Long time partner with the firm Jim Spoonhour, concentrates on property taxes, eminent domain/condemnation and appellate law. Jim has been representing property owners in eminent domain (condemnation) cases where a governmental entity (Department of Transportation, county, city, or other state agency) or private utility with condemnation powers sought to take land from private property owners since 1976. Jim represents only property owners, who generally do not pay for consultants or legal fees in Florida condemnation cases. He has represented hundreds of property owners in condemnation cases.
Jim also represents property owners in appealing their ad valorem property tax assessments. His property tax work has extended to nearly every county in the state, although the bulk of this practice is in Central Florida. Jim's property tax work includes review of assessments, direct negotiations with county property appraisers, administrative appeals to the Value Adjustment Board, and tax appeal suits. He has represented virtually every kind of property: hotels, shopping centers, condominium and apartment projects, retail buildings, residential uses, and agricultural uses, as well as tangible personal property.
