JUSTIN SHEPARD
Coconut Creek
Summary
Motivated, hardworking, passionate, and positive - a unique individual who does not shy away from any challenges that may present themselves, choosing to approach problems head on and work as a team to successfully provide the best possible service to clients of the Firm. Enthusiastic, willing, and capable to learn, grow, and flourish as a member of the team. Unafraid to collaborate, and always ready and willing to meet clients at their level, ensuring comfort, care, and empathy throughout the representation.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Attorney
Scott, Harris, Bryan, Barra & Jorgensen, P.A.
11.2021 - Current
- Estate Planning: Drafted and edited various estate planning documents, including, but not limited to, Last Wills (simple, complex, testamentary trust, and pourover), Revocable Trusts (including provisions for unitrusts, marital, family, minors, and pet sub-trusts), Advanced Directives (Designation of Health Care Surrogates, Durable Powers of Attorney, Limited Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Designations of Pre-Need Guardians, HIPAA Release Authorizations, as well as various advanced directives for children of clients departing for higher education), Assignments of LLC Interests, and various Deeds for estate planning purposes (Deeds to and from Trust and Life Estate Deeds (both standard and enhanced).
- Estate Planning: Regularly conducted client consultations (with client net worth ranging up to $15 million), working with individuals and families to determine the documents and needs of each client based on life circumstances, family matters, and financial status.
- Estate Planning: Regularly conducted estate plan signings, working with clients to ensure full and complete understanding of their documents and the impact of those documents in their day-to-day life.
- Estate Planning: Preparation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for clients in connection with their estate plan.
- Estate Administration: Regularly oversaw the administration of estates (both probate and trust administration), with average administrations in the $1-5 million dollar asset range, and up to $19 million in total distributable assets.
- Estate Administration: Regularly prepared necessary pleadings and filings over the course of estate administration, including all standard Petitions (Pet. for Administration - Summary and Formal, Pet. to Prove Will, Pet. to Establish Lost or Destroyed Will, Pet. for Determination of Exempt Homestead Property, Pet. Authorizing Sale of Real Property).
- Estate Planning / Estate Administration: Since 2024, oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Estate Planning and Administration Department, including intake and handling of all matters brought in to the firm since August of 2024.
- Real Estate Transactions: As Closing Agent, worked as a team with other attorneys at firm and real estate support staff to conduct various real estate transactions (including 1031 exchanges), up to a purchase price of $2.5 million. Extensively reviewed exceptions to title and worked with clients and parties to the transactions to minimize exceptions and maximize title insurance coverage.
- Real Estate Transactions: As Closing Agent, drafted or reviewed all necessary closing documents, including Closing Disclosures and ALTA Settlement Statements, including balancing figures with lenders to ensure matters close on time. When needed, placed all necessary third party vendor orders with municipalities or management companies across Palm Beach County.
Intern / Legal Assistant
The Law Office of David Seif
05.2019 - 10.2021
- Estate Administration: Regularly opened probates for domiciliary and ancillary estate administration (Formal and Summary). Responsible for preparing and filing all required Probate Court documents for Broward County and surrounding counties. Communicated with clients routinely to ensure all estate deadlines were met on a timely basis. Coordinated with Attorney and estate beneficiaries for accurate distribution of estates.
- Estate Planning: Drafted and edited estate planning documents, including Wills, Trusts, Living Wills, Healthcare Powers of Attorney, Durable Powers of Attorney, and Life Estate Deeds (Both standard and enhanced). Regularly assisted Attorney at document signings.
- Real Estate Transactions: Worked as a team with Attorney and fellow legal assistants to successfully close numerous transactions, from contract to post-closing. Draft conveyance documents regularly for real estate closings, including, but not limited to, Bill of Sale, Warranty Deeds, and Seller’s Closing Affidavits, and title policies. Balance closing disclosures with lenders on various real estate closings. Regularly order various services for real estate closings, such as title commitments, municipal tax & lien searches, surveys, HOA estoppel requests, among others. Work to clear title clouds and deficiencies on title prior to closing date.
- Family Law: Draft various proceedings for attorney review, including court forms, petitions, and orders on matters ranging from Name Change to Dissolution of Marriage. Worked with Attorney and Clients to gather and compile necessary discovery.
- Met and interacted with clients and professionals on a regular basis, as needed. Conducted other administrative tasks including, but not limited to, scheduling, filing, legal research, and document delivery.
Warehouse Staff
American Tackle Company
04.2017 - 08.2018
- Fulfilled wholesale orders of custom rod components to custom rod builders internationally.
- Conducted product quality inspection on inventory.
- Helped prepare product displays 2 years in a row for ICAST, the largest angler industry convention in the world.
Intern
The Kendrick Law Firm
05.2016 - 08.2016
- Conducted administrative tasks including, but not limited to, filing, basic research, and document delivery.
Education
Juris Doctor -
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
Davie, FL05-2021
Bachelor of Science - Political Science - Minor in Journalism Studies
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL05-2018
Skills
- Ethics and professionalism
- Legal drafting
- Client counseling
- Estate planning
- Empathy
- Teamwork
- Negotiation
- Detail-oriented
- Fast learning curve
Affiliations
- Member, Palm Beach County Estate Planning Council
- Member, North Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce
- Authorized to write title through Attorney's Title Fund
BAR ADMISSIONS
Florida - Bar No. 1031343
Timeline
Attorney
Scott, Harris, Bryan, Barra & Jorgensen, P.A.
11.2021 - Current
Intern / Legal Assistant
The Law Office of David Seif
05.2019 - 10.2021
Warehouse Staff
American Tackle Company
04.2017 - 08.2018
Intern
The Kendrick Law Firm
05.2016 - 08.2016
Juris Doctor -
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Political Science - Minor in Journalism Studies
University of Central Florida