James W. Martin
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida
James W. Martin PA
Practice Areas: Estate Planning & Probate, Real Estate, Business & Corporate; view more
Licensed in Florida since: 1974
Education: Stetson University College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2023 Call today:
727-339-5454
Free Consultation James W. Martin PA
Murok Way S Greater Pinellas PointSt. Petersburg, FL 33705 Visit website
Details
James W. Martin is the president of the law office of James W. Martin, P.A., located in St. Petersburg, Florida. A solo practitioner Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar, he represents individuals and businesses in litigation and transactions relating to real estate, probate, and business matters.
Following the completion of his undergraduate studies in mathematics at Stetson University, Mr. Martin enrolled in the Stetson University College of Law in order to get his Juris Doctor degree. He has been granted permission to argue on behalf of his clients in all state courts in Florida and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He has been serving as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law since 2009, in addition to his law practice.
Mr. Martin has been an appointed member of various professional organizations, such as The Florida Bar’s Probate Rules Committee and Coordinating Committee on Technology and St. Petersburg Bar Association’s Real Property Section, Business Law Section, and Probate Law Section. To devote significant time and effort to the affairs of his community, he holds positions in the Salvador Dalí Museum.
A recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who in American Law and Lifetime Achievement award, he has also been honored with an AV Preeminent* rating through Martindale-Hubbell and a “Superb” 10.0 rating on Avvo and a 10.0 rating on Justia. He takes pleasure in sharing his knowledge with his fellow Florida attorneys by publishing his thoughts in the form of books, blogs and articles.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Estate Planning & Probate, Real Estate: Business, Business/CorporateFocus areas
Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Wills
- 50% Estate Planning & Probate
- 40% Real Estate: Business
- 10% Business/Corporate
First Admitted: 1974, Florida
Professional Webpage: https://www.jamesmartinpa.com/lawyers/james-w-martin/
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Do You Need Your Client’s Consent to Disclose Estate Planning Documents, The Practical Lawyer by the American Law Institute (ALI), December 2022
- Nonprofit Corporations in Florida, The Florida Bar Business Law Section
- Forming a Small Music Business: The Who Meets the Whys and the Wherefores, The Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section
- Solo Practice Management Basics, Stetson University College of Law
- Tips for Handling the Complex Real Property Transaction, St. Petersburg Bar Association Real Property Section
- Drafting Settlement Agreements (That Stay Out of Court), The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Construction Law Committee
- Structured Settlements: Protecting the Plaintiff, ATLA Trial Magazine
- A Client Letter, ALI-ABA The Practical Lawyer
- New Law Says File Money Judgments with Department of State, The Florida Bar News
- Law Limits Homeowners’ Rights to Sue Contractors, The Florida Bar News
- Converting from Paper to Electronic Files, The Florida Bar News
- Why You Need an Employee Policy for Electronic Information, ALI CLE The Practical Lawyer and ABA The Family Advocate
- Solo Practice Management Basics, ALI CLE The Practical Lawyer
- All Lawyers Are Solos – Aren’t We?, ALI CLE The Practical Lawyer
- Florida Business Law FAQ
- Florida Real Estate Law FAQ
- Florida Probate and Estate Planning FAQ
- West’s Florida Corporations System
- West’s Florida Legal Forms, Volumes 8 and 9, Specialized Forms
- West’s Florida Legal Forms, Volumes 3 and 4, Real Estate Transactions
- West’s Florida Legal Forms, Volumes 1 and 2, Business Organizations
- Florida Jurisprudence Forms, Legal & Business, Volumes 1 through 15 Supplements
- West’s Legal Forms, Volume 29, Nonprofit Organizations
- Fifty Tips for Drafting Contracts (with Sample Provisions), ALI-CLE The Practical Lawyer, Author, 2020
- How To Form a Florida Nonprofit Corporation: A Guide for Lawyers, Author, 2022, https://www.jamesmartinpa.com/practice-areas/ebooks/how-to-form-a-florida-nonprofit-corporation-ebook/
- How To Form a Florida Business Corporation: A Guide for Lawyers, Author, 2021, https://www.jamesmartinpa.com/practice-areas/ebooks/how-to-form-a-florida-business-corporation/
- How To Form a Florida LLC or Limited Liability Company: A Guide for Lawyers, Author, 2022, https://www.jamesmartinpa.com/practice-areas/ebooks/how-to-form-a-florida-llc-or-limited-liability-company-ebook/
