The Lions' Den, Attorneys at Law

Jonathan E. May, Esq., MA

Founding Owner and Attorney

Founding Attorney Jonathan May graduated from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. He is admitted to the Florida Bar (0110057) and is admitted to the Southern District of Florida, Federal Immigration Court (A41684), Federal Tax Court and Federal Bankruptcy Court. He has been recognized as a Superlawyer since 2020 and has received many legal advocacy awards including “Immigration Lawyer of the Year”, “Top 100 Attorneys”, “Top 3 Business Lawyers” and “Ten Best Attorneys”.

Attorney May achieved a Master’s Degree in Communication Studies (scientific experimentation of communication patterns) and taught debate, persuasion, interpersonal communication and persuasion at the collegiate level. He is a natural born strategist and sought out competitive strategy activities all throughout his life.

Biography

Jonathan May, Esq., M.A. studied communications at the University of Illinois and the University of Miami and Law at Nova Southeastern University.  Attorney May developed skills in leadership, teaching, coaching and physical training as a collegiate football coach with the University of Miami, University of Illinois and Florida International University. 

Attorney May then became a communications professor and has taught at over sixteen schools in the area.  This is a unique background that has helped contribute to his success in the legal field.  Most people are not aware that a communications background involves education and the development of skills in many areas that attorneys use everyday.  Linguistics helps one with the decisions process of the most appropriate word usage to convey an idea to another person.  Literary devices can involve the use of metaphors and analogies that help another person understand a complex idea and help create a comparison of characteristics.  Cultural communications helps one to communicate with people of different backgrounds and language styles.  Interpersonal communication helps one communicate in a one on one situation and teaches one how to show empathy for others, to react appropriately and supportively and to avoid communication that may be inappropriate for a specific situation.  Group communication teaches one about the roles in a group and the many roles that must be filled in order for a group to maximize it’s efficiency and effectiveness.  Persuasive speaking helps one break down an argument to its core and to analyze its different components and the process to tailoring points for ones specific audience.  Informative speaking helps introduce an unknown subject area to an audience.  Listening helps one grasp information provided efficiently and to analyze the information. 

Attorney May co-founded The Lions’ Den directly after graduating from law school and has been working to grow the practice ever since.  Attorney May learned under Janine Rice with the Broward State Attorney office and contributed to the prosecution against felony domestic violence offenders.  Attorney May volunteered for about a year about twenty hours per week with Dade Legal Aid to gain valuable legal experience in probate, client retention and other areas of law.  Attorney May volunteered with Fidelity National Title Group in order to learn how to handle permit disputes and coordinate with city officials to work out violations.  Attorney May is admitted to practice before the Tax Court, Immigration Court, Bankruptcy Court, Federal Court for Southern District of Florida and the Florida Bar. 

Attorney May is a Christian that started a church named Connecting Christ. Community outreach and building are an important part of his life.   

Education

  • University of Illinois
    • Bachelor of Arts and Sciences Degree in Speech Communication
  • University of Miami
    • Master of Arts Degree in Communication Studies
  • Nova Southeastern University
    • Juris Doctorate Degree

Licenses

  • Admitted to practice before the Federal Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. 

  • Admitted to practice before the Federal Immigration Court. 

  • Admitted to practice before the Southern District of Florida Federal Court.

  • Admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court

  • Coauthored the Book Police Promotion Preparation 

  • Real Estate License (2015)

  • Florida Notary Public (2015)


Legal Experience

  • Dade County Legal Aid, Put Something Back Program 
    • ​Pro Bono Attorney Volunteer: 200 Pro Bono hours in 2015.
  • Fidelity National Title Group
    • Internship​
    • Real Estate Title Dispute Resolution
  • Office of the State Attorney, 17th District, Broward County​
    • ​Felony Domestic Violence Unit Internship
    • Court Experience everyday
  • Huron Consulting Group/Synergy Legal Document Review 

Communications Professor 

  • Teach key areas of communication relevant to law including debate, interpersonal communication, persuasion, business communication, perspective and more
  • Nova Southeastern University
  • Keiser University (Ft Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, West Palm Beach)
  • Keiser Career College (North Miami)
  • Praxis Institute (MIAmi and Hialeah)
  • Everest Institute (Kendall, Hialeah, Miami) 
  • Miami Dade College (Wolfson, North, Interamerican, West)
  • CBT (North Miami)

 Jonathan May’s Awards

  • Winner in the category of – Civil Law – USA
  • Finance Monthly – Legal Awards 2023
  • 2022 CBRD Best Businesses in America
  • 2022 SuperLawyers Rising Star
  • 2021 SuperLawyers Rising Star
  • 2020 Corporate Livewire Global Awards Immigration Lawyer of the Year
  • 2020 Superlawyers “Rising Star”
  • 2020 Lawyers of Distinction appearing in the publication “The American Lawyer”
  • 2020 Finance Monthly Legal Awards for Civil Law
  • 2020 Invitation to Distinguished Justice Advocates 
  • 2019 Three Best Rated  “Top 3 Business Lawyers”
  • 2019 Association of American Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Attorneys”
  • 2019 Ten Best Law Firms Selection for Florida
  • 2019 Feature in 20th anniversary South Florida Legal Guide
  • 2019 The National Asosciation of Distinguished Counsel Fellowship Invitation
  • 2018 Marquis Who’s Who Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2017 Opporty Best Real Estate Law Firm in Miami, Florida
  • 2017 American Institute of Family Law Attorneys “Ten Best Attorneys” 
  • 2017 International Finance Award for “Best Wills, Probate and Inheritance Law” in Florida by Acquisition International Magazine
  • American Institute of Family Law Attorneys recognition as “10 Best Attorney”
  • 2017 Acquisition International Magazine: Best Family Law Firm to The Lions Den and Jonathan May
  • 2017 Finance Monthly Global Award “Immigration Law Firm of the Year”
  • 2017 Requested feature in Gayborhood for helping the LGBTQ community
  • 2017 Lawyer Monthly Legal Award for Civil Law, Lawyer of the Year in the United States
  • 2017 Marquis Who’s Who in American Law Biography Candidate and Featured Attorney 
  • 2017 Yelp Five Star Review
  • 2016 Custody XChange “Top 10 Family Law Attorneys”
  • 2016 Three Best Rated  “Top 3 Divorce Attorney”
  • 2016 Yelp “People Love Us on Yelp” Award
  • 2014 Thumbtack “Top 3 Divorce Attorneys in Palmetto Bay”
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