Meet Madeleine Mannello
Madeleine Mannello is an experienced trial attorney who litigates in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury, wrongful death, and construction and product defects. Ms. Mannello began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney for Broward County, where she prosecuted and tried all manner of cases, from a simple DUI or marijuana case, to major felonies such as aggravated battery, firearms charges, and burglary.
Ms. Mannello later went on to represent the State of Florida in both state and federal court as an Assistant Attorney General, practicing mostly prison litigation. As a result of her experience, Ms. Mannello is no stranger to our criminal justice system. Her prior experience also uniquely positions her to understand government tactics utilized both before and after trail or sentencing.
Ms. Mannello is the Immediate-Past-President of the Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association and serves on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, where she is called upon to consider complaints made against attorneys for unethical or unprofessional behavior. She is also the current Chair of the Broward County Bar Association’s Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee, where she works to facilitate coordinated community service and legal aid efforts among local voluntary bar associations. Ms. Mannello is also a former Board of Governors member of the Florida Bar Young Lawyer’s Division, as well as a former member of the Executive Counsel of the Florida Bar Government Lawyer Section.
Madeleine is a cum laude graduate of the University of Florida, and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law.
Madeleine was featured in the United Way’s New Women United Spotlight, where she detailed her background and the experiences that have helped to shape her both personally and professionally.
Q&A With Madeleine
Tell us about yourself:
I am a personal injury attorney located in Davie. I have been a practicing attorney for over a decade and have experience in civil and criminal litigation in both state and federal courts.
I grew up in Weston and attended Western High School. I received my undergraduate degree from University of Florida, and my law degree from University of Miami.
I recently adopted a very old, grumpy dog, who nobody likes but my two-year-old nephew.
Some of my favorite things include good food, a good glass of Cab, and absurdly competitive boardgame nights with family. My nephew and goddaughter are also pretty great. The gym is my happy place.
What is the best advice you can offer to young women and men as they start their careers?
Have confidence in yourself and don’t let imposter syndrome get between you and your dreams. These words by A. A. Milne are ones to live by: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and loved more than you know!”
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am very proud to be a member of the Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association, a diverse group of attorneys and judges who share the common vision that a successful legal community thrives on the commitment of its lawyers and judges to the legal and civic community. I served as President of the organization from 2019 to 2020. During that year we opened a Lactation Room for nursing mothers in the Broward County Courthouse, hosted an Informed Voters Project event for high school students, and co-hosted the first-ever legal mentoring picnic in Broward, which was attended by over 400 attorneys, judges, and law students. We were awarded the Outstanding Public Service Program Award by the Florida Association for Women Lawyers for our work on the Lactation Room.
What aspect of your work are you most passionate about?
As a personal injury attorney, I am often working with people who are in the midst of one of the most traumatizing periods of their lives. They have either been seriously injured or have lost a loved one. While I cannot undo the trauma or loss they have experienced, by patiently discussing their case and holding their hands through the legal system, I am able to help them feel less alone and less vulnerable. In the end, if I do my job correctly, I can also help them find a small sense of closure.
What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
Apply for a job you’re not quite sure you’re ready for. You just might surprise yourself!
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be and why?
Wonder Woman! I have always wished I could fly, and that Lasso of Truth would really come in handy.