Harley Herman

Probate Attorney at Plant City, FL

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Knowledgeable, Caring, and Professional

Simply the best!

About Harley

Learn Harley’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Probate

35%

In addition to representation of executors and beneficiaries, I have taught probate law at law school and attorney seminars

39 years, 700 cases
Litigation

20%

Extensive representation of clients in business and consumer lawsuits plaintiff and defendant

44 years, 2,000 cases
Business

15%

Represent small businesses in their creation, preservation and dispute resolution

44 years, 500 cases
Wills and living wills

15%

In addition to preparing and revising wills, health care proxies and living wills, I have taught wills and trust issues at law school and attorney seminars

44 years, 7,000 cases
Lawsuits and disputes

10%

44 years, 500 cases
Corporate and incorporation

5%

Work with small and new businesses to provide cost-effective legal assistance and protection of business and assets

44 years, 300 cases

My mission for my is to enable individuals and small business owners find an economical and satisfactory resolution to legal problems that prevent my clients from enjoying their lives, work and family. I use the skills form my 45 years of practicing law to fulfill that mission. Growing up in a family with several small businesses, I never forgot the lessons I learned watching how legal issues could disrupt and alter my parent's business and personal affairs. There were so many times that they didn't pursue legal rights, because the cost and delay of legal proceedings seemed overwhelming. Using both my legal training and the skils I learned majoring in business as an undergraduate student at USF, I have spent the majority of my career working on creative solutions to solve difficult client legal issues. My view of the lawyer's role in society and our court system is to make our system of law and the rules that hold our country together work for all, not just those who can afford the most expensive legal services. It is a difficult task, but the joy and satisfaction of clients I have helped over the decades has always been worth more than those moments when a high-profile case or an award has brought my work into public recognition.

Photos and videos

Licensed for 44 years

State FL

Status Member in Good Standing

Acquired 1978

Updated 02/23/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Harley

Herman and Herman

607 S. Alexander St

Suite 213

Plant City, FL, 33563

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Reviews

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4.9 / 5.0

15 customer reviews

5 Star

93%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by Stephanie | December 22, 2021

Knowledgeable, Caring, and Professional

Harley Herman was able to assist me with a complex legal issue with little time to prepare, and he did an amazing job. He put all of his substantial legal knowledge to use to obtain a favorable outcome for me, and was kind, compassionate, understanding, patient, and the consummate professional at every step. I would definitely use his services again, and would highly recommend him to everyone I know who needs a civil litigation attorney.

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Posted by Mo DeJesus | September 10, 2021

Simply the best!

Mr. Herman provided me with a legal advice that was spot on and VERY helpful to my case. His prompt and accurate responses reflect his impressive experience and vast knowledge. I would not hesitate or blink to reach out to him if I ever needed a lawyer again (God forbid). THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

Posted by Micah | January 12, 2021

Micah

Mr. Herman was able to see me on very short notice, address my concerns, respond in the time he committed to and was very knowledgeable about real estate matters. His fees were reasonable and communication was excellent. Very happy client for sure.

Posted by Max | October 23, 2020

Great and honest person

I`ve had a chance to be consulted by Mr. Herman. His attitude was really positive, he gave a great opinion about my situation. Definitely recommend)

Posted by Jim | July 25, 2019

One Hand Behind His Back

Just days after surgery to repair his broken wrist; Mr. Herman, represented me in court against a large credit card company. His pre-hearing council and advice made it easy for me to gather all the evidence we would need and gave me a clear understanding of what to expect in the courtroom. The proceedings went almost exactly as Mr. Herman had predicted and we WON. Mr. Herman can say, "He defeated the giant with one hand behind his back!"

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Posted by Keith | October 26, 2017

Excellent

Once i handed my paperwork over to Harley i no longer had to do anything. He handled my case and stayed in touch with me as needed. Very professional and experienced attorney. I never had to miss any work and he even met with me on a saturday to finish up my paper work. Highly recommended.Excellent

Posted by Cynthia | December 15, 2016

I wish we could hire him! Very Nice!

I am not a client of Mr. Herman as we cannot afford legal services on a fixed income. That being said, Mr. Herman answered the phone personally when I called. He was like a dad or a big brother in listening and answering my questions regarding landlord/tenant problem. We live in a place that refuses to do maintenance and is filled with black mold and in a knee jerk reaction I put a stop on out rent check. He explained everything I should do and what we can expect the next steps to be. Very calming, professional, but NOT the type of atty. who says-"what are your injuries" with dollar bill signs in their eyes. If I could afford him he would be hired today, still just nice to know that there ARE attorneys out there who will lend you their ear and some good advice and tell you what to expect and you next steps without any rudeness or being all about -well if you are not physically injured we are not talking to you. I felt like I was talking to a very smart neighbor, who helped calm me down due to our situation and his advice was wise. And I am very great full that rare finds like Mr. Herman still exist in the world of money greedy attys. who do not have the time of day for the Average Joe or Jane. Thank You Mr. Herman for taking my call. If we could hire you we would!

