Choosing a lawyer means choosing who stands between you and the State, an insurance company, or a jury. Three things set this firm apart: the forensic science training behind the defense, the courtroom experience behind the lawyer, and results you can check for yourself.
In a case that turns on a breath reading, a blood result, or a field sobriety score, the question is whether your lawyer can read that evidence the way the analyst does. Rory Safir can. He is one of only six attorneys in Florida who hold the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation, and he is a certified NHTSA field sobriety instructor, qualified to teach the same roadside tests the officers use. He began his career trying cases as an Assistant Public Defender, so he has stood in front of juries from the start.
The credentials behind the work
ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist
One of only six in Florida, listed on the ACS-CHAL registry. Earned through hands-on forensic science training at Axion Analytical Labs and a proficiency exam.
NHTSA Field Sobriety Instructor
Qualified to teach the standardized roadside tests, the same ones officers are trained on.
ARIDE Trained
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, the curriculum bridging field sobriety testing and drug-impairment cases.
DRE Trial Techniques
A seminar taught by a former DRE instructor on reading and cross-examining the twelve-step drug recognition evaluation, trained to take one apart rather than to perform one.
Axion Forensic Training
Hands-on coursework at Axion Analytical Labs in forensic chromatography for alcohol, forensic drug analysis, and the science of drugged driving (DUID).
Former Assistant Public Defender
Tried cases in Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit from the start of his career.
National College for DUI Defense
NCDD member with a public attorney profile, and a member of the National Task Force.
DUIDLA Member
Member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, a national network focused on the science of impaired-driving cases, with a member profile.
Super Lawyers Rising Stars
Selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2024, 2025, and 2026. See his Super Lawyers profile.
See the proof
How we help
The same forensic and trial approach runs through every practice area. Start with the one that fits your case.
Local to Tampa Bay
The firm is based in St. Petersburg and works across Tampa Bay and the surrounding circuits every week, in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto. Knowing the local courthouses, the local procedures, and the way these cases move matters as much as knowing the law. See all the areas we serve.
Other lawyers refer their hardest cases
When a case turns on forensic science or is headed for trial, other attorneys refer it to this firm. If you are a lawyer with a DUI, forensic, or serious criminal case you want help on, the referrals page is the place to start.
