Ricky Patel
| Ricky Patel | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 4, 1982 |
| 🏳️ Nationality | American |
| 🏫 Education | Juris Doctor, St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law |
| 💼 Occupation | lawyer, inventor, author, philanthropist |
Ricky K. Patel (born May 4, 1982) is an American lawyer, inventor, author, and philanthropist. He is an attorney at law serving as Of Counsel with Akerman LLC in Miami and has also authored children's books with his daughter.[1] Patel is the youngest person appointed to Barack Obama’s National Finance Committee. He also served as an ambassador for the Clinton Global Initiative.[2]
Early life and education
Patel was born on May 4, 1982. He attended Florida State University in 2003, receiving a BA degree in international affairs with a focus on genocide prevention in 2006. He subsequently went to St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree in 2009.[3]
Career
In 2015, Patel represented American football player Dalvin Cook in a high-profile criminal case. Dalvin Cook was wrongfully arrested and suspended from Florida State University for allegedly attacking a woman. Patel took the case to trial and received a unanimous jury verdict of not guilty for his client. In addition, Patel was able to show with overwhelming testimony that his client never touched the victim.[4][5][6][7][8]
Patel also represented Hall of Fame NFL football player Warren Sapp. In September 2020, the lawsuit was resolved in the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, Florida, in favor of former NFL player Warren Sapp. Patel was quoted after winning the case "We don’t believe in just winning a case, but believe in sending a message to those who wish to act improperly. We will not just beat the opposition, we will annihilate them!".[9]
In 2023, Patel was interviewed by Goodmorning America for his work on the Key West parasailing wrongful death case which left two children without a mother.[10]
Patel has co-authored a couple of children's books. The first book, The Beautiful Caterpillar, which he co-authored with his daughter, was developed as an educational tool for children to learn about sexual predators, bullying, body shaming, and discrimination awareness. The second book, Believe, was an inspirational story for children, which he co-authored with Judge Tarlika Nunez-Navarro.[1]
Philanthropy
Patel founded the ITS4THEKIDS foundation to benefit children in need both nationally and internationally. The foundation has teams in Florida, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Puerto Rico.[11][12][13]
As of 2023, ITS4THEKIDS has delivered over 500,000 servings of food to children in need. The foundation started several projects, including Bags of Hope, Bridge the Gap, Pitch Perfect, Drums of Hope, and Hope Child. Patel continues to provide over 10,000 duffel bags a year to children entering the foster care system.[14][11][15][16][17]
In 2021, Patel was awarded the auspicious Martin Luther King Award by his Alma mater for the work he continues to do in underserved communities.[18]
In 2020, Patel launched the Pay It Forward Scholarship, which provides $20,000 yearly to law students who have established a social program that helps those in need.[19]
Patel supports various other charitable organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, VAWA (Violence Against Women's Act), Haitian Orphanage, American Red Cross, and Nicklaus Children's Hospital, where he served as chair of the board of trustees. In 2012, Patel and his firm organized a charity event where they raised over $1.2 million in funds for the hospital. In 2016, Patel helped to establish Gracious Hands Orphanage, which cares for 42 boys and girls aged 2 to 16 years old in Gressier, Haiti. Patel initially raised over $200,000 in supplies and cash to provide the orphans with housing, schooling, staff, and other necessities. Since 2016, Patel has taken his team frequently to provide direct care and assistance to the children.[20][21][22]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Daddy & Daughter Release Children's Book to Help Girls Avoid Predatory Behavior and Know their Self-Worth". news.marketersmedia.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Miami Children's Young Ambassadors 6th Annual Fashion Gives Back Celebration in the Miami Design District". World Red Eye. 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ kparker (2015-08-28). "Graduates Score Big Court Win in FSU Battery Case – STU Law News". St. Thomas University News. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Dalvin Cook not interested in a plea deal, prepared to countersue in order to clear name". FanSided. 2015-07-14. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ Wells, Adam. "Dalvin Cook Found Not Guilty of Misdemeanor Battery". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Lawyer for Seminoles RB Dalvin Cook refutes allegations". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Attorney: Suspended Florida State RB Dalvin Cook did not strike woman". www.sportingnews.com. 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Help for Haiti: Volunteers in Doral fill drum-sized barrels with food to be sent to orphanages". WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale. 2021-08-08. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ Siegler, Mara (2020-08-31). "Warren Sapp accuser ordered to pay former NFL star's legal fees". Page Six. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Its4TheKids Hosts 'Drums of Hope' to Provide 140,000 Servings of Nourishing Foods to Children's Orphanage in Haiti | Southeast Florida". spotonflorida.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Miami Dolphins, Its4thekids team up to distribute 1,000 meals". WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale. 2020-10-12. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ PRNewswire. "With Launch of New Foundation and ITS4THEKIDS.com, Philanthropist Ricky Patel Just Made it Easier to Help a Child in Need". Benzinga. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Miami Children's Young Ambassadors 4th Annual Fashion Gives Back at the Moore Building". World Red Eye. 2015-09-28. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Events | Nicklaus Children's Hospital Foundation". give.nicklauschildrens.org. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Yamile (2020-10-27). "STU Law Student & Alumnus Come Together To Serve The Community". St. Thomas University News. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Its4TheKids Hosts 'Drums of Hope' to Provide 140,000 Servings of Nourishing Foods to Children's Orphanage in Haiti". Hubbiz. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Lawyer: Trial for FSU RB Dalvin Cook could be over in one day". CBSSports.com. 2015-08-14. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ Graff, Brett (2021-02-08). "SocialMiami - The Edit by Brett Graff". SocialMiami. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Philanthropist Ricky Patel Announces New Initiative: Pays Law Students to Give Back". news.marketersmedia.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ Admin (2018-05-24). "SocialMiami - 6th Annual Fashion Gives Back". SocialMiami. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ America, Good Morning. "Husband of woman killed while parasailing shares warning to other families". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ "Philantrophic Support | 2017 Annual Report | Nicklaus Children's Health System". annualreport.nicklaushealth.org. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
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