- Florida Real Estate Sales Agreements: A Collection of Forms for Lawyers, Author, 2022, https://www.jamesmartinpa.com/practice-areas/ebooks/how-to-form-a-florida-llc-or-limited-liability-company-ebook/
- Florida Real Estate Lease Agreements: A Collection of Forms for Lawyers, Author, 2022, https://www.jamesmartinpa.com/practice-areas/ebooks/florida-real-estate-lease-agreements-ebook/
- "The Technology You Need to Project the Vision of Your Case," The Practical Litigator, ALI-ABA (Mar 2004), The Florida Bar News (Oct 15, 2003)
- "Practice Tip: It's Okay to Contact the Judicial Assistant," St. Petersburg Bar Association Paraclete (Nov 2003)
- "An Introduction to the Paperless Law Office", 2009
- "A File Management System for Lawyers," The Florida Bar News (Sep 15, 2003)
- "Jim's Three Favorite Technology Tools," The Florida Bar News (July 15, 2003), ALI-ABA CLE Review (Dec 26, 2003)
- "Snakes in the Grass: Hidden Real Property Issues in Probate", St. Petersburg Bar Association Probate & Real Property Section, 2008
- "Legislature Limits Homeowners' Rights to Sue Contractors," The Florida Bar News (June 1, 2003)
- "Drafting a Clear As-Is Agreement", St. Petersburg Bar Association Real Property Section, 2007
- "Drafting the Contract or Settlement Agreement That Stays Out of Court," The Brief (ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Winter 2003), The Best Articles Published by the ABA (ABA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section, Sep 2003)
- "Ten Tips for Handling Complex Probate", St. Petersburg Bar Association Probate & Guardianship Section, 2007
- "Forming a Small Music Business: The Who Meets the Whys and Wherefores," The Practical Lawyer ALI-ABA (Mar 2002)
- "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, 2001
- "Putting Your Entertainment or Sports Clients' Nest Egg in Florida: Legal Ways to Preserve Wealth," Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section Newsletter, Florida Bar (May 2001)
- "The Lawyer's Conscience: Professionalism and Ethics in Writing", Florida Bar Convention, 2001
- "Fifty Tips for Writing the 21st Century Contract That Stays Out of Court", ALI-ABA Practical Real Estate Lawyer & Florida Bar Journal (Nov 2000), The Florida Bar Journal 2001 Barbara Sanders Memorial Writing Competition Award, ALI-ABA's Practice Checklist Manual for Drafting Leases IV, June 2003
- "Forming a Small Music Business: The Who Meets the Whys and the Wherefores", Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section annual meeting, 2001
- "How to Write Letters Nonlawyers Will Read", The Practical Lawyer (ALI-ABA Jan 2000), Florida Bar News (Sep 1, 1999)
- "How to Write Letters Non Lawyers Will Read", Florida Bar Convention, 1999
- "The Lawyer's Conscience: Professionalism in Writing Contracts and Wills for a Mechanistic World", Florida Bar Convention, 1998
- "Godzilla in Cyberspace: Art Meets the Internet Police; Legal Tips for Artists Working Online," Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Pinellas County Arts Council, 2002
- "Writing the Contract That Stays Out of Court", Florida Bar Conventions, 1994, 1997, 2000
- "Tech Check for Lawyers," "Document Scanning System for Lawyers," & "Computer Security for Lawyers," St. Petersburg - Clearwater Bar Associations Technology Seminar, 2004
- "The Technology You Need to Project the Vision of Your Case," Bench & Bar Conference, Stetson College of Law, St. Pete.-Clearwater Bar Associations, 2003
- “Getting to Paperless: A Lawyer or Law Firm's Step-by-Step Guide", Florida Bar Young Lawyers Basic Technology Course, 2013
- Book author: "West's Florida Corporations System", 1984
- Tips for Handling the Complex Real Property Transaction, St. Petersburg Bar Real Property Section, 2013
- Book author: "Nonprofit Corporations and Associations", volume 29, West's Legal Forms 2nd, 3rd and4th editions 1986-2004), 2004
- Books author: "Real Estate Transactions", West's Florida Legal Forms Volumes 3 and 4 (1991-1995), 1995
- "How to Write Contracts and Other Documents as a Professional in a Mechanistic World" ("The Lawyer's Conscience: Professionalism in Writing Contracts and Wills for a Mechanistic World"), The Practical Real Estate Lawyer (ALI-ABA Nov. 1999), Florida Bar News (Aug 1, 1998)
- Books co-author with Greg Yadley: "Business Organizations", West's Florida Legal Forms Volumes 1 and 2 (1991-1995), 1995
- "Fifty Tips for Writing the Contract That Stays Out of Court", The Practical Real Estate Lawyer (ALI-ABA May 1998), Florida Bar News (Aug 1, 1997)
- Books author: "Specialized Forms", West's Florida Legal Forms Volumes 8 and 9 (1991-1995), 1995
- "A Ban on 'Adult Only' Communities and Much More: The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988", Probate & Property, Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section, American Bar Association (Sept/Oct 1989)
