Hands holding white paper family cutouts on a wooden desk with coffee, glasses, and documents.

Rita Maria Briles | Partner & Veteran Trial Advocate

Driven Advocacy. Decades of Courtroom Experience. Compassionate Counsel.



Rita Maria Briles brings over two decades of elite trial experience and an unyielding commitment to justice to the Briles Law Group. Licensed in Florida, Alabama, and Maryland, Rita has spent a career standing up for individuals facing life-altering legal challenges. Whether defending rights in high-stakes federal and state criminal jury trials or navigating complex family dynamics, clients receive the sophisticated advocacy of a seasoned courtroom veteran.

A Legacy of Federal and State Trial Excellence

Rita has tried numerous criminal and jury trials, developing a formidable reputation for litigation strategy.


  • Federal Criminal Defense: Served for over 30 years as an appointed federal criminal attorney on the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel for the Northern District of Alabama.
  • National Recognition: Featured in a prominent New York Times documentary on capital punishment, To Live and Die in Alabama, highlighting a career dedicated to defending constitutional rights.
  • Firm Leadership: Successfully owned and operated a private law firm in Alabama for over 15 years after building a foundation at a major Birmingham personal injury firm.


Diverse Practice Areas for Life's Most Critical Moments

Prior to launching her own firm in Florida, Attorney Briles was employed by a prominent family law firm in Pinellas County for seven years, deepening her localized expertise in domestic relations. Her comprehensive practice encompasses:



  • Family Law & Domestic Relations: Strategic counsel for divorce, asset division, and custody disputes.
  • Civil Injunctions: Swift legal protection for individuals seeking safety through restraining orders.
  • Dependency Law: Standing up for parents and children navigating the state welfare system.
  • Criminal Defense: Aggressive representation in state and federal courts for complex criminal matters.
  • Social Security Disability (SSD): Helping disabled individuals secure the vital benefits they earned.


Educating the Next Generation & Deep Community Roots

A passionate educator, legal scholar, and devoted community advocate, Rita brings deep personal empathy to every case:



  • Academic Leadership: Served as an adjunct professor at the Birmingham School of Law, training future attorneys in trial advocacy and social security disability law.
  • Advocacy for Children & Families: A licensed foster caregiver for the State of Florida and an adoptive parent, offering a unique, lived understanding of the legal and emotional realities families face.
  • Faith & Local Service: Active member of Indian Rocks Baptist Church and previously served the Pinellas County community as a dedicated volunteer and small group leader at Gulf Coast Church in Largo.


Admissions & Professional Affiliations


  • Bar Admissions: Florida State Bar | Alabama State Bar | Maryland State Bar
  • Federal Admissions: U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (CJA Panel, 30+ Years)
  • Professional Associations: Clearwater Bar Association | Canakaris Family Law Inn of Court