FLORIDA
John
Marshall
Estate & Elder Law Attorney in Central Florida
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About John
I’m attorney John Marshall, owner and founder of Marshall Law. Knowing who you work with is important because a working relationship is no different than a friendship: You need to know and understand the lawyer you are putting your trust in. To help further our working relationship, I want to tell you more about me and Marshall Law.
Before becoming an attorney, I spent seven years in the insurance and financial services industry. I became frustrated with the fact that my “client” was not the person I was selling insurance or financial services to but was instead the company for which I worked. I decided to become a lawyer because the client – the person I represent – is the one to whom I owe my loyalty.
From the moment I entered law school, I knew I wanted to practice estate planning and related areas of law. They directly correlated with my prior work experience, so I would have a unique insight that many other attorneys would not have. Following graduation from law school, I moved to Florida because I knew that the number of people moving there in their retirement years would provide the greatest and most diverse market in which to begin my legal career. Over the years, Florida has become more than just a place to do business – it has become my home and my favorite place to be.
The Fine Print
Education
University of Akron School of Law, Akron, Ohio
- Juris Doctor – 12/2005
University of Akron School of Business
- Master of Taxation – 12/2005
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2006
- U.S. Tax Court, 2008
- Ohio, 2012
Honors
- Sumter County Pro Bono Attorney of the Year – 2020, 2022
Community Involvement
- WealthCounsel, LLC, Member
- Executive Board Member for the Lady Lake Chamber of Commerce, 2015 to 2021
- President of the Estate Planning Council of the Emerald Coast, 2010
- President of the Destin Kiwanis, 2011
- Board Member for the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, 2008 to 2012
Professional Experience
Legal Experience
I entered the University of Akron School of Law in the fall of 2002. While still in law school, I enrolled in the University of Akron School of Business. I finished both my Juris Doctor degree and master’s degree in taxation in December 2005. Later that month, I headed to Florida to take the spring 2006 bar exam.
After passing the Spring 2006 Florida Bar exam, I joined a law firm in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. It was there that I began practicing the areas of law I still practice today. A few years later, I was admitted to the U.S. Tax Court and became a registered representative with the IRS.
In 2012, I was admitted to the Ohio State Bar Association. After that, my wife, Patti, and I moved to New Albany, Ohio and I joined a law firm in Dublin, Ohio. It did not take long for us to realize just how much we missed Florida, especially during the cold winter months. In addition, Patti’s father began needing assistance in Florida, and we wanted to ensure we were there for him.
As a result, Patti and I moved back to Florida in June 2014, and I began managing an office in The Villages for a law firm based in Orlando. In October 2018, I left that firm to start Marshall Law.
Professional Development
I strive to keep my legal practice and skills relevant in a constantly changing legal environment. Consequently, I look for opportunities that allow me to grow professionally while benefiting others. Here are a few ways I do this:
I am an active member of WealthCounsel, LLC. This organization provides education and technical support for estate planning and trust administration issues.
I research and write articles on legal topics relevant to current news or issues of public interest. You can find my articles and other written materials in my blog. Some of my articles have been featured in Style Magazine, Village Neighbor and Village Neighbor South.
I write and present continuing education courses to attorneys and other professionals. Topics I have presented include Florida probate, Florida guardianship laws and estate planning techniques.
Additional Professional Experience
During the first seven years of my professional life, I worked in the insurance and financial services industry. Consequently, I held multiple insurance licenses with Ohio and North Carolina and was a registered representative with the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), now known as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Home Life
No matter what activities there are to do, not all perks of living in Florida take place outside the home. Patti and I can often be found working on home projects, such as painting and, gardening. Our favorite thing to do is simply sit on the back porch and enjoy the evening sun out over the water behind our home. Nothing, however, brings us more joy than playing with our dogs in the backyard.
In short, life in Florida is a lot of fun, and I cannot imagine living anywhere else. Consequently, I believe being happy where I live makes my work better, and I hope you see that joy in the work I do for you.
My Family
I love Florida for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact I met my wife here. Patti grew up on Singer Island, near Palm Beach Shores. While I was raised in Ohio, where the sun shines sporadically and I spent most of my winters indoors, Patti grew up on the beach enjoying nearly year-round sun, sea and other activities I could only dream about as a kid. Patti’s love of Florida has rubbed off on me. We are both incredibly happy to live here and regularly partake in many activities – some are touristy while others are less well known – that Florida has to offer.
Activities We Enjoy
Patti and I both love lighthouses and are currently working our way around Florida visiting all the lighthouses in our state. While Patti’s favorite lighthouse is in Jupiter, mine is in St. Augustine. We also enjoy visiting various museums (our favorite being the Dali Museum in Tampa) and historic sites (our favorites being Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine and Bok Tower in Lake Wales). When the tourist season winds down, you can find us paddleboarding the Weeki Wachee River, where we enjoy watching manatees and other animals in their native environment. One of my personal favorite activities is watching rockets take off from Cape Canaveral. While I will occasionally go to the Cape to view rockets close up, oftentimes, I will step into my backyard and watch rocket launches from there.
Get Started with Our Law Firm Today
If you’re looking for an experienced elder law attorney to handle your estate planning and elder law needs, look no further than our law firm. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards creating a comprehensive estate plan that addresses your unique needs and concerns.
We are dedicated to providing you with the highest level of service and expertise. Let us help you navigate the complexities of elder law and ensure your peace of mind.
Call us at (352) 432-8859
to schedule a consultation.
We look forward to serving you!