Atty. John A. Lentine

Atty. John A. Lentine

John received his B.A. with honors from the University of West Florida and his J.D. from Cumberland Law School in 1987. He practices exclusively criminal defense work on the trial and appellate levels throughout the State of Alabama and in a variety of federal trial and appellate courts.

Birmingham Birmingham 39 yrs experience 39 year
Call (205) 855-4210 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About John A. Lentine at a glance

John A. Lentine is a Partner based in Birmingham, Alabama, practicing at Sheffield & Lentine, P.C.. They have 39+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1987. Their practice focuses on criminal defense. Admitted to practice in Alabama (1987), U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama (1987), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (1987), and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama (1991). Educated at Cumberland Law School (J.D., 1987) and University of West Florida (B.A. History, 1984). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • John received his B.A. with honors from the University of West Florida and his J.D. from Cumberland Law School in 1987
  • He practices exclusively criminal defense work on the trial and appellate levels throughout the State of Alabama and in a variety of federal trial and appellate courts
  • He is a past president of the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Greater Birmingham Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham
  • He is a life member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and he has been board certified as a Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and has served as the Board’s State Coordinator in Alabama
  • He was the CJA Panel Representative and Resource Counsel for the United States District Court of the Northern District of Alabama for ten years and also served as the 11th Circuit’s Representative to and for 3 years served as the Chief CJA Panel Representative in the United States to the Defender Services Advisory Group for the Administrative Office of Courts in Washington
  • He has been appointed by the Alabama Supreme Court to serve on the Alabama Criminal Rules Committee and the Alabama Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions Committee
  • He is a faculty member of the National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia, and the Georgia Criminal Defense Association’s Bill Daniel Trial Advocacy Program
  • He is an adjunct faculty member at Cumberland School of Law where he teaches trial advocacy and the Birmingham School of Law where he teaches criminal law, criminal procedure and the Death Penalty
  • He has been a Fellow in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
  • He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America specializing in Non-White Collar and White Collar Criminal Defense, Alabama’s SuperLawyers in the area of criminal defense, and The Birmingham Magazine’s and The Birmingham Business Journal’s Best Lawyers in Birmingham and acknowledged by The American Trial Lawyer’s Association as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in Alabama
  • He is the 2010 recipient of the Judge Walter P. Gewin Award from CLE Alabama for his contributions to the development and presentation of CLE programs
  • In 2012 he was named Birmingham’s Lawyer of the Year in Non White Collar Criminal Defense by Best Lawyers in America
  • John has spoken at numerous CLE programs across the country devoted to the teaching and training of criminal defense lawyers
  • HONORS & AWARDS Member (Past President) Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Member (Past President) Greater Birmingham Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Life Member- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Member (Executive Committee) Birmingham Bar Association Fellow- American Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Practice Areas Explained

John A. Lentine's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John A. Lentine handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

John A. Lentine is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Alabama →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Alabama

Practicing law in Alabama. Legal matters in Alabama are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Birmingham are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Alabama state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Alabama brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Alabama courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Alabama attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Birmingham or all attorneys in Alabama.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about John A. Lentine

Where is John A. Lentine's law office located?
John A. Lentine's law practice is located in Birmingham, Alabama. The firm is Sheffield & Lentine, P.C.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does John A. Lentine handle?
John A. Lentine focuses on criminal defense. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Alabama.
How long has John A. Lentine practiced law?
John A. Lentine has 39+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1987.
Where did John A. Lentine go to law school?
John A. Lentine earned their education at (J.D., 1987); (B.A. History, 1984).
How can I contact John A. Lentine for a consultation?
You can contact John A. Lentine directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has John A. Lentine received?
John A. Lentine's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D.
Cumberland Law School
- 1987
B.A. History
University of West Florida
- 1984

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Alabama
Admitted: 1987
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
Admitted: 1987
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Admitted: 1987
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
Admitted: 1991
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
Admitted: 1991
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Admitted: 1996

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