Jack William Merritt

Jack William Merritt

5.0
Rating: 6.4

Licensed for 31 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Osprey, FL
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Business, Lawsuits & Disputes ... +2 more

Merritt Law PA, 690 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL

About Jack

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Business 25%

Negotiation of Transactions, Funding, Contracts, and Consultation with new business opportunities, i.e., proof of concept, founder equity and agreements. Merger and acquisitions. Intellectual property, e.g., copyrights and trademarks.

30 years

25%
Estate Planning 25%

Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills and Probate.

19 years

25%
Lawsuits and Disputes 25%

Pre-suit negotiations, mediation, arbitration and trial work involving commercial litigation, business disputes and other civil litigation. Appeals of trial court decisions. Construction, manufacturing, distribution agreements and litigation.

30 years

25%
Construction and Development 15%

Land Use & Construction. Zoning, code enforcement, administrative hearings, and trials. Construction defects, HVAC, corporations and individual. Mold. Real estate contract draft, review and litigation and tenant evictions.

24 years

15%
Intellectual Property 10%

Trademark and copyright, including enforcement of intellectual property rights and defense of same. Software design and representation in negotiations involving outsourcing, evaluation and reliability, including contract drafting and litigation.

28 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 275-325 per hour

Contingency

33%-40%

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 30 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1995

Member in Good Standing

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2024

Licensed in Maryland for 31 years

State: Maryland

Acquired: 1994

Active

Location

Merritt Law PA

Merritt Law PA, 690 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL, 34229

Law Offices of Jack William Merritt

Merritt Law PA, 10015 Old Columbia Road, Columbia, MD, 21046

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Jack William Merritt's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

6 Client Reviews

5 star (6)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by anonymous | January 7, 2018 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Auto Carrier Agent

Excellent Advice. The advice addressed each of my questions and I found the Advice very helpful and something that I could go further with on my own to reach a resolution.

Posted by Jennifer | July 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Thank You Mr. Merritt!

Mr. Merritt's knowledge and determination led to a successful outcome in our case. Even more, he offered us a level of support and enthusiasm which is rare and greatly appreciated. We will continue to seek Mr. Merritt's legal services and advice in the future. Likewise, we are confident in recomme...nding him to others and will take ever opportunity to do so. Thank you Mr. Merritt!

Posted by Patricia | February 5, 2016 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Consultation

Was referred by the FL. BAR. I had been trying to find an Attorney for myself in Polk County. Everywhere I called I got an intake service, explained what I needed, and never got to even speak with the actual Attorney. I had left a voice mail for this office and received a call from "Jack" himself th...e very next day! He was very helpful, personable, knowledgeable about my needs. This made it extremely easy to explain my case. His advice was awesome! Even though he doesn't handle my type of case, he took his time to talk to me about it, explained things that I need to understand in simple layman's terms, never rushed me away, then led me in the right direction. I have never felt so relaxed and relieved at the same time! Thank you Jack! If I ever need an attorney within your scope of practice, I know who to call and trust!

Posted by Robert | January 30, 2016 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

One of the finest lawyers I've consulted with

Mr. Merritt was recommended to me by a good friend. I found him to be highly knowledgeable and personable. At the time I did not need a lawyer but only advice. If in the future I should need a lawyer I would not hesitate to call him.

Posted by Naomi McMillan | August 14, 2015 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

I will ask for no other

Mr. Merritt sets the standards. I highly recommend him and will ask for no other. I am amazed at his knowledge, determination, professionalism, and his warmness. I have engaged other lawyers in the past and never had the education that this person has given. Thank you Jack!

See All Client Reviews

Jack William Merritt's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Jack
Kevin F. Sanderson headshot
Kevin Sanderson

Litigation lawyer | Nov 22

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known and worked with Jack for several years on many different types of cases including in the areas of business and commercial litigation and estate and probate formation/litigation. He has an MBA and graduated at the top of his law school class; but what makes him exceptional is his truly caring about his clients. This is the quality that is lacking in many of our colleagues. He takes time with his clients to get to know them and understand their challenges and ambitions."

View All Endorsements
Kevin F. Sanderson headshot
Kevin Sanderson

Employment and labor lawyer

Charles Ward Telfair headshot
Charles Telfair

Personal injury lawyer

Alicia Anne Piro headshot
Alicia Piro

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  6.4 (Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.

Admonishment issued in FL, 2024

updated on 12/02/2024

An admonition means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The Bar gives the lawyer an admonition in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Honors

2016

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Outstanding Volunteerism and Unwavering Dedication, Suncoast Center for Independent Living

2012

Distinguished Service, Florida Bar, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section

1994

Heuisler Honor Society, University of Baltimore

1994

Magna Cum Laude, University of Baltimore

1993

Book Award: Trial Advocacy, University of Baltimore

1989

Systems Engineer of the Year, IBM

1980

Cum Laude, Ohio University

Work Experience

2007 - Present

President, Merritt Law PA

2003 - 2006

Shareowner, Merritt & Merritt, Attorneys at Law, PA

1999 - 2003

Director of Worldwide Legal Affairs and General Counsel, IMPAC

1996 - 1999

Senior Counsel, USF&G and F&G Life

1994 - 1996

Associate, Piper & Marbury, LLP (Now Dla Piper Rudnick)

1993 - 1994

Internship, Piper & Marbury (Now Dla Piper)

1991 - 1993

IBM Marketing Consultant, IBM

1988 - 1992

Systems Engineering Manager, IBM

1986 - 1988

Corporate Technical Sales Staff, IBM

1980 - 1985

Advisory Systems Engineer, IBM

Associations

2014 - Present

Florida Justice Association

2012 - Present

American Bar Association

1994 - Present

Maryland State Bar Association

1994 - Present

Florida Bar

2007 - 2008

Florida Bar, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section

Chair

2006 - 2007

Florida Bar, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section

Vice Chair

2006 - 2013

Florida Bar, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section

Chair - Florida Law Update

2004 - 2006

Florida Bar, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section

Secretary/Treasurer

Sample of Legal Cases

Bibens v. Colby, et al.

Final Judgment: $4,667,586.00

Hawk v. Black, Case No. 2D07-4506

Drafted brief and argued before 2nd DCA that upheld my trial court result. Trial Court ruling correctly held for my client.

Hyundai Motor America, Inc. (Appellant and Cross Appellee) v. Hawley (Appellee and Cross Appellant)

Drafted brief and successfully argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit in San Francisco. It upheld our trial result in Fed Ct in Las Vegas for Hawleys against Hyundai Motor America.

Creek v NAACP National Headquarters

Prevailed on Motion for Summary Judgment

See More Legal Cases

Education

2016

Cornell University

Certificate - Advanced Marketing - Data Driven Marketing

1994

University of Baltimore School of Law

J.D.

1988

Saint Louis University

MBA - Master of Business Administration

1980

Ohio University

BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration

Speaking Engagements

2008

3rd Annual Ethics Update

Ethical Considerations in Representing Corporate Clients

1999

National Market Conduct Seminar

Insurance Market Conduct

1998

1998 National Structured Settlements Trade Association Annual Meeting

Third Party Purchases of Structured Settlements

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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