Michael Scionti

Michael J. Scionti is a dedicated professional who has devoted his entire legal career to protecting the rights of others in and out of the courtroom, on and off the battlefield, and throughout all branches of government. Over the course of his legal career, Michael has gained extensive experience in the nexus of domestic and international law, foreign policy and diplomacy, and national security and homeland defense. As a legal practitioner and policy maker, Michael has been committed to advancing the rule of law and supporting a fair and balanced justice system both at home and abroad.

Biography
Michael was born on October 2, 1968 in Tampa, Florida. He is a Florida native and lifelong resident of Hillsborough County. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University in 1990 and his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law in 1996. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996 and is licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States District Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Michael is an experienced trial and appellate attorney having litigated hundreds of cases before both judges and juries in Florida’s county, circuit and appellate courts.

Appointed to the United States Department of Defense in 2009, Michael served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and Intergovernmental Affairs. As a senior Defense Department official, Michael oversaw the development of legislative strategies and priorities for domestic policies, programs and goals relating to matters of national security and homeland defense. Appointed to the United States Department of State in 2011, Michael served as the Senior Diplomat and Foreign Policy Advisor for Rule of Law and Law Enforcement in support of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. As a senior State Department diplomat, Michael oversaw rule of law and justice sector advancements, anti-corruption and organized crime initiatives, and national security and counter-terrorism prosecutions in support of security, stability and governance in Afghanistan.

Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2006, and again in 2008, Michael served as the State Representative for Legislative District 58 (Tampa). As a State Representative, Michael served on Florida’s Commission on Capital Punishment Cases and on various Legislative Councils and Committees most notably as Ranking Member on the House Public Safety and Security Council, Criminal and Civil Justice Committee, and Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee. He also served as a former Assistant Attorney General, Assistant State Attorney, and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor for the State of Florida successfully prosecuting violent felony offenders, white-collar corruption and organized crime.

Commissioned as an Officer in the United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps in 2000, Michael served as a military prosecutor, military magistrate, rule of law advisor and legal counsel for military personnel in both civil and criminal law related matters. Michael also served as legal counsel for disabled veterans who honorably served our nation and now suffer because of their military service. Currently, Michael serves as Team Chief for the Complex Trial and Litigation Section with the 174th Legal Operations Detachment, U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command.

Most notably, Michael volunteered for two tours of duty, one in Iraq from 2003 to 2004 and one in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008, where he served as a military magistrate for the U.S. Army. As a Military Magistrate, he presided over hundreds of military-commissioned war tribunals and detention hearings of suspected enemy prisoners of war, insurgents and terrorists. His decisions had direct impact on saving American lives by preventing the enemy from returning to the battlefield and helping advance the national security interests of the United States. The Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, both Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Presidential Unit Citation are among his many military awards and decorations.