J. Jerome Miller

J. Jerome Miller is Of Counsel to the firm with practice focused on estate planning, probate, trust administration, elder law, guardianship, and local government law. Jerry is a native of Fort Walton Beach and resides in Destin, FL. He received his Bachelor, 1967, and Juris Doctor, 1970, degrees from Florida State University. He was admitted to practice in all Florida Courts in 1970. He served as Assistant Staff Counsel for the Florida Department of Natural Resources,1970-1971. Jerry is a United States Air Force veteran having served as a Judge Advocate from 1971 to 1975. He has practiced law in Northwest Florida since 1975. He is Past President of the Estate Planning Council of Northwest Florida (1982). Jerry has previously taught as an adjunct instructor at the University of West Florida in probate and estate planning to legal studies majors. He has served as City or Town Attorney for nine Florida Municipalities and General Council to three Florida Community Redevelopment Agencies. In 2001-2002 he served as President of the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association and was awarded the Paul Buchman Award as Floridas Outstanding Municipal Attorney in 2004-2005. Jerry is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating system. Education Florida State University, JD, 1970 Florida State University, BS, 1967 Choctawhatchee High School, Diploma,1963 Bar Membership Florida Supreme Court, 1970 United States Court of Military Appeals. 1971 U. S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, 1975 U. S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1981 U. S. Supreme Court, 1985 Florida Bar Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section member Florida Bar Elder Law Section member Professional, Community Involvement, & Honors Florida Municipal Attorneys Association, President 2000-2001 Paul Buchman Award as Floridas Outstanding Municipal Attorney 2004-2005 Northwest Florida League of Cities Associate Member of the Year 2017, 2018 & 2019 Destin Rotary Club - Rotarian of the Year 2012-2013 Destin Rotary Club - Service Above Self Award 2014-2015 The Florida Bar Attorney Grievance Committee for Circuit (Past Member/Chairman) University of West Florida - Probate & Estate Planning (Past Adjunct Instructor) Ft Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Presidents Outstanding Member Award 1979 Past City of Fort Walton Beach City Council Member 1981-85 and Mayor Pro Tem 1984-85 Past City/Town Attorney for Caryville, Carrabelle, Chattahoochee, Crestview, Destin, Ebro, Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther and Quincy, Florida. Past General Counsel for the Community Redevelopment Agencies of the Cities of Crestview, Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Past Okaloosa Gas District Board member and President Fraternal Involvement and Honors Omega Lodge No. 380 F&AM, Worshipful Master 2019 F&AM District Deputy Grand Master, District 3, 2021-2022 Surf Chapter No. 57 Royal Arch Masons, Excellent High Priest 2020 Gulf Council No. 29, Royal and Select Masters, Illustrious Master 2021 Florida Royal and Select Masters, District Deputy Grand Illustrious Master 2022-2023 Florida Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters Ish Sodi Award recipient 2020 St. Elmo Commandery No. 42, Knight Templar, Eminent Commander 2022 Drexel P. Caldwell Council No.108 of Knight Masons, USA Emerald Coast Council No.443 Allied Masonic Degrees Joseph P. LeSuer No. 80, York Rite College Order of St. Thomas of Acon Fied et Veritas Chapel No. 35 Scottish Rite Valley of Panama City, 32 Scottish Rite Valley of Panama City Knights of St. Andrew, Venerable Master 2020 Municipal Law and Public Officers Ethics Lecturer Florida Municipal Attorneys Association Florida Institute of Local Government Northwest Florida League of Cities Northeast Florida League of Cities Suwanee River Valley League of Cities Alachua County League of Cities Florida League of Cities University