Biographical Highlights
EDUCATION:
U. S. Naval Academy
University of Florida, B.A., 1968
University of Florida, J.D., 1972
FLORIDA BAR ADMISSION:
June, 1972
COURT ADMISSIONS:
United State Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida
Courts of Florida
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
1973: Florida Department of Commerce, Division of Labor (migrant farm workers’ housing conditions)
1989: Akerman, Senterfitt and Eidson, Orlando, FL
1976-1989: Sole Practice, Orlando, FL
1989-1994: Partner, DeWolf, Ward, O’Donnell, & Hoofman, P.A.
1994-Present: Sole Practice, Orlando, FL; Kissimmee, FL
AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Bankruptcy, Commercial and General Civil Litigation, Mediation
SIGNIFICANT CASES:
Schultz v. State, 361 So. 2d 416 (Fla., 1978); (constitutional challenge to statute)
Cameron v. Outdoor Resorts of Am., Inc., 608 F.2d 187 (11th Cir., 1979): on rehrg., 611 F.2d 105 (11th Cir. 1980); (securities fraud)
In re Sunny Beach Motel, Inc.; 84 B.R. 806 (Bankr. M.D. Fla., 1988); (counsel for creditors’ committee, mortgage fraud; equitable subordination)
In re Berkley Multi-Units, Inc., 102 B.R. 852 (Bankr. M.D. Fla., 1989); (priorities of multiple, fractional mortgages; securities fraud) See, Bergelson v. State, 581 So. 2d 918 (Fla. 4th D.C.A., 1991)
In re: Robert F. Potts; Benton L. Mitchell v. Robert F. Potts, 87-02823-bkc-6P7; Adv. No. ap-88-035 (Bankr. M.D. Fla., 1990); (exception to discharge)
Maury L. Carter & Assoc., Inc. v. Hardin J. Royall, Jr., 1992-CI-000480 (Circuit, Orange County, Fla., 1992); (business libel)
In re: US General Holding Corp.; Meininger v. Tongs, 6:93-bk-03872; 6:95-ap-00349-CTC (Bankr. M.D. Fla., 1995); (fraud)
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Arbitration Panelist, American Stock Exchange, Circuit Civil, Mortgage Foreclosure Mediator
BAR MEMBERSHIPS:
Florida Bar
Orange County Bar Association
Osceola County Bar Association
MARTINDALE RATING:
A.V. “Preeminent Lawyer” 25 consecutive years
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Kiwanis Club of South Orlando
Fresh Start Ministries of Central Florida, Board of Directors