Alyssa M. Altonaga is a criminal defense attorney who handles trials, sentencings, appeals, and post-conviction matters. She has experience working on a wide range of cases in both federal and state court.

First and foremost, Alyssa prides herself on her empathetic and zealous advocacy. She has seen firsthand how a criminal case can damage a person’s life and cause collateral consequences for the accused’s loved ones. Her strong work ethic and dedication to her clients sets her apart and makes her an effective litigator. Alyssa’s clients know that she will leave no stone unturned, and is always available to answer her clients’ questions and concerns.

Alyssa has years of experience handling cases involving alleged fraud, money laundering, racketeering, drug trafficking, firearms, obstruction of justice, national security violations, corruption, and violent crime. She has also handled countless health care-related matters in the criminal and civil context. She has represented doctors, hospitals, private practices, and other healthcare professionals in various cases involving fraud, kickbacks, breach of contract, whistleblowers and the False Claims Act, and civil and criminal DOJ investigations involving tens of millions of dollars. 

In addition to being a fearless fighter at trial, Alyssa is a skilled negotiator—she has convinced prosecutors to dismiss cases, obtained pretrial diversion for clients in state court (which results in a dismissal upon successful completion), and has obtained favorable plea agreements and sentences in cases ranging from minor property crimes to nationwide drug trafficking offenses. Her negotiations, motions, and arguments in court have led to numerous pre- and post-trial victories, including but not limited to:

• Obtaining a time-served sentence on a federal drug-trafficking case and dismissal of the original indictment in exchange for reduced charges

• Obtaining a 6-year sentence on an aggravated battery case where the State was seeking 30 years’ imprisonment

• Winning in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a major Florida corporation  

• Obtaining an order vacating an unlawful firearm conviction

• Securing the Compassionate Release of a client who was convicted of cocaine trafficking and who served approximately 50% of his sentence in federal prison

• Getting a client released on bond where the government fought to detain the client in a case involving the alleged trafficking of over 7 kilograms of fentanyl

• Winning a motion to dismiss she co-authored alongside co-defense counsel in a False Claims Act whistleblower case

• Obtaining pre-trial diversion for a client charged with bringing narcotics through Miami International Airport, resulting in a full dismissal of the charges

• Getting a client released on bond where the government fought to detain the client in a case involving the alleged trafficking more than 5 kilograms of cocaine

• Obtaining a 7.5-year sentence for the alleged leader of a drug trafficking scheme where the government sought a 20-year sentence

Outside of her practice, Alyssa is a Lecturer of Legal Writing at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. She also volunteers with the Justice Reform Foundation and serves as the Chairwoman of Legal Education and Programming, focusing on establishing programs to provide pro bono legal assistance to indigent clients and train law students and young attorneys to be effective defenders. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Miami Chapter. Alyssa has been published in the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Magazine. 

Alyssa graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law, where she focused her studies on criminal law. She was a recipient of the Dean’s Scholar scholarship and worked as a Dean’s Fellow and research assistant to Professor K. Renee Schimkat. Alyssa also received the HOPE Pro Bono Service Award for completing 130 hours of pro bono legal service at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office.

Education

University of Miami School of Law, J.D. – cum laude

Awards and Honors:

• Dean’s Scholar Scholarship

• Pre-Trial and Trial Litigation Skills - Honors

• HOPE Pro Bono Service Award

University of Central Florida, B.A. 

Bar Admissions

• Florida

• Southern District of Florida

• Middle District of Florida

• 5th Circuit Court of Appeals

• 11th Circuit Court of Appeals

• Eastern District of Texas, pro hac vice

Memberships

• Justice Reform Foundation, Board of Directors, Chair of Programming

• Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Miami Chapter, Board of Directors

• Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

• Miami-Dade Bar Association

• Women in White Collar Defense Association

Publications

“From Jails to Jobs: Vital Components of an Effective Reentry.” American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Magazine (Summer 2022).