Jacob Stuart, Jr.

Bar / Professional Activity

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Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• Client Charged with Aggravated Stalking and Cyber Stalking: Lead Trial Counsel with client being charged with aggravated stalking and cyber stalking; a jury of the client’s peers found him not guilty after a 2-day trial.
• Client Charged with Aggravated Battery with Great Bodily Harm: Lead Trial Counsel with client being charged with 2 counts of aggravated battery; a jury of the client’s peers found him not guilty after a 1-day trial.
• Client Charged with DUI with Great Bodily Harm: Lead Trial Counsel with client being charged with driving under the influence with great bodily harm; a jury of the client’s peers found him not guilty after a 3-day trial.
• Client Charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon: Lead Trial Counsel with client being charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; a jury of the client’s peers found him not guilty after a 1-day trial.
• Client Charged with 3rd Degree Murder: Lead Trial Counsel with client being charged with 3rdDegree Murder (manslaughter); a jury of the client’s peers found him not guilty after a 4-day trial.
• Client Charged with Trafficking in Controlled Substances: Lead Trial Counsel with client being charged with 4 various counts of Drug Trafficking; a jury of the client’s peers found him not guilty after a 3-day trial.
• Client Charged with Sexual Battery: Lead Trial Counsel with client being charged with 2 counts of Sexual Battery; a jury of the client’s peers found him not guilty after a 2-day trial.
• Client Charged with Armed Robbery: Lead Trial Counsel with client being charged with 3 counts of Armed Robbery with a Firearm; a jury of the client’s peers found him not guilty after a 3-day trial.
• Client Charged with Attempted Murder: Lead Trial Counsel with client being charged with 4 counts of Attempted 1st Degree Murder; a jury of the client’s peers found him not guilty after a 4-day trial.
• Trial Counsel for Art Dealer in Recovery of Florida Highwaymen Art: Represented an art dealer that specializes in Florida’s Highwaymen Art. The dealer had sold multiple high-value pieces to a broker but was never paid the agreed upon funds by the broker. After filing suit in circuit court, the high-value collections were recovered with additional funds paid to the dealer bythe broker.
• Trial Counsel for Attorney Facing Seven (7) Simultaneous Bar Complaints, a Criminal Investigation, and Civil Investigations/Suits: Represented an attorney who allegedly laundered over $70,000.00 in client funds - among other allegations - that would likely result in permanent disbarment. The attorney was only suspended for five (5) years and allowed to reapply to the Bar at conclusion of suspension. Multiple formal criminal and civil inquiries were ongoing prior to the commencement of representation; ultimately, no such inquiries resulted in formal charges/suits.
• Advocate for Homeowners Against Local Government Regulation, Homeowners Association, and Developer: Represented homeowner in regard to fraudulent actions by developer and homeowner’s association related to a new “spec house” that was purchased by the client. After almost two (2) years of administrative law litigation with the St. Johns River Water Management District, the homeowner’s association, and developer, client was able to sell the home without any encumbrances for over $200,000.00 more than he paid three (3) years prior.
• Advocate for Homeowners Against Local Government Regulation: Represented multiple homeowners and management companies regarding their right to use Third-Party Rental Applications for their permanent residences after being fined and sanctioned; following both criminal and civil investigations by city representatives and multiple public meetings, all charges being dismissed with all cities retracting all fines.
• Counsel for College Student in Media and Allegations by University: Represented a student at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in an Administrative Hearing. Student was being expelled for social media comments made about former social partner that merited attention from global media outlets. Administrative litigation resulted in UCF dismissing all allegations and fully reinstating the student, allowing timely graduation with no penalty nor any record of any allegations.
• Trial Counsel for a Former Executive Accused of Capital Sexual Battery: Represented a former software executive who was accused of capital sexual battery by his niece. The Client was in his 60’s and had no prior criminal history. The State filed formal charges solely based upon the sworn testimony of the alleged victim. The alleged victim claimed that twenty (20) years prior to making the accusations, she had been sexually abused by the client during family trips to Disney World in 2001 and 2002. The alleged victim had a long history of mental health issues and many family problems occurring over decades, related to her continued pattern of lies and misstatements. Due to the severity of the allegations, if convicted, the client faced a mandatory sentence of life in prison. After an extensive nationwide internal investigation on behalf of the client, working with multiple former FBI agents, and several motions to dismiss, the state dismissed all counts against the client.
• Trial Counsel for Tourism Executive: Represented an Executive Vice President of one the country’s largest hotels in dealing with criminal allegations of sexual abuse and battery by an employee. After less than 30 days, all charges were dismissed by the State of Florida and the client was reinstated back in his position as Executive Vice President.
• Trial Counsel for Medical Doctor: Represented a military medical doctor in a Volusia County criminal prosecution for allegedly battering her husband; resulting in all criminal allegations being dismissed within 3 days. Also represented said military doctor before Indiana Professional Licensing resulting in full reinstatement and renewal.
• Trial Counsel for Medical Doctor: Represented a medical doctor in a federal and statewide criminal prosecution for the alleged theft and laundering of over $3 million in Medicare and Medicaid benefits; resulting in the doctor being able to keep his medical license without a criminal conviction.