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Posted by Mike | February 7, 2016

Excellent Attorney

This gentleman assisted me with a question through AVVO. He didn't have to take the time to assist me, but he did and his answer was a great help. I highly recommend this very fine attorney

Posted by Nick | July 28, 2015

Knowledgable advice and free consultation

I called Mr Herman not knowing who and where to turn to. Even though he did not take my case, he was sincere and gave me time to explain my situation, upon which he provided his professional opinion and turned me to look for the right information in the right direction.

Posted by Lee | July 5, 2015

An expert, prompt, informative & caring professional who achieves the best possible outcomes

All of the reviews are spot-on and not exaggerating. He cares for his clients and works diligently to achieve the best possible outcome on their behalf. Trust his advice to be the best, know that his priority is getting the best results for you without dragging things along. He quickly found the issues that the other side was manipulating beyond the benefactor’s intent. His sound advice illuminated the pros & cons of each course of action and the resulting likelihood of success or failure. This case went from, “I am sorry, there is nothing left to distribute to you as a beneficiary”, to full distribution only months after Mr. Herman’s involvement. While the estate value was small, we felt that we received the full and focused support of Mr. Herman and his staff. You will sleep much better at night with this man on your side.

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Posted by anonymous | December 3, 2014

Expert legal assistance that determined a positive outcome in probate of my father's estate

Mr. Herman responded promptly and professionally when I contacted him. I needed legal advice because the personal representative of my father's estate was months late with distribution and attempting to intimidate me into signing away my rights to the estate. Mr. Herman's involvement prompted the distribution of the estate without any more "delays" from the personal representative and his lawyer. If you need someone who knows the laws and procedures and will give you honest assistance, contact Harley Herman. I am so grateful to have found a lawyer who upholds the scales of justice!

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Posted by Ann | August 20, 2014

Very Professional, Prompt Response, Knowledgeable, Caring Attorney, "Get the Job Done!"

Attorney Herman took our "complicated" case and simplified it. We had a case in which my step-siblings (paternal) and maternal children wanted to sell a Florida property that was an inheritance to all of us by our parents (biological mother and step-dad). This was both our parents’ second marriage. The first attorney complicated the matter by including people who were not privy to my loving mother’s Will and requested documentation that was not needed. This caused a lot of confusion for maternal biological children and in-law not privy to the maternal parent’s Will. Meanwhile, the step-siblings (step-dad) had to wait until the maternal biological children legal matters were resolved before putting the house back on the market. Needless to say, we lost four buyers while trying to resolve the confusion and we later learned the title company did not have all the facts. As personal representative for mother and agreement with biological children, I fired the disrespectful and cruel attorney. I hired Attorney Herman and have been extremely pleased with his services. He listened to my concern as personal representative for loving mother wishes (since maternal mother survived my step-dad). Certified legal documents were provided to Attorney Herman. Right from the beginning, step-siblings and biological children were in agreement to sell the Florida property. Now, the house is back on the market and we have a clear title to sell. All maternal “true beneficiaries” and step-siblings are happy!

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Posted by Dana | April 24, 2014

HARLEY HERMAN

I have known Harley for some years and found him to be an excellent lawyer. I have worked with him in presenting seminars and have learned a lot from him.He is very experienced.

Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2014

I am so grateful for Mr. Herman's kindness and help.

I wanted to thank Mr. Harley Herman for his kindness, understanding and expert knowledge in helping me with a trust litigation matter. I am an attorney in south Florida who was in a very difficult situation and not knowing how to proceed (or should I say not proceed). Mr. Herman was so terrific in discussing Service of Process Rules and Civil Procedure Rules; discussing what motion would be most appropriate to protect my clients and myself; providing me with a form; discussing the actual Rule and in what circumstances the motion would be allowed by the Court. Mr. Harley Herman went above and beyond the call of being a wonderful attorney in my time of need - and I am so grateful for his guidance, prompt correspondence back to assist me and his expert knowledge of the law. Mr. Harley Herman is truly a scholar and a gentleman and the law profession should be honored to have someone with such outstanding excellent character as Mr. Harley Herman!! Thank you again I am so grateful for your kindness and help.

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Posted by anonymous | March 10, 2016

Business advice session

Very clear and thorough explanation. Good advice and handled our conversation very professionally.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Attorney and Owner
Herman and Herman, Attorneys at Law
2013 - Present

Adjunct Professor Estates and Trusts
Famu College Of Law
2006 - 2006

Senior Litigation and Probate Attorney
deBeaubien, Knight Simmons Mantzaris and Neal
2001 - 2013

Visiting Professor Business Law and Criminal Justice
Savannah State University
1998 - 2000

Managing Attorney
Law Offices of Harley Herman
1979 - 2001

Director
Marion County Legal Aid
1978 - 1979

View all work experience

Education

Stetson University College of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
2003

