Guy S. Emerich (Director) admitted to bar, 1970, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.A., 1967; J.D., with honors, 1970); University of Miami (LL.M., in Estate Planning, 1984). Guy S. Emerich is a Director at the Farr Law Firm and previously served as the firm's President and Managing Director. He is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates since 1988 and has a Master of Laws in estate planning. Mr. Emerich's practice focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and real estate law. Mr. Emerich counsels his clients in establishing trusts and preparing wills to protect and preserve assets, minimize taxes and avoid probate. He has experience in dealing with his clients' complex legal and tax issues and prepares federal estate tax returns and fiduciary accountings. Mr. Emerich, who has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell, joined the firm in 1971.
Mr. Emerich is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, which is a professional association of approximately 2,700 trust and estate attorneys nationwide who have been affirmed by their peers as having made outstanding contributions to the practice of estate and trust law. He served for over ten years on the Southwest Community Foundation Board.
Notably, Mr. Emerich has been selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers in the area of Wills, Trusts and Estates. Super Lawyers is a publication that recognizes outstanding lawyers, a distinction earned by only 5 percent of lawyers in the state. He has also been recognized for inclusion as one of Florida Trend's Legal Elite, by his peers from 2004-2008 and was also peer appointed to the Best Lawyers in America list from 2007-2009. He has had the distinction of being recognized by the community for numerous years as the Sun Herald's Best Lawyer of Charlotte County in recognition of his trusts and estates practice. Member: Charlotte County (Past President) and American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar (Co-Vice Chairman, Mentoring Committee, Executive Council of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section); Charlotte Estate Planning Counsel; American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. (Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education).. Practice Areas: Wills; Trusts and Estates; Probate; Real Estate; Estate Planning.Email: Guy S. Emerich
Jack O. Hackett II (Director) admitted to bar, 1979, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.A., 1976; J.D., 1979). Jack O. Hackett II is a Director at the Farr Law Firm and previously served as the firm's President and Managing Director. He is a Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate Attorney and concentrates his legal practice on real estate and business law. He represents clients in transactions dealing with all areas of residential and commercial real estate acquisition and development and has represented clients in a number of high profile real estate transactions. He also provides counsel to a wide range of business clients in the formation, organization, and management of business entities. Mr. Hackett, who has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell, joined the firm in 1979. Mr. Hackett is a member and past president of the Charlotte County Bar Association. He is also a member of the 20th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission which is comprised of 9 members, appointed by the Governor. The Committee is responsible for screening, interviewing and nominating applicants to fill judicial vacancies. Mr. Hackett has been active with The Florida Bar and previously served as chair of both the General Practice Section and the 20th Circuit Grievance Committee "C". He served on the Board of Governors and as the Publications Chairman for the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar and is a past member of the Executive Committee of The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. While in law school, Mr. Hackett served as chief tax editor for the University of Florida Law Review. He is General Counsel to the Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port Association of Realtors and the Englewood Area Board of Realtors and was a governor's appointee on the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council. Member: Charlotte County and American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar. (Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education). Practice Areas: Real Estate; Business; Commercial Lending.Email: Jack O. Hackett II
Charles T. Boyle (Director) admitted to bar, 1983, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.S., with highest honors; J.D., with honors; M.Ed., with honors). Charles T. Boyle, a Director at the Farr Law Firm, is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Marital and Family Law. Mr. Boyle also practices civil litigation and real estate. He provides clients with legal counsel in all areas of matrimonial and family law, including divorce, equitable distribution, division of business interests, division of retirement assets, tax issues, child support, parenting issues, domestic violence, and pre-nuptial agreements. Mr. Boyle is an experienced litigator, counseling clients through all phases of conflict resolution. His real estate practice encompasses residential transactions and title services.
Mr. Boyle, who has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell, joined the firm in 1983.
