Kimano Edwards is a tough and disciplined trial lawyer who has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Florida Rising Star” and by Best Lawyers in America as “One to Watch.” He is a fighter forged in the trenches of law enforcement, prosecution, and high-stakes litigation. As the Founder and Managing Attorney of Edwards Law, he channels his experience as a police officer, deputy sheriff, state prosecutor, and trial attorney in both civil defense and plaintiff litigation into relentless advocacy for his clients.
As an Assistant State Attorney, he prosecuted a wide range of criminal offenses—from municipal ordinance violations to serious felony cases—managing high-volume dockets and litigating matters in court daily. As a police officer, Kimano protected and served the communities of Gainesville, Florida and Jacksonville, Florida. Serving fourteen (14) years in law enforcement sharpened his instincts, giving him the ability to dismantle weak cases. Whether it’s cross-examining hostile witnesses, negotiating against insurance defense firms, or standing toe-to-toe with aggressive opposition, he thrives in high-pressure environments.
With experience on both sides of the courtroom, Kimano brings a balanced and strategic perspective to every case. Before founding Edwards Law, he practiced as a trial attorney at a prominent personal injury firm, recovering millions of dollars for injured clients. On the defense side, he represented individuals, businesses, and insurers in casualty, tort, and complex commercial disputes, including matters involving construction defects, contract breaches, healthcare coverage, real estate and title issues, land use and zoning, and premises liability in high-stakes litigation in both state and federal courts.
Born in Jamaica and raised in South Florida, Kimano earned his Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Education from the University of Florida (UF) and obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He is a recipient of UF Law’s Dean Leadership Award that recognizes outstanding service to the UF Law community and a U.S. President’s Student Service award for his commitment to community service.
While in law school, Kimano earned multiple book awards, received the highest grade in criminal law, and outstanding achievement certificates for his pro bono and community service work. He was a member of the Student Recruitment Team, a UF Law Ambassador, a GatorLaw Mentor, and a Trial Practice teaching assistant. Kimano was also the Founder and President of the Kappa Mu Epsilon Chapter of the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society, and Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Technology Law and Policy. He also clerked for a U.S. District Judge, interned at the State Attorney’s Office for three semesters, and spent a semester in practice at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
In law enforcement, Kimano served as class leader for both his police academy class and his Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office hired class. He worked as a narcotics detective, task force officer, patrol officer, and police supervisor, as well as a field training officer. He earned multiple commendations, including Officer of the Month honors at both Gainesville Police Department and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Beyond the courtroom, Kimano has been deeply involved in civic and professional leadership. His service includes mayoral and city council appointments to Jacksonville’s Board of Library Trustees and the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business (JSEB) Monitoring Committee, among others.
A graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy, Kimano also mentored future lawyers through programs such as the Raines Future Lawyers and Leaders initiative and as a motivational speaker. He serves on the Florida Bar’s Leadership Academy Committee and the Student Education and Admissions to the Bar Committee.
Kimano is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida, U.S. Immigration Courts, and all Florida state courts.