- Supplements Editor: Florida Jur Forms, volumes 1 - 15, West Publishing (1998 & 1999), 1999
- "How to Protect the Plaintiff in a Structured Settlement", Trial Magazine, ATLA (1982)
- "I Want to Sign an Electronic Will", The Practical Lawyer, ALI-ABA (June 2009)
- "A Client Letter", The Practical Lawyer, ALI-ABA; Getting to Paperless: A Lawyer or Law Firm's Step-by-Step Guide", Florida Bar Young Lawyers Basic Technology Course (2013)
- "Don't Print That Email", The Practical Lawyer, ALI-ABA (April 2009)
- Tips for Handling the Complex Real Property Transaction, ALI CLE The Practical Lawyer (accepted for publication 2013)
- "Ten Tips for Handling Complex Probate (With Forms)", The Practical Lawyer, ALI-ABA (Aug 2008)
- Basics of Contract Drafting, The Florida Bar CLE Committee and Young Lawyers Division, 2018
- "Ten Tips for Handling Complex Probate (With Forms)", The Practical Lawyer, ALI-ABA (Aug 2008)
- "Going Paperless...Or Not", The Practical Lawyer, ALI-ABA (Oct 2007)
- "A Model Electronic File Policy for the Law Office", The Practical Lawyer, ALI-ABA (April 2007), The Florida Bar News (Nov 1, 2006)
- "May I Shred My Scanned Paper Files", The Florida Bar News (Dec 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 (Sep 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 (April 30, 2004)
- "Forget to Put Your Client's Address in the Judgment?", The Florida Bar News (Mar. 1, 2004)
- "Construction Contractors in Florida Are Incorporating," The Florida Bar News (Feb. 1, 2004)
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Councilman, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
- Trustee/Executive Committee/Attorney, Salvador Dali Museum, Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida (1980-present)
- City Councilman, City of St. Petersburg, Florida, 1982
- Councilman, Pinellas County Arts Council (1997-2001), 2001
- Graduate, Leadership Tampa Bay (Board of Directors 1989), 1988
- Board of Directors, Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, 2003
- Board Attorney, St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, 1992
- Graduate, Leadership St. Pete (Planning Committee 1982), 1980
- Board of Trustees, and Secretary, Florida International Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida (1992-94), 1994
- Co-founder, Bring Back the Vinoy, Inc., 1984
Educational Background:
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Stetson University, B.S., Mathematics
- Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 1974
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Stetson University College of Law
- All State Courts, Florida
- Chair, Coordinating Committee on Technology of the Florida Bar
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, The Florida Bar
- Probate Rules Committee, The Florida Bar, 1994
- Chair, Probate Law Section of St. Petersburg Bar Association, 2000
- Chair, Probate Section of St. Petersburg Bar Association, 2007
- Chair, Real Property Section of St. Petersburg Bar Association , 2008
- Chair, Technology Section of St. Petersburg Bar Association, 2004
- Chair, Business Law Section of St. Petersburg Bar Association, 2009
- Editorial Board, ALI CLE The Practical Lawyer, American Law Institute - American Bar Association (2010-2016)
- Secretary, The Florida Bar Law Office Management Section, 1980
- U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals for 11th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Videos:
- Video of James W. Martin's bio shown at 2013 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, Florida, 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee James Martin, Stetson University College of Law, 2013
Honors/Awards:
- Hall of Fame, Stetson University College of Law, 2013
- Ranked #3 in Trial Advocacy, U.S. News & World Report
- Ranked #3 in Legal Writing, U.S. News & World Report
- Rated 10 by Justia
- Top Rated Estate and Trust Litigation Attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida, Super Lawyers
- Marquis Who’s Who in American Law and Lifetime Achievement Award
- Journal Writing Competition Award, The Florida Bar
- Rated 10 - 9.9 by AVVO
- Who's Who in Entertainment
- Barbara Sanders Memorial Writing Competition, The Florida Bar Journal, 2001
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale Hubbell and Lawyers.com
- Who's Who in the World
- Ben C. Willard Award, Stetson Lawyers Association, 2011
- Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America
- Who's Who in the South/Southwest
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Real Estate Law, Florida Bar Board, 2015
Office location for James W. Martin
Murok Way S Greater Pinellas Point
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Phone: 727-339-5454
Selections
7 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2023
Certificates and credentials
Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Real Estate
Real Estate
