About Norman Elliott
Norman Elliott Kent was a prominent criminal defense attorney and publisher based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1976 and maintained an active license until his passing in 2023. Kent was the founder and publisher of The Express in 1999 and South Florida Gay News in 2009. He also hosted a morning drive talk show on WFTL-1400 AM from 1989 to 1992.
Kent earned his Bachelor of Arts from Hofstra University in 1971 and his Juris Doctor from Hofstra School of Law in 1975. After relocating to Fort Lauderdale in 1976, he established his law practice, the Criminal Defense Law Center of South Florida, alongside his law partner, Russell Lonnie Cormican. Throughout his career, Kent was a staunch advocate for civil rights, particularly in the areas of First Amendment and constitutional rights. He represented clients in media law cases and was a pioneer in medical necessity defenses for marijuana users.
In 1982, he sued the State of Florida to stop the spraying of paraquat on marijuana fields. Kent was a member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Legal Committee for over thirty years and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2013 to 2014. He authored 'The Pot Warriors Manifesto' and contributed marijuana advocacy columns to Counterpunch.org. In 2002 and 2007, Kent faced disciplinary actions from The Florida Bar, resulting in modifications to his practice.
Despite these challenges, he continued his legal and advocacy work until his death on April 13, 2023. Kent's contributions to criminal defense and civil rights have left a lasting impact on the legal community. His dedication to advocating for marginalized groups and his pioneering efforts in cannabis law have been widely recognized.
