Derrick Valkenburg was born in Gainesville, Florida, and raised in Winter Park, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting, with Honors, from the University of Florida. During Derrick’s undergraduate years, he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, an Associate Justice of the Student Traffic Court, Assistant Student Body Treasurer, and interned with an international public accounting firm. Derrick obtained his Juris Doctorate and Master of Accounting from the University of Florida, as well. As a law student and graduate accounting student, he was the Chief Justice of the Student Traffic Court, Vice President of Florida Blue Key, a student member of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, and a Certified Legal Intern for the Florida State Attorney’s Office in Hillsborough County, Florida. Since graduating law school, Derrick has tried approximately 20 criminal jury trials, and 4 civil jury trials to verdict, countless non-jury trials and evidentiary hearings.

Derrick is admitted to practice before all Florida courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Florida.