• Trial Counsel for Executives: 1). Represented a mortgage broker who was the target of a Federal Investigation, alleging mortgage fraud of over $10 million. Ultimately, no charges were filed by the Department of Justice after a 2-year investigation and Jury Trial of other codefendants. 2). Represented a business executive who was the target of an alleged fraudulent “time-share” violation. Ultimately, no charges were filed by the Department of Justice after a yearlong investigation and no sanctions were imposed. 3). Represented a land developer in allegations of fraud that resulted in a warrant for his arrest from a state judge in a civil case. After active litigation, the warrant was quashed, and the allegations of fraud were dismissed.
• Trial Counsel for Elected Officials: 1). Represented an elected official during an administrative and ethical investigation by the Florida Elections Commission. Ultimately, all claims were dismissed after a year-long investigation and administrative litigation. 2). Represented an elected official who was the target of criminal prosecution for allegations involving violations of Florida’sSunshine Law; all charges were dismissed after year-long litigation, with the city repaying the client for all attorney’s fees. 3). Represented an elected official during impeachment-like proceedings, seeking to remove official from duly elected office. After a trial-like hearing, City Council voted not to remove elected official from office and no sanctions were imposed. 4). Represented an elected official and partner in criminal investigation for actions after a council meeting. The state attorney’s office declined to file any charges.
• Trial Counsel in Federal Civil/Criminal Whistleblower Case Involving Family of Medical Doctor: Represented a family during the process of a civil Whistleblower and Qui Tam Federal Suit in the Middle District of Florida. Successful litigation resulted in an out-of-court-settlement for $9.2 million less than Federal Government first demanded. In addition, no criminal or civil actions were taken against any member of the family, nor any others associated with the original case.
• Trial Counsel in Osceola County Civil Jury Trial: Retained as trial counsel for a client who was originally offered potential civil settlement of $24,000 after law enforcement illegally ransacked her home and arrested her without probable cause. Law enforcement believed the client’s home was the center of an illegal operation but had raided the wrong home because of their negligence. Law enforcements actions left the client with PTSD and other very serious health issues directly related to their grossly negligent actions. After a five-day jury trial in Osceola County, the jury returned a verdict awarding the client $730,000.
• Trial Counsel for a Fortune 500 Company: Represented a Fortune 500 Company for over five (5) years in Central Florida, during multiple interactions with local governments and municipalities; during representation, prevailed in every case (30) against local governments; all cases were dismissed in Circuit and County Courts.
• Admitted Pro Hoc Vice for State Drug Trafficking Charges in Montana: Represented a client accused of drug trafficking in Montana. If convicted, the client faced a substantial mandatory prison sentence. After being admitted pro hoc vice, and arguing several dispositive motions on behalf of the client, all charges against the client were dismissed.
• Admitted Pro Hoc Vice for State Drug Trafficking Charges in Michigan: Represented a client who was at a wedding in Michigan and was accused of mailing himself a large amount of different types of illegal drugs for the reception. The charges filed against the client carried a minimum mandatory time in prison. After being admitted pro hoc vice, and several dispositive pretrial motions, the district attorney dropped all trafficking charges, and the judge agreed to allow the client to serve a short time of probation.
• Admitted Pro Hoc Vice for a Former Defense Contractor Accused of Sexual Battery in North Carolina: Represented a retired defense contractor who was accused of sexual battery and voyeurism of his niece – who was staying with the client and his wife during the COVID-19 pandemic. The alleged victim had a long history of mental health issues, and the case required an extensive investigation into the alleged victim’s past. The client had no criminal history and held a previous high-level security clearance. If convicted, the client faced a mandatory prison sentence and sex-offender status. After being admitted pro hoc vice, the case was resolved favorably for the client, with the client receiving no prison, jail, nor being labeled a sex-offender.
• Trial Counsel Against the Governor: Represented Florida’s teachers and students during a nationally covered case throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic against the Governor of Florida and Florida’s Education Commissioner; in response to a controversial order, mandating schools to open for in-person classes before they were ready. After prevailing during a week-long “virtual” bench trial, appellate judges struck down Final Order as unconstitutional.
• Trial Counsel for a Commercial Construction Company Against the Department of Justice: Represented a commercial construction company that was a target of a federal criminal investigation. The allegations from the United States Department of Justice included that the company, along with the CEO and sales managers, were involved in anti-trust practices throughout Florida. After an internal investigation, and reviewing over 200,000 emails, the company and its ownership were given confidential immunity by the Department of Justice without the payment of any fines or costs.
• Trial Counsel in Alleged “Ghost Candidate” Statewide Investigation and Prosecution: Represented a political consultant who was indicted based upon an alleged statewide investigation beginning with a new article from the Miami Herald. Client was accused of orchestrating a “ghost candidate” campaign in a Florida Senate race and was charged with multiple felonies. Because of the political climate, there were over fifty (50) stories in the Orlando Sentinel and Miami Herald related to the client’s case and resulted in litigation to ensure the client received a fair trial. After almost two (2) years, and many depositions and pretrial motions, the case concluded with all felonies being dismissed.

Honors

• Received the designation as a 2017 & 2020 “Florida Legal Elite Up and Comer" in the latest Florida Trend
• Recognized a “Rising Star” By Super Lawyers, 2015-2020

Educational Background

• Emory University, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Philosophy, and Political Science
• Stetson University, Masters in Business Administration

• Government Relations