Mr. Dutton obtained his doctorate of law in 1984 from Ohio Northern University, Pettit College of Law, which is one of the oldest law schools in the United States. During law school Mr. Dutton was honored on the Dean’s List during his second and third years of legal study. While in law school Mr. Dutton also received a diploma from the Institute of Comparative and International Law located at Oxford University in Oxford, England. During Mr. Dutton’s course of study at Ohio Northern University, he was a member of the editorial staff of the Ohio Northern University Law Review. While on the Ohio Northern University Law Review, Mr. Dutton published The Court Vetoes the Legislative Veto: Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha, analyzing a landmark United States Supreme Court decision on bicameralism, the separation of powers doctrine and the Presentment Clause of the United States Constitution. Mr. Dutton was also selected to the Order of Barristers for having exhibited excellence and obtained high honor through the art of courtroom advocacy. Mr. Dutton also served as a justice on the law school’s Moot Court Executive Board, and was the justice in charge of the First Year Appellate Advocacy Program. While in law school, Mr. Dutton also participated in four national moot court competitions, including the Fall National Moot Court Competition, the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition (Best Written Memorial), and the Benton Privacy Law Competition (Team Coach). Additional achievements by Mr. Dutton while in law school included the authorship and publication of articles on constitutional law which have been published nationally, selection as research assistant to Professor Paul Edwards, and participation on the faculty hiring committee. For Mr. Dutton’s outstanding academic achievement in law school, he was selected to Who’s Who Among American Law Students. Prior to law school, Mr. Dutton’s Bachelor of Arts degree and graduate work was in the field of international relations and international affairs at Florida International University in Miami, Florida where he was born. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Dutton was a firefighter and paramedic with the City of Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Florida. While there Mr. Dutton became one of the first certified paramedics in the State of Florida. He also received a Certificate of Compliance for State Firefighter awarded by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. While serving as a paramedic, Mr. Dutton was also selected to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team for the City of Miami Beach Police Department where he received training from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Army Special Forces in Urban Warfare. Mr. Dutton also received training in fire prevention and enforcement of fire codes and building codes during his education and experience as a firefighter. Professional organizations in which Mr. Dutton is a member include the American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association where he serves as its Continuing Legal Education Chairperson. Mr. Dutton is a charter member of the Medical Claims Defense Network and has served on its board of directors.
