James W. Chandler, Esq. is the owner of the Law Office of James W. Chandler, P.A. where focuses his practice on Federal and State Criminal Defense, Family and Marital Law, Juvenile Delinquency and Dependency and Domestic Violence (Injunction) cases. Their practice is circuit wide and they routinely practice these areas in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Hendry Counties. Mr. Chandler is also certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Civil, Family Law, Appellate, and County Court Mediator as well as a qualified arbitrator. Mr. Chandler has been appointed as a Federal Mediator for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Prior to the formation of the Law Office of James W. Chandler, P.A., he was a partner in the Law Office of Agoston & Chandler, P.A.
Mr. Chandler joined the Law Office of David T. Agoston in October 2008 after more than three years in the Collier County State Attorney's Office where he prosecuted in Misdemeanor (County Court), Juvenile Delinquency (Circuit Court) and Adult Felony (Circuit Courts). Prior to joining the State Attorney's Office he was an Associate at the Law Firm of Romsa & Kuker, LLC in Boulder, Colorado practicing primarily criminal defense and family law. Prior to that time he worked as a clerk in a Federal Criminal Defense firm in Denver, Colorado.
For years Mr. Chandler has accepted court appointments (both Federal and State), and has been able to help the indigent litigants of Collier County and Southwest Florida.
Mr. Chandler is a native of Huntington, West Virginia and a member of the Lee County Bar Association, the Collier County Bar Association, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The Michael R.N. McDonnell Chapter of the American Inns of Court (past group leader), The Florida Bar Family Law Section, The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section, and the Collier County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Past President, Past Vice-President, Past Treasurer).
Mr. Chandler also offers his time as a member of the Florida Bar Speaker’s Bureau.
Mr. Chandler has been nominated via a rigorous peer review process and named to Florida SuperLawyers for twelve years in a row (2013-2024) and has been featured in Florida SuperLawyers magazine. In 2019 and again in 2024 Mr. Chandler was named to Naples Top Lawyers by Naples Illustrated magazine and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Mr. Chandler is a featured contributor on the popular web blog Avvo.com, where the public may ask local attorneys in their geographic and practice area legal questions, and has achieved a 10.0 Superb rating (the highest possible rating).
Mr. Chandler is a 2000 graduate of West Virginia University, and a 2002 graduate of the University of Denver, College of Law. Mr. Chandler is licensed to practice in the State of Florida, State of Colorado, and the District of Columbia. Mr. Chandler is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States.
In his spare time, he enjoys being a SCUBA Instructor (PADI Course Director & Tec Trimix Instructor Trainer) at Scuba Outfitters of Naples, playing golf, boating, fishing and countless activities. During football season he can be found anywhere he can watch his West Virginia Mountaineers.
Past Employment Positions:
Agoston & Chandler, P.A., Attorney and partner, 2011-2012
Law Office of David T. Agoston, P.A., Attorney at Law, 2008 – 2011
State Attorney's Office, Assistant State Attorney, 2005 – 2008
Romsa & Kuker, LLC, Attorney at Law, 2004 - 2005
Fraternities/Sororities:
Pi Kappa Phi
Gamma Beta Phi Society
Recent Volunteer work:
President, Reflection Lakes at Naples Condo Association, (March 2007- June 2012),
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
Past Volunteer, Ave Maria Board of Visitors Mentor Program,
Past Volunteer, Collier County Teen Court,
Past Volunteer, Alumni Admissions Council, University of Denver,
Past Volunteer, Collier County High School Mock Trial Competition (judge, and past team advisor),
Past Volunteer, Ave Maria School of Law Moot Court Competition,
Past Volunteer, Meals of Hope Holiday Meal Program
Awards
Florida SuperLawyers 2013 – 2024 inclusive
Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent rating
Martindale Hubbell Silver Client Champion Rating
