James W. Martin is a real estate and probate attorney in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, who has practiced law and developed expertise and experience in Florida real estate, wills, trusts, and probate law. He attended Georgia Tech, Stetson University, and Stetson University College of Law, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a Juris Doctor in law. He is Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education and has written articles for the American Law Institute, American Bar Association, and The Florida Bar Journal. He has also written legal books for West Publishing on the subjects of Florida real estate, corporations, and contracts law.

In addition to his law practice, James W. Martin is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law where he teaches Advanced Legal Writing: Contract Drafting and Law Practice Management. He was inducted into the Stetson Law Hall of Fame in 2013. Stetson is nationally ranked #1 in trial advocacy and #3 in legal writing by U.S. News & World Report.

St. Petersburg attorney James W. Martin has the highest  ratings on Justia, Martindale, Lawyers, Avvo, and Super Lawyers. He has drafted and reviewed hundreds of wills and trusts and handled the legal aspects of all types of probate and trusts including administration and litigation. He served for six years on The Florida Bar Probate Rules Committee, and he has served as chair of the St. Petersburg Bar Association Real Property Section, Business Law Section, and Probate Law Section.

James W. Martin has written nationally-published law books, legal articles, and legal forms for Florida attorneys, including eight legal forms books for West Publishing, comprising over five thousand pages of legal forms. His articles on Florida probate, wills, real estate, contracts, and business have been published in national and state bar publications.

Hall of Fame Induction Video

Law School Faculty Position

Highest Attorney Ratings

Awards

Education

  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Stetson University, Bachelor of Science B.S. in Mathematics
  • Stetson University College of Law, Juris Doctor J.D.

Professional Associations

  • Probate Rules Committee of The Florida Bar, past member
  • Coordinating Committee on Technology of The Florida Bar, past chair
  • Probate Law Section of St. Petersburg Bar Association, past chair
  • Real Property Law Section of St. Petersburg Bar Association, past chair
  • Business Law Section of St. Petersburg Bar Association, past chair
  • American Bar Association American Law Institute The Practical Lawyer, Editorial Board, past member

Articles Author – Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Probate

Articles Author – Real Estate Law and Drafting Contracts

  • Do You Need Your Client’s Consent to Disclose Estate Planning Documents, Sarasota Board Certified Group
  • Ten Tips for Handling Complex Probate, St. Petersburg Bar Association Probate & Guardianship Section
  • Snakes in the Grass: Hidden Real Property Issues in Probate, St. Petersburg Bar Association Real Property and Probate Sections
  • The Lawyer’s Conscience: Professionalism in Writing Contracts and Wills for a Mechanistic World, The Florida Bar Convention
  • Tips for Handling the Complex Real Property Transaction, American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education; St. Petersburg Bar Association Real Property Section
  • Drafting a Clear As-Is Agreement, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the As-Is Sale But Were Afraid to Ask, St. Petersburg Bar Association Real Property Section
  • Writing the Contract that Stays Out of Court, The Florida Bar Convention
  • Drafting the Settlement Agreement That Stays Out of Court, Presidential Showcase Program, Litigating with Power and Professionalism, American Bar Association Tort & Insurance Practice Section, ABA Convention, Chicago
  • Drafting Settlement Agreements (That Stay Out of Court), The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Construction Law Committee

Courts Admitted To Practice

  • Florida:
    • All State Courts
  • Federal:
    • U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for 11th Circuit
    • U.S. Supreme Court

Community Positions

Contact

If you have the need for a St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida lawyer, you may use the contact form below or call James W. Martin directly at 727-821-0904 or email him at jim@jamesmartinpa.com .

The text on this page was written by James W. Martin, Esq. and was last updated on July 31, 2025.

Get in Touch

For your initial consultation, just fill out the Leave a Message form or email jim@jamesmartinpa.com or call (727) 821-0904.
  1. 1 Highest Ratings
  2. 2 Decades of Experience
  3. 3 Quick Response

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