University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1977

Legal Cases

Walden Lake Community Association v Visions Golf LLC
Case settled prior to trial

In re: Virgil Darnell Hawkins
Unprecedented relief sought by Herman was granted by the Florida Supreme Court

Tri-City Branch et al v City of Leesburg and LRMC Hospital
$2.9 million settlement, preservation of historic neighborhood with creation of Community Development Corporation

Associations

East Hillsborough Bar Association (Formerly Plant City Bar Assoc.)
Member, President 2015
2013 - Present

Hill County Bar Association
Member
2007 - Present

National Bar Association (Virgil Hawkins Florida chapter)
Member
2000 - Present

Orange County Bar Association
Member
2001 - 2014

View all associations

Languages Spoken

English

Honors and Awards

Jimmy Kynes Award
Hillsborough County Bar Association
2017

Certificate of Meritorious Service to the Legal Profession
The Florida Bar Prepaid Legal Services Committee
2014

Heman Sweat Award
National Bar Association
2011

5th Circuit Pro Bono Award
Florida Bar
1995

Key to the City of Jacksonville
City of Jacksonville
1989

View all awards

Publications

Hillsborough Lawyer
Second Chance
2013

Florida Coastal Law Review
Anatomy of a Bar Resignation: The Virgil Hawkins Story
2000

Speaking Engagements

The Probate Process from start to Finish
Probate
2014

Elder Law and Medicaid Planning
Special Needs Trusts and New Trends and Challenges
2014

Advanced Estate and Trust Administration
Estate Litigation
2014

Attorney endorsements

Received (23)

Given (17)

Endorse Harley

Paul Threatt

Probate Attorney | Apr 27
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A scholar and a gentleman, Mr. Herman gladly shared over 45 years of in-depth knowledge and practical experience to support me as a n attorney and transitioning veteran! He is the kind of leader that makes our community better! Thank you Mr. Herman."

Sofia Guzman

Unknown Attorney | Mar 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Harley Herman. He is an outstanding, thorough and skilled lawyer. I turned to him for help on legal issues relating to Probate and he was always ready to help. He is extremely knowledge and kind. I can’t say enough good things about Harley. If you need a Probate lawyer, look no further."

Loren Gold

Litigation Attorney | May 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Herman offers exceptional legal service; furthermore, he treats his clients and those who reach out for his services with attentiveness and courtesy. A credit to his profession."

Leonard Boyer

Litigation Attorney | Mar 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Herman is an extremely knowledgeable and effective advocate for his clients."

Sergio Cabanas

Unknown Attorney | Feb 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Harley is a very knowledgeable and professional attorney."

Craig Dippolito

Probate Attorney | Sep 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He went above and beyond to assist me on a complex matter and was extremely knowledgeable in the field of probate law. He did so with nothing personally to gain."

Mark Clay

Litigation Attorney | Aug 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Mr. Herman. Very experienced and caring attorney who achieves great results in representing clients! I want all people to contact him for help."

Nancy Davito

Probate Attorney | May 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Herman for more than 20 years. He is very caring and a strong advocate for his clients in need. He is very knowledgeable and very professional. I fully endorse him and have enjoyed working as co-counsel with him in several matters in the past."

Christian Lassen

Unknown Attorney | Jan 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Vonnie Dones

Business Attorney | Dec 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A top-notch attorney, highly respected in the legal community."

Judd Nemiro

Unknown Attorney | Dec 22
Relationship: Other

"This lawyer truly cares about his clients and helping others. I endorse this lawyer."

Sean Cleary

Animal law Attorney | Dec 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

Jonathan Warrick

Litigation Attorney | Nov 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He has a strong knowledge of the law and regularly offers sound (free) legal advice on this site."

Charles Baron

Unknown Attorney | Oct 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this outstanding lawyer, who has a superior level of knowledge and experience, as reflected in his thorough, insightful answers on Avvo."

John Phillips

Unknown Attorney | Sep 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"With a great track record of published answers to consumers' questions on Avvo.com and the recommendations from clients and attorneys alike, it is easy to see that attorney Herman is skilled and knows the law well too. If you have a legal question in his area of expertise, he is your answer."

Mary Ann Young

Probate Attorney | Sep 19
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I have known Harley Herman since we were law school classmates. He was my first boss at Marion County Legal Aid. Harley was an excellent role model, and he pushed himself and others to provide superior assistance to our client population. Harley is committed to justice and fair play."

Dorothy Bunce

Wills and living wills Attorney | Jul 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Harley Herman is the kind of wise attorney we all wish we could be. I am proud to endorse Attorney Herman."

David Goldman

Wills and living wills Attorney | Jul 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Harley provides some very well written answers and seems to have a good understanding of estate planning and other related issues. I would recommend Harley Herman for those looking for representation in his area."

Debra Feit

Litigation Attorney | May 03
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Richard Rosenstein

Unknown Attorney | Apr 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Herman is a highly experienced and well respected member of the legal community. He is a zealous advocate for the rights and interests of his clients."

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Paul Threatt

Probate

Loren Gold

Personal injury