Mr. Boyle is a certified Family Law Mediator and was appointed by the Chief Administrative Judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit as a special master and hearing officer for family law cases. In this position, cases would be heard by the hearing officer who would then state his findings and recommendations. These rulings would be signed off by the Judge and have the same force as if entered by the Circuit Judge. Mr. Boyle also formerly served as the Child Support Enforcement Administrator for the Clerk of the Court of Charlotte County from 1988-2000. Member: Charlotte County Bar Association; The Florida Bar. (Board Certified Marital and Family Law Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education). Practice Areas: Domestic and Family Law; Civil Trial Practice; Business Litigation; Probate Litigation; Business Law; Real Estate.Email: Charles T. Boyle
Darol H. M. Carr (Director) admitted to bar, 1983, Florida. Education: University of South Florida (B.A., summa cum laude, 1980); Georgetown University (J.D., 1983). Darol H. M. Carr is a Director at the Farr Law Firm. He concentrates his legal practice in personal injury law, commercial litigation, and civil litigation. Mr. Carr represents injured clients and their families in obtaining compensation for their losses, working closely with these clients to ensure that the responsible party covers all damages. He has trial experience in both state and federal lawsuits, and provides counsel to individuals and corporations - from small businesses to national companies - in every aspect of trial presentation. Mr. Carr, who has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell, joined the firm in 1983. Mr. Carr is the 1978 Harry S. Truman Scholar from Florida. Mr. Carr was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush as a member of the 20th Judicial Nominating Committee from 2001 through 2006, serving as Chairman of the Committee in 2003 and 2004. Governor Bush also appointed Mr. Carr to the District Board of Edison College in 2000 and again in 2002. Mr. Carr finished his tenure in 2005 as the Board's Vice-Chairman. He also previously instructed legal writing and research at Georgetown Law Center and served as a staff member for the American Criminal Law Review which is the nation's premier journal of criminal law. Mr. Carr served in the United States Air Force for 4 years. Member: Charlotte County Bar Association (Past President); The Florida Bar; Florida Justice Association; American Association for Justice. Practice Areas: Personal Injury; Civil Trial Practice; Litigation; Civil Litigation.Email: Darol H. M. Carr
David A. Holmes (Managing Partner) admitted to bar, 1993, Florida. Education: George Washington University; University of Florida (B.A., Political Science and History, 1990); Stetson University (J.D. cum laude, 1993). David A. Holmes is President and Managing Director of the Farr Law Firm. He focuses his practice primarily in asset protection and civil litigation with specialization in business, commercial and construction disputes, corporate and business law, and real estate. In the area of construction law, Mr. Holmes regularly represents owners, general contractors, and lenders in connection with commercial and residential construction projects and disputes. He also regularly represents lenders and other creditors in mortgage foreclosures and the enforcement and collection of commercial debt obligations. Mr. Holmes' substantial litigation experience includes commercial and residential construction disputes, enforcement and collection of commercial debt obligations and mortgage foreclosures. In the area of corporate and business law, Mr. Holmes advises and assists clients in the formation, organization and management of business entities and in contractual disputes. Mr. Holmes has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell, joined the firm in 1993. He is certified as a Circuit Court Mediator by the Florida Supreme Court. Mr. Holmes is a member of the Charlotte County Bar Association and served as Chairman of the 20th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee "C" for Charlotte County. He also serves as a member of both the Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Legal Fraternity and the Order of the Barrister. While in law school, Mr. Holmes participated in trial advocacy competitions sponsored by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He received the American Jurisprudence Award for Scholarship in Torts and was champion of a national mock trial competition in 1993 called the ATLA National Student Trial Advocacy Competition. Member: Charlotte County Bar Association; The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Civil Trial Practice; Construction Law; Construction Litigation; Asset Protection; Real Estate; Corporate Law; Business Law; Commercial Litigation.Email: David A. Holmes
Gary A. Kahle (Director) admitted to bar, 1969, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.A., 1966; J.D., with honors, 1969). Gary A. Kahle, a Director at the Farr Law Firm, is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Real Estate Law. His practice focuses on real estate and business law. His real estate practice includes the representation of buyers and sellers in residential and commercial transactions, issuance of title insurance, commercial lending, real estate development and real property litigation. Mr. Kahle has prepared the documentation for the creation of many of the area's residential and commercial condominiums and provides representation to condominium and homeowners' associations. He also provides representation to a wide range of business and professional clients in the formation of business and professional practice entities including corporations, limited liability companies, professional service corporations and professional limited liability companies. Mr. Kahle has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell and joined the firm in 2000. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida with honors where he was a member of the Law Review and elected to the Order of the Coif. Following law school Mr. Kahle served four years with the United States Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps. He is a member of both the Real Property and the Business Law Sections of The Florida Bar and is a member and past president of the Charlotte County Bar Association. Member: Charlotte County Bar Association (Past President); The Florida Bar (Member, Sections on: Real Property; Business Law). (Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education).. Practice Areas: Business Law; Condominium Law; Real Property Law.Email: Gary A. Kahle
