Dartland, Walt

Walter T. Dartland was born January 17, 1935. He is widely known for his expertise on consumer protection, investment and insurance fraud, and public interest issues. He earned a national reputation for diligence and effectiveness in exposing frauds and deceptive practices perpetrated against citizens and businesses alike. He gained national recognition as a consumer advocate from 1975 until 1986 while he was serving as the Miami-Dade County Consumer Advocate. Through his association with consumer groups, senior citizen organizations, and Florida business leaders, he exposed schemes directed at Florida’s elderly and low-income populations. In 1987, he was named Deputy Attorney General under Attorney General Bob Butterworth. For two years Dartland oversaw litigation in environmental protection, land use, consumer protection, antitrust enforcement, and execution of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). At the request of the Attorney General, Dartland rejoined the office to serve as Special Counsel on critical issues from 1996 to 2000. While serving as Special Counsel, he earned the admiration of industry leaders for his unique ability to work with businesses to effectuate solutions to complex business transactions. Dartland has been involved with numerous professional, civic and charitable boards. Notable positions include past vice-president of the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, past Chairman of the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Committee, past president of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Florida, past president of the Florida Association of Accountants in the Public Interest, board member of the Consumer Federation of America, founding member and co-chair of the National Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, member of the National Board of Common Cause, and chair of Florida Common Cause. Dartland’s education began at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutes, where he earned a B.S. Degree in Engineering. He went on to earn a law degree from the University of Michigan. At some point in his career, he returned to Michigan when elected District Attorney.

Creator Source: Local Authority File