For over 48 years Jim Martin’s legal practice areas have been real estate, probate, estate planning and business law. He is Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar, and he has the highest ratings on Martindale, Avvo, and Super Lawyers.
Jim attended Georgia Tech, Stetson University, and Stetson University College of Law, earning bachelor’s and law degrees from Stetson in 1971 and 1974. While continuing his own law practice, he has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at Stetson since 2009. He was inducted into the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame in 2013. Stetson is nationally ranked #3 in trial advocacy and #3 in legal writing by U.S. News & World Report.
Jim enjoys writing books, articles, and forms for Florida probate, real estate, and business law, which have been published for over forty years:
- Jim wrote eight legal forms books for West Publishing on such legal practice areas as real estate transactions, business entities, nonprofit organizations, and specialized forms, comprising over 5,000 pages of legal forms.
- In 2022 Jim wrote five new free ebooks on real estate sales and leases, corporations, LLCs, and nonprofit corporations, which are also available in print form on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
- Jim’s articles on Florida real estate, probate, contracts, and business law have been published more than forty times in national and state legal publications.
- He writes the Florida Lawyer Jim Martin Blog with comments on Florida law and law practice.
- Jim received The Florida Bar’s Barbara Sanders Memorial Writing Competition Award for his article Fifty Tips for Writing the Contract That Stays Out of Court.
In almost five decades of law practice, Jim has drafted hundreds of wills and living trusts, handled real estate closings, litigated contract and probate disputes, drafted all sorts of contracts, and formed and advised businesses and nonprofit corporations.
In regard to his probate practice, Jim Martin served for six years on The Florida Bar Probate Rules Committee. He also served two terms as chair of the St. Petersburg Bar Association Probate Section.
In regard to his real estate law practice, Jim is Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar, and he served as chair of the St. Petersburg Bar Association Real Property Section. He also served as chair of its Business Law Section.
Nonprofits particularly intrigue him. As a young attorney in 1980, Jim Martin read in the Wall Street Journal article “U.S. Art World Dillydallies over Dalis” that Cleveland residents A. Reynolds Morse and Eleanor R. Morse were searching for a permanent home for their world-famous collection of works of art by Salvador Dali. After reading the article, Jim called Mr. Morse and suggested they move it to St. Petersburg, Florida. With strong local, state and federal support, the Morse’s Dali collection moved from Cleveland to St. Petersburg, and in 1982 the grand opening of the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg became a reality. For over forty years, Jim Martin has been active in the Dali Museum’s governance.
Education
- Stetson University College of Law, Juris Doctor (1971-1974)
- Stetson University, Bachelor of Science, Mathematics (1969-1971)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (1967-1969)
Certification
- Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar (2015-2025)
Ratings
- Super Lawyers Top Rated Real Estate Attorney in St. Petersburg, FL (2013-2022)
- Martindale Hubbell and Lawyers.com AV Preeminent Rating (1981 to 2022)
- AVVO 10.0 – 9.9 Rating (2012-2022)
Awards
- Hall of Fame, Stetson University College of Law (2013)
- Ben C. Willard Award, Stetson University College of Law (2011)
- Barbara Sanders Memorial Writing Competition Award, The Florida Bar Journal (2001)
- Marquis Who’s Who, Lifetime Achievement Award, Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law
Professional Associations
- Editorial Board, ALI-CLE The Practical Lawyer (2010-2016)
- The Florida Bar (1974-present), Probate Rules Committee (1994-2000), Coordinating Committee on Technology, Vice Chair and Chair (1990-1993)
- St. Petersburg Bar Association (1974-present), Real Property Section chair (2007-2008), Business Law Section chair (2008-2009), Probate Section chair (2006-2007 and 1999-2000)
Community Organizations
- The Dali Museum, Salvador Dali Museum, Inc., Attorney and Governing Body (1980-present)
- Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Councilman (1982-1983)
- City of St. Petersburg, City Councilman (1982-1983)
- Leadership St. Pete (1980) and Leadership Tampa Bay (1988)
Free Ebooks and Print Paperbacks
- Florida Real Estate Lease Agreements – A Collection of Forms for Lawyers (2022)
- Florida Real Estate Sales Contracts – A Collection of Forms for Lawyers (2022)
