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Robert Waller Bivins

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Avvo Rating9.7
  • Valrico, FL
  • Licensed for 35 years
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About Robert

Robert ("Bob") Bivins is Managing Partner of Bivins & Hemenway, P.A., a full service commercial law firm emphasizing real estate, business law, and estate planning and serving clients throughout West Central Florida from offices located in the commercial heart of the fast-growing community of Brandon, Florida. I am deeply committed to providing sophisticated legal services to my clients in a timely, practical, and effective manner that emphasizes value, and personal attention.  I also have made a strong personal commitment to community involvement in various civic, charitable, and business associations within my community. Martindale-Hubbell, the nation's oldest law firm directory, has rated me "AV" (the highest rating available). An “AV” rating is given to approximately 6% of law firms and lawyers nationwide based both on professional expertise and ethical standards. Our firm also is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers published by Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, which is a nationwide alliance of law firms carefully selected for membership based on each firm’s proven dedication to the highest standards of integrity, civility, and quality of work product.  A life long Tampa Bay area native, in addition to my law practice I also am co-owner of cattle operations in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties and a property management company operating in the Tampa Bay area.  

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Practice areas

Estate planningBusinessCorporate and incorporationReal estate
  1. Real estate: 50%

    Assisting clients with the sale, purchase, conveyance, construction, development, leasing, landlord/tenant issues, and financing of commercial and residential real estate. Authorized agent for Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Inc., and Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation, offering comprehensive closing services for business and real estate transactions.

    36 years

  2. Corporate and incorporation: 20%

    Assisting clients with entity selection, formation, document preparation, and annual servicing.

    36 years

  3. Business: 20%

    Assisting business owners and management in a comprehensive range of business and commercial law services, including, without limitation:contract negotiation and preparation; asset and stock purchase and sale transactions; employment and confidentiality agreements; labor law and employment issues; and general and special counsel services.

    36 years

  4. Estate planning: 10%

    Preparation of wills, codicils, trusts, durable powers of attorney, designations of health care surrogate, living wills, and DNRs, as well as the representation of trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries in the administration of trusts and probate proceedings of all types.

    23 years

Languages spoken

English

Contact

Bivins & Hemenway, P.A.

