme Court Bar 1980

  • Teaching

      *Adjunct Professor UF College of Law - NTC Trial Team

      *Adjunct Professor University of Florida - Criminal Justice Department

      *Instructor at Kirkpatrick Center Police Academy 

      *Death Penalty Steering Committee Chairman for the Public Defender's Association 1994-2002

  • Awards

      *Jim Slater Award - Public Defender Association for Work in Capital Litigation 2008

      *Public Defender Outstanding Service Award 1984

      *James L. Tomlinson Award from the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association 2008

      *Clara Gehan Ethics Award from the Eighth Judicial Circuit Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers 1995-1996

  • Capital Case Qualified 


 Hertz & Kearns, Attorneys & Counselors at Law provides legal services and representation in criminal law (including injunctions), and family law.


Trial Practice

As public and private attorneys with decades of experience in felony and misdemeanor courts, we have handled thousand of criminal cases and we are not afraid to actively assist you in protecting your rights. Call Hertz & Kearns, Attorneys & Counselors at Law and schedule your free initial consultation today.