Jennifer R. Howell (Director) admitted to bar, 1998, Florida. Education: Stetson University (B.A., with honors, 1995; J.D., cum laude, 1997). Jennifer R. Howell is a Director at the Farr Law Firm. She is the only Florida Bar Board Certified Elder Law attorney in Charlotte County, and she focuses her practice on elder law, estate planning, and probate and trust administration. She works with clients in navigating the complexities of Medicare and Medicaid coverage, tax issues, in-home care, powers of attorney, and medical directives. Mrs. Howell also assists clients through estate planning by preparing wills, establishing trusts and handling probate. Mrs. Howell joined the firm in 1998. She also serves as the Charlotte County Representative for the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Both are non-profit organizations that aid lawyers and others who work with elder clients. Mrs. Howell conducts seminars in the community on topics such as Florida residency, Medicaid planning and estate planning. Member: Charlotte County Bar Association (President, 2008); The Florida Bar; Charlotte Estate Planning Council; National Academy of Elder Law. (Board Certified Elder Law Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education). Practice Areas: Estate Planning; Probate; Elder Law; Medicaid Planning; Asset Protection.Email: Jennifer R. Howell
Roger H. Miller III (Director) admitted to bar, 2002, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.S.B.A., 1998; J.D., 2001). Roger H. Miller III is a Director at the Farr Law Firm. He focuses his legal practice on civil litigation and real estate. Mr. Miller represents individuals and businesses in general litigation matters, real estate and property disputes, mortgage foreclosures and construction litigation. He also represents clients in both residential and commercial real estate transactions, providing legal counsel on contract preparation, commercial development and lending, and residential closings. Mr. Miller joined the firm in 2002. He received a Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, from the University of Florida majoring in both finance and insurance. He also received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida. Mr. Miller is a member of the Charlotte County Bar Association and the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. He was a Pro Bono Project participant of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Law Clerk Program which is a volunteer internship program at the University of Florida Law School. While in law school, Mr. Miller worked as a Certified Legal Intern for Virgil Hawkins Civil Clinic at the University of Florida and was defense counsel for the Student Honor Court. Member: Charlotte County and American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Real Estate.Email: Roger H. Miller III
Dorothy L. Korszen (Director) admitted to bar, 1988, Florida; 1991, Wisconsin. Education: University of Florida (B.S.E., 1980); University of Miami (J.D., 1988). Dorothy L. Korszen is a Director at the Farr Law Firm. Her legal practice focuses on estate planning, real estate, probate, and business and corporate law. She works with clients in preparing wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents to ensure that the resulting plans accurately reflect their wishes. Mrs. Korszen works with clients through the probate process of administering assets upon one's death. She also represents clients in real estate transactions dealing with all areas of residential and commercial real estate and provides counsel to businesses of all sizes in the formation, organization and management of business entities. Mrs. Korszen joined the firm in 2003. She practiced in both Miami and Milwaukee before returning to Florida and serving as a volunteer with the Guardian ad Litem program, an organization that represents Florida's abused and neglected children in Court. Ms. Korszen received her Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering from the University of Florida and earned a Professional Engineer registration from the state. She received her Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami. Mrs. Korszen is a member of the Charlotte County Bar Association as well as a member of the Charlotte County and Venice Area Estate and Tax Planning Councils. She is also very active as a member of the Englewood Area Board of REALTORS and the Englewood Women's Council of REALTORS. Mrs. Korszen formerly served as a member of the Inter-American Law Review, which publishes a legal periodical at the University of Miami. Member: Charlotte County Bar Association; The Florida Bar; State Bar of Wisconsin; Charlotte Estate Planning Council; Venice Area Estate Planning Council. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Trusts and Estates; Probate; Wills; Business Law; Corporate Law.Email: Dorothy L. Korszen
