Attorney

Joseph DeFelice

Associate Attorney
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Joseph DeFelice, Associate Attorney
Contact Joseph DeFelice
Office: Tallahassee
Undergraduate Education Florida State University, 2020
Law School Education Florida State University College of Law, 2023
Entered the BAR 2023
Practice Areas

Civil Litigation, Administrative Law, and Worker’s Compensation

Joseph DeFelice specializes in representing physicians, Office Surgery Registrations, and other healthcare professionals and clinics in obtaining licensure in Florida. Joseph represents practitioners seeking a license in Florida with out-of-state discipline, medical malpractice history, criminal history, or other background issues that might otherwise disqualify them from being licensed. In doing so, he advises his clients on the legal intricacies of Florida’s complex licensure laws, and attends Board meetings with practitioners in support of their licensure applications. Joseph also represents Florida practitioners facing disciplinary action or investigation before the Florida Board of Medicine, Florida Board of Dentistry, Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine, and other Florida Boards. In addition to representing his clients in licensure and disciplinary proceedings, Joseph also provides counsel on Office Surgery Registration compliance and national accreditation.

As the son of a Medical Doctor specializing in Oncology and a Registered Nurse, Joseph has a passion for representing health care professionals. He handles cases in various areas of law involving civil litigation, administrative law, and worker’s compensation in defense of clients’ rights and practices out of the firm’s Tallahassee location.

Joseph joined Howell, Buchan & Strong as a law clerk in 2021 and advanced to Associate Attorney in 2023. He graduated from Florida State University College of Law with a Juris Doctor in 2023 and earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University in 2020. During law school, he was a member of the Florida State University Business Law Review and Business Law Society.

Joseph was admitted to practice in all state courts of Florida, the Northern District of Florida, and the Middle District of Florida, and serves as an Attorney with Howell, Buchan & Strong.

What Clients Say About Joseph DeFelice

Recent Posts by Joseph DeFelice

Compliance with Disciplinary Final Orders: What happens if I fail to comply?

May 27, 2026 | Joseph V. DeFelice
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and their professional regulatory Boards have authority over health care practitioners and facility licenses in Florida. This includes taking disciplinary action against those licenses....

Timelines for Submitting a Medical Application for Licensure Using the MOBILE Application

Mar 04, 2026 | Joseph V. DeFelice
The Department of Health (DOH) licenses health care providers in Florida, from physicians to nurses and more.  It is their job to issue licenses to qualified candidates.  DOH has online....

Timelines for Submitting a Medical Application for Licensure Using the Examination Application

Mar 02, 2026 | Joseph V. DeFelice
The Department of Health (DOH) licenses health care providers in Florida, from physicians to nurses and more and it’s their job to issue licenses to qualified candidates.  There are two....

New Changes to Florida’s Officer Surgery Rules: Failed Inspections and the Impact on Your Practice

Feb 26, 2026 | Joseph V. DeFelice
Our office continuously monitors Florida Board of Medicine activities for changes in Florida’s office surgery laws and rules. We always recommend that office surgery facility owners, designated physicians, and surgeons....

Helpful tips: Signs and Information Required in Physician Offices

Feb 24, 2026 | Joseph V. DeFelice
Physicians in the State of Florida are required, by the Department of Health, to post certain signs in their office.  The Legislature passed laws requiring certain signs and information to....

Common Mistakes Physicians Make that are Avoidable: How to Avoid an Administrative Complaint

Oct 20, 2025 | Joseph V. DeFelice
In a medical practice, you are busy with your patients and rightfully so.  As a result, sometimes physicians forget about their obligations to their medical license and that can result....

The Importance of Legal Counsel for Your Florida MOBILE Application

Sep 29, 2025 | Joseph V. DeFelice
Applying for a Florida medical license is one of the most important milestones in a physician’s career. For many doctors, particularly those who are already licensed in another state, a....

Background Screening Issues? How to Get Your Florida Medical License

Jul 15, 2025 | Joseph V. DeFelice
Applying for a Florida medical license is a major milestone in a health care provider’s career, but if you have background screening issues, the process can quickly become overwhelming. Whether....

The Importance of Job Offer When Applying for a Florida Medical License

Jun 16, 2025 | Joseph V. DeFelice
If you are applying for a Florida Medical License, you must understand the significance of obtaining an offer for employment as a physician prior to appearing in front of the....

Fraud Alert: Protect Your Professional License from Scams

Jun 13, 2025 | Joseph V. DeFelice
At Howell, Buchan & Strong, we remain committed to protecting the rights and professional standing of Florida’s licensed health care practitioners. Recently, a wave of fraudulent activity targeting licensees has....

Florida’s New Health Law Opens Licensing Pathway for Physicians with NPDB Reports

Jun 11, 2025 | Joseph V. DeFelice
What House Bill 1299 Means for Medical Professionals in Florida Howell, Buchan & Strong is committed to helping health care professionals navigate Florida’s complex and evolving licensing landscape. One of....

Helpful Tips: Being Prepared for Your Appearance Before a Licensing Board

May 29, 2025 | Joseph V. DeFelice
Appearing before a licensing board can be a very intimidating experience. The members of the licensing board have your livelihood in their hands and it means everything to you. First....