- How To Form a Florida LLC or Limited Liability Company – A Guide for Lawyers (2022)
- How To Form a Florida Business Corporation – A Guide for Lawyers (2022)
- How To Form a Florida Nonprofit Corporation – A Guide for Lawyers (2022)
Hardbound Legal Forms Books
- West’s Legal Forms, Volume 29, Nonprofit Organizations (2nd Edition 1986 and cumulative supplements 1987-1996, 3rd Edition 1997 and cumulative supplements 1998-2003, and 4th Edition 2004)
- Florida Jurisprudence Forms, Legal & Business, Volumes 1 through 15 (Cumulative Supplements 1998-1999)
- Florida Legal Forms, Volumes 1 and 2, Business Organizations, co-authored with Greg Yadley, Esq. (1990 and cumulative supplements 1991-1995)
- Florida Legal Forms, Volumes 3 and 4, Real Estate Transactions (1990 and cumulative supplements 1991-1995)
- Florida Legal Forms, Volumes 8 and 9, Specialized Forms (1990 and cumulative supplements 1991-1995)
- Florida Legal Forms, Execution of Florida Legal Documents (1992)
- Florida Corporations System (1984)
Articles
- Fifty Tips for Drafting Contracts (With Sample Provisions), The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education (August 2020)
- All Lawyers Are Solos – Aren’t We?, The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education (August 2015)
- Tips for Handling the Complex Real Property Transaction (With Forms and Checklist), The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education (September 2013)
- Solo Practice Management Basics, The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education (October 2012)
- Why You Need an Employee Policy for Electronic Information, The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (February 2010), The Family Advocate, American Bar Association Family Law Section (2009)
- I Want to Sign an Electronic Will, The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (June 2009)
- Don’t Print That Email, The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (April 2009)
- Ten Tips for Handling Complex Probate (With Forms), The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (August 2008), The Florida Bar Journal (February 2010)
- Going Paperless … Or Not?, The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (October 2007)
- A Model Electronic File Policy for the Law Office, The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (April 2007)
- May I Shred My Scanned Paper Files?, The Florida Bar News (December 1, 2006)
- Converting from Paper to Electronic Files, The Florida Bar News (November 1, 2006)
- I Want to Probate a Will in Federal Court, The Florida Bar News (June 1, 2006)
- How to Sue an LLC Member Without Piercing the Corporate Veil, The Florida Bar News (September 1, 2004)
- Is the Law of the Body a Body of Law?, The Florida Bar News (June 1, 2004)
- Be Careful Using Form Real Estate Contracts, The Florida Bar News (May 1, 2004)
- The Technology You Need to Project Vision of Your Case, The Practical Litigator, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (March 2004), The Florida Bar News (October 15, 2003)
- Forget To Put Your Client’s Address in the Judgment?, The Florida Bar News (March 1, 2004)
- Construction Contractors in Florida Are Incorporating, The Florida Bar News (February 1, 2004)
- Drafting the Contract or Settlement Agreement That Stays Out of Court, The Brief, Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association (2003), The Best Articles Published by the ABA, General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section, American Bar Association (September 2003)
- A Simple Computer File Management System for Lawyers, American Law Institute – American Bar Association, CLE Review (December 2003)
- A File Management System for Lawyers, The Florida Bar News (September 15, 2003)
- Jim’s Three Favorite Technology Tools, The Florida Bar News (July 15, 2003)
- Law Limits Homeowners’ Rights to Sue Contractors, The Florida Bar News (June 1, 2003)
- Forming a Small Music Business – The Who Meets the Whys and the Wherefores, The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (March 2002)
- Drafting the Settlement Agreement That Stays Out of Court, Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association Annual Convention, Chicago (2001)
- Tips for Drafting Purchase Contracts, Lorman Education Services (2001)
- Putting Your Entertainment or Sports Client’s Nest Egg in Florida – Legal Ways to Preserve Wealth, The E.A.S.L. Newsletter, The Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section (May, 2001)
- Fifty Tips for Writing the 21st Century Contract That Stays Out of Court, The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (November 2000), The Florida Bar Journal (November 1, 2000)
- New Law Says File Money Judgments with Department of State, The Florida Bar News (October 1, 2000)