1060 Bloomingdale Avenue
Valrico, FL, 33596-6105

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      FLMember in Good Standing198504/04/2021
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers0
      Legal guides0
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2014
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2013
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2012
      ListedBar Register of Preeminent Lawyers2011
      Florida Super Lawyer 2011Super Lawyers2011
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2011
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2010
      Florida Super Lawyer 2010Super Lawyers2010
      Primerus Community Service AwardInternational Society of Primerus Law Firms2010
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2009
      Florida Super Lawyer 2009Super Lawyers2009
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2008
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2007
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2006
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2005
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2004
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2003
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2002
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2001
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2000
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell1999
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell1998
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell1997
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell1996
      AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell1995
      Editor-in-ChiefUniversity of Florida Law Review1984
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      Managing PartnerBivins & Hemenway, P.A.2007 - Present
      ShareholderFuller Holsonback Bivins & Malloy, P.A.1998 - 2007
      PartnerGlenn Rasmussen & Fogarty1987 - 1998
      Law Clerk to Chief Justice Parker Lee McDonaldFlorida Supreme Court1985 - 1987
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      Brandon Regional HospitalMember, Board of Trustees2014 - Present
      International Society of Primerus Law FirmsMember, Board of Directors2014 - Present
      International Council of Shopping CentersMember2010 - Present
      Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, Inc.Board Member, Chairman, Campo Family YMCA2007 - Present
      International Society of Primerus Law FirmsMember, Primerus Business Law Institute2007 - Present
      Tampa Bay Real Estate Investment CouncilMember2000 - Present
      Leadership Tampa Alumni AssociationMember1997 - Present
      Leadership Brandon Alumni AssociationLife Member1997 - Present
      Optimist Club of Tampa, Inc.Director, Past President1993 - Present
      Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law SectionMember1989 - Present
      Florida Bar, Environmental and Land Use Law SectionMember1989 - Present
      Hillsborough County Bar AssociationMember1987 - Present
      The Florida BarMember1985 - Present
      Greater Brandon Chamber of CommerceConsulting Attorney2014 - 2014
      Greater Brandon Chamber of CommerceChairman2012 - 2013
      International Society of Primerus Law FirmsChairman, Primerus Business Law Institute - North America2011 - 2012
      International Society of Primerus Law FirmsChair Elect, Primerus Business Law Institute2010 - 2011
      Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, Inc.Campo Family YMCA Annual Giving Campaign Chairman2010 - 2011
      International Society of Primerus Law FirmsCo-Chair, Commercial Law Group2009 - 2012
      Greater Brandon Chamber of CommerceCo-Chair, Winthrop/Bloomingdale Area Council2008 - 2011
      Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, Inc.Metro Board Member2002 - 2003
      Tampa Metropolitan YMCA, Inc.Brandon Advisory Board Member, Past Chairman1994 - 2003
      The Tampa Connection, IncDirector1993 - 2002
      Hillsborough County Bar Association Corporation, Banking and Business Law CommitteeChairman1989 - 1990
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      International Society of Primerus Law Firms Business Law NewsletterCrude Processes and Deepwater Questions: Compensation on the Horizon2010
      Primerus ParadigmHitting the "Restart Button"’ on Marketing: A Case Study for Marketing the Small Firm2009
      Primerus ParadigmFor the Sustainable Firm, Why Young Lawyers Should be Heard and Not Just Seen2009
      Florida Bar JournalA Tale of Two Theories: The Expanding Dimensions of Mail, Wire, and Securities Fraud Liability1988
      Arbitration JournalAlternative Dispute Resolution and the Courts1987
      University of Florida Law ReviewSilencing The Name Droppers: The Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 19821984
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of LawJD - Juris Doctor, with honors1985
      University of South FloridaBA - Bachelor of Arts, with honors1982
      Dunedin High SchoolN/A1978
      St. Petersburg Junior CollegeN/AN/A
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      Commercial Lien and Bond WebinarConstruction Liens and Bonds2011
      Tips to Prevent your Non Profit from Becoming Non-CompliantState and Federal Compliance Issues for Not for Profit Corporations2009
      Small Business Check-UpLabor Law and Human Resource Issues2007
      Florida Real Estate Title Law: Problems and SolutionsTitle Examination - Title Insurance Commitments/Abstracts of Title/Surveys2002
      Advanced Principles of Title Insurance in FloridaInsuring Construction Loans2001
      Keys to Success in a Real Estate TransactionIssues in Real Estate Transactions1994

      Reviews

      (11)
      5 Star
      		100%
      4 Star
      		0%
      3 Star
      		0%
      2 Star
      		0%
      1 Star
      		0%
      Review Robert Bivins

      Vice President Market Manager

      Posted by

      Bob not only is an excellent Attorney who cares about his Clients, he is an active member of his Community serving to make his Community a better place to live. I would highly recommend Bob.

      Mark W. Creager

      Posted by

      Over the last 3 to 4 years Bob has helped me through not only the developement and construction phase of my project but also with the developement and implimentation of my tenent leases. I think very highly of Bob as an attorney and a person and will continue to utilize his services and highly recomend him to anyone else.

      Best representation I've ever had

      Posted by

      I've been in the Real Estate business for forty years. This guy keeps his cool and will keep you out of trouble. He has an ability to understand the problem and find a solution that works for everyone. His fees are reasonable ( if that's possible with a lawyer ) and he keeps the situation moving so you don't fall asleep or eat your heart out while he's working. By far the finest representation. He's also worked on my will, my Trusts and advised on my divorce. A good guy to have on your side.

      Director of Land

      Posted by

      Bob does a great job working with us on a variety of real estate legal matters. He is responsive, diligent, and understands how to make sure a client is protected without killing a deal.

      Lisa Pusateri, President, A & A Mortgage Funding, Inc.