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William W. Sunter (Associate) admitted to bar, 2005, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.A., Finance, cum laude, 2001); Stetson University (M.B.A., 2004); Stetson University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2004). William W. Sunter is an associate at the Farr Law Firm. He focuses his legal practice on civil, real property and probate litigation as well as guardianship. He counsels clients through all the phases of conflict resolution, beginning with the pre-litigation and continuing into filing, discovery, trial, and appeal, if necessary. Mr. Sunter has experience in all forms of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation. Mr. Sunter joined the firm in 2005 after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in Finance from the University of Florida. He then received his Juris Doctor degree, also cum laude, and his Master of Business Administration from Stetson University. Mr. Sunter is a member of the American Bar Association and the Charlotte County Bar Association. He formerly served as Co-Director of the Mediation, Negotiating, and Client Interview Team at Stetson College of Law and in 2004 he won the Robert R. Merhige Jr. National Environmental Law Negotiation Competition in Richmond, Virginia. Member: Charlotte County and American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Real Property; Civil Litigation; Probate Litigation; Guardianship.Email: William W. Sunter
Natalie C. Lashway (Associate) admitted to bar, 2009, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.A., cum laude, 2006); University of Florida Levin College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2009). Natalie C. Lashway is an Associate at the Farr Law Firm and focuses her legal practice on marital and family law. Ms. Lashway received her Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Criminology from the University of Florida. While in law school, Ms. Lashway worked as a certified legal intern at the Virgil Hawkins Civil Clinic in Gainesville where she represented clients in a variety of marital and family law matters. She also participated in an externship with the Family Law Division of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court where she worked with the Pro Se Case Manager. In addition, Ms. Lashway volunteered her time with Three Rivers Legal Services in Gainesville in the Pro Se Divorce Clinic and with the Homeless Program. Member: The Florida Bar.Email: Natalie C. Lashway
Eric M. Decker (Associate) born 1980; admitted to bar, 2008, Florida, U.S. District, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Education: American Intercontinental University (B.A., Accounting and Finance, summa cum laude, 2005); University of Florida Levin College of Law (J.D., 2008). Eric M. Decker is an Associate at the Farr Law Firm and focuses his legal practice on civil litigation. He represents clients in all stages of conflict resolution, from the pre-litigation phase to the closing of a case. While in law school, Mr. Decker received an honors designation in Appellate Advocacy and participated in the William C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot competition for law students. Mr. Decker previously worked as a certified legal intern at the Office of the Public Defender for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, where he represented clients in a variety of criminal matters. He previously served in the United States Marine Corps as an aerial navigator. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Decker was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation.
Forrest J. Bass (Associate) admitted to bar, 2009, Florida. Education: Flagler College (B.A., cum laude, 2006); Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 2009). Forrest J. Bass is an Associate at the Farr Law Firm and focuses his legal practice on estate planning. Mr. Bass received his Juris Doctor degree, from Stetson University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Business Administration from Flagler College. While in law school, Mr. Bass served as the Recent Developments Editor for the Stetson Law Review where he earned the Outstanding Worker Award and has had his work published. He also received the Suzanne Armstrong Award for Excellence in Legal Writing and Professional Conduct and the St. Petersburg Times Award for Best Write-On Competition Paper with the Stetson Law Review. Mr. Bass worked as a Federal Judicial Intern with the Honorable Mark A. Pizzo with the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida as well as a Research Assistant to Dean Theresa J. Pulley Radwan and a Teaching Fellow with the Stetson Research & Writing Department. He also was inducted into the Phi Delta Phi International Honors Legal Fraternity. Member: The Florida Bar.Email: Forrest J. Bass
OF COUNSEL
Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. (Of Counsel) admitted to bar, 1951, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.A., 1948; J.D., 1967). Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. is Senior Counsel at the Farr Law Firm. He has formerly served as the firm's President and Managing Director. He focuses his legal practice on real estate and business law. Mr. Farr represents clients in transactions dealing with all areas of residential, commercial, and recreational real estate development, and he has facilitated a number of high profile real estate cases. Notably, Mr. Farr obtained all the dredge and fill permits from the Federal and State Government agencies for the development of Punta Gorda Isles. He also counsels business clients in the formation, organization and management of business entities and in business and real estate transactions. He has represented the Babcock family and businesses, most recently in the sale of Babcock Ranch. Mr. Farr, who has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell, joined the firm in 1951. Mr. Farr formerly served as the Treasurer for the 12th Judicial Circuit and previously held a position on The Florida Bar's Board of Governors which has the responsibility of adopting policies concerning the activities of the Florida Bar. Member: Charlotte County Bar Association (Past President); The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Business Law.