- How to Write Letters Nonlawyers Will Read (With Sample Letters), The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (January 2000), The Florida Bar News (September 1, 1999)
- How to Write Contracts and Other Documents as a Professional in a Mechanistic World, The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (November, 1999), The Florida Bar News (August 1, 1998)
- Fifty Tips for Writing the Contract That Stays Out of Court, The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (May 1998), The Florida Bar News (August 1, 1997)
- Basic Legal Asset Protection and Estate Planning Concepts for Florida Residents, National Center for Preventive Law (April, 1993)
- Sincerely Yours Letter-Writing Macros, WordPerfect Magazine (August 1991)
- Notes from the Shell – Combining Notebook with WP Merge, WordPerfect Magazine (August 1990)
- Printing Special Characters, WordPerfect Magazine (July, 1990)
- A Ban on Adult Only Communities and Much More – The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, Probate & Property magazine, American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section (September 1989)
- 26 ALT Key Macros, WordPerfect Magazine (August 1989)
- Legal Documents – Typeset Your Own With WordPerfect 5.0, WordPerfect Magazine (August 1989)
- What I Bought Today – Of Scanners and Other Lawyer’s Tools, ABA Section of Economics of Law Practice, Word Processing User Groups (1988)
- A Client Letter, The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute – American Bar Association (July 1983)
- Structured Settlements: Protecting the Plaintiff, Trial Magazine, American Trial Lawyers Association (1982)
Speaking Engagements
- Basics of Contract Drafting, Basic Transactional Law, The Florida Bar CLE Committee and Young Lawyers Division (April 5, 2018)
- Drafting Settlement Agreements (That Stay Out of Court), The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Construction Law Committee (January 8, 2018)
- Basics of Contract Drafting, Basic Transactional Law, The Florida Bar CLE and Young Lawyers Division (March 24, 2016)
- Tips for Handling the Complex Real Property Transaction, American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education, Chair and Panelist (August 7, 2014)
- Getting to Paperless: A Lawyer or Law Firm’s Step by Step Guide, Basic Technology in the Law Practice, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division (May 10, 2013)
- Tips for Handling the Complex Real Property Transaction, St. Petersburg Bar Association Real Property Section (January 24, 2013)
- Solo Practice Management Basics, Solo Practice Institute, Stetson University College of Law (April 27, 2012)
- An Introduction to the Paperless Law Office (August 26, 2009)
- Snakes in the Grass: Hidden Real Property Issues in Probate, St. Petersburg Bar Association Real Property and Probate Sections (October 9, 2008)
- Ten Tips for Handling Complex Probate, St. Petersburg Bar Association Probate & Guardianship Section (October 18, 2007)
- 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 (February 23, 2007)
- 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 (August 4, 2001)
- Forming a Small Music Business: The Who Meets the Whys and the Wherefores, Does Size Matter? Representing the New Breed of Independent Labels, Annual Retreat Seminar, The Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section (May 27, 2001)
- The Lawyer’s Conscience: Professionalism and Ethics in Writing, The Florida Bar Journal & News Seminar, The Florida Bar Convention (June 21, 2001)
- Writing the Contract that Stays Out of Court, The Florida Bar Journal & News Seminar, The Florida Bar Convention (2000)
- How to Write Letters Nonlawyers Will Read, The Florida Bar Journal & News Seminar, The Florida Bar Convention (June 24, 1999)
- The Lawyer’s Conscience: Professionalism in Writing Contracts and Wills for a Mechanistic World, The Florida Bar Journal & News Seminar, The Florida Bar Convention (1998)
- Writing the Contract that Stays Out of Court, The Florida Bar Journal & News Seminar, The Florida Bar Convention (1997)
- Writing the Contract that Stays Out of Court, The Florida Bar Journal & News Seminar, The Florida Bar Convention (1994)
- Nonprofit Corporations in Florida, The Florida Bar Business Law Section (1981)
Jurisdictions Admitted To Practice
- Florida: The Florida Bar, 1974-present
- Federal:
- U.S. Supreme Court (1978-present)
- U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida (1974-present)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit (1974-1981)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit (1987-present)
Get in Touch
Fill out the contact form or call (727) 821-0904 to schedule your free consultation.- 1 Free Consultation
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