      Posted by

      Bob and his staff have handled all legal matters for my firm including the establishment of the Corporation, the purchase of our property, proper licensing, trademarks, our corporate buyout transaction, employee paperwork and contracts, and even compliance recommendations. He also assists our very own clients with various legal matters such as correct property ownership transfer, the establishment of a real estate trust, providing attorney opinion letters, writing purchase and sale agreements, writing residential lease agreements, Florida Statute consultation, etc. Whenever we are in need of any legal consultation or representation whatsoever, Bob is who we call. We trust him explicitly. I constantly refer him to anyone in need of sound, reliable, accurate legal assistance.

      CEO

      Posted by

      We first used Bob when we first came to Tampa 10 years ago. When he left his prior "major" firm to start him own firm we followed. We are in the logistics and "trucking" business. Bob is not the "typical" lawyer. He doesn't "nickel and dime" clients (a pet peave of mine) or charge for every call concerning "prospective business" that we have (another pet peave...when our own customers call to present an opportunity to quote their business we don't charge for our time...we want to win the business. Too many lawyers forget this). Bob is also smart enough to know what he doesn't know. Too many small firms try to "do it all" becasue they are afraid of saying no. We have found Bob to be honest enough to refer us to the right expert when needed. The bottom line - Bob and his partner (John Hemmingway) are honest and hardworking. They are lawyers for the RIGHT reason...and that sets them apart as fine lawyers AND fine human beings. For disclosue purposes...Bob Bivins asked if I would write a review of his firm because these "rating sites" are becoming more common. However, everythnig said here is my own opinion and he has had NO input at all. Feel free to ask Bob for my contact information if you want more input - I will be pleased to provide it.

      Vice President, Wachovia Bank

      Posted by

      I have worked with Bob for over 15 years in multiple facets. He has represented my firm in environmental issues, commercial banking, and real estate construction lending. Bob has a great understanding of both legal and business issues and works well with other attorneys to resolve conflicts. Furthermore, Bob ensures prompt and thorough service after loan closings. I would highly recommend Bob and his firm.

      Steve Carmody

      Posted by

      Bob Bivins, has been my attorney for 10 plus years. I have never had an attorney before that I could trust and confide in as much as Bob. When I had severe financial problems, he was there to help. When I lost my wife, he was there to help. When I was diagnosed with cancer, he was there to help. When I was involved in a nasty lawsuit over the sale of my farm, he protected and defended me. When I finally sold the property, Bob counseled and guided me as to what to do next with assets and protection. There was a time when I went from the owner of a multi-million dollar distribution company and production farm, to working at Domino's and living on $4.00 a day. Bob always gave me the same respect and advice everytime I needed him. I shall continue to use Bob; even when they put me in the grave! Steve Carmody [email protected]

      Robert Bivins - Highly Recommended for Business Owners

      Posted by

      Mr. Bivins has been my attorney for over 8 years. He has helped with legal issues relating to my small business, multiple real estate transacations, litigation and estate pIanning. I have always found him to be fair and responsive. There are several ways in which I feel he has been an excellent attorney. Going into a business or real estate transaction, I think he does a good job of telling me the best way to mitigate my risk. In the times when I have not consulted with him first or risk was unavoidable, I think he has done a good job of helping my assess the situation and handling the issue without over charging me. I think he is very fair in that respect. I would highly recommend his services to anyone - especially small to medium sized business owners. My yearly legal expenses with Mr. Bivins are less than I pay one of my entry level employees (we are a company of 30 employees), yet I feel I get so much from his services/advice. He has helped me to mitigate so much risk when it comes to customer/vendor contracts, employees issues, insurance, bad debt, etc that my claims/losses have always consistently been less than one half of one percent of sales. That is an incredible statistic considering that that my industry is high risk and many firms have losses that are 5% or more total sales - and many of those have in house counsel that cost much more.

      Managing Partner

      Posted by

      Bob has done an excellent job representing our Real Estate Development company. I have referred Bob to others I know in the industry and they have also told me that they are pleased with Bob.
      See all reviews

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