Jim has practiced law for 40 years.  Jim represents clients in a wide variety of business planning and estate planning matters, real estate transactions, business transactions and disputes at all levels of complexity. He handles lawsuits in state and federal courts at trial and appellate levels throughout Florida.  In addition to other bar memberships, Jim is a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, where he has argued (and won) three cases. 

Jim’s practice areas include, among others, simple and complex estate planning, estate and gift tax planning, real estate matters and real estate related litigation, including construction issues and disputes, appellate practice, public agency representation, and representation of businesses and individuals in transactional matters and business disputes.

Jim grew up in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and is a life-long northeast Florida resident.  He received his undergraduate degree (with high honors) and law degree (with honors) from the University of Florida. 

Since 1994, the first year he was eligible, Jim has had an A-V rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the nation’s leading lawyer-rating publication.  A-V ratings are awarded only to those lawyers who demonstrate the highest level of professional competence and ethics.  He has served for two separate terms on Grievance Committees of The Florida Bar, which are appointed by the Bar to handle client complaints against attorneys and to uphold and enforce the Bar’s standards of lawyer ethics.

Jim spends his spare time with Mary, to whom he has been married for 41 years, their four children, Jennifer, Jack, Katie and Carey, and their spouses, and soaking up as much time as he can with his grandchildren, Isabel, Jaxson, River and Andrew. 

Areas of Practice

• Appellate Practice

• General Litigation

• Estate Planning & Trust Administration

• Probate and Guardianship

• Elder Law

• Medicaid Planning for Nursing Home Assistance

• Business Formation and Planning

• Business Disputes and Litigation

• Real Estate Transactions, Disputes and Litigation

• Construction Law

• Appellate Practice

Professional and Bar Admissions

• Florida

• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

• Supreme Court of the United States

• Chester Bedell Inn of Court, Alumnus

Education

• University of Florida, Frederic G. Levin College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1981)

• University of Florida (B.S. summa cum laude, 1977)