Family Law

• Guardianship
  Ms. Jackson practices in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, probate and guardianship and real estate. She is a member of the Palm Beach County Estate Planning Council.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
• Business Disputes
  The correct formation of a business at its inception can make the difference between the success or failure of the business. Successful creation of a business venture requires effective legal consultation and document preparation. Potential problems must be anticipated and planned for accordingly. This is particular true for individuals who are going into business for themselves for the first time. There are many issues to consider and many pitfalls to avoid. The Firm provides services in the following business law and related areas...
• Limited Liability Companies
  Formation and representation of all forms of business entities, including corporations, partnerships, limited partnership, joint ventures, sole proprietorships, professional associations and limited liability companies.
• Trade Secrets
• Intellectual Property

Employment Law

• Non-compete Agreement
  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently voted 3-2 to ban noncompete agreements nationwide. It is estimated that 18 percent of the American workforce is subject to noncompete agreements. In Florida, noncompete agreements have long been authorized by state statute and have been the bane of countless employees who want to leave their current employment but cannot because of a noncompete that they signed as a condition of employment. This has resulted in many employees remaining in jobs where they are paid less or in jobs with management that they detest.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Whether it is a routine real estate closing, an acquisition loan, refinance or lease of property, Scott-Harris has the experience and knowledge to advise and direct its clients through the complexities of real estate law. We are a local Firm that has lived through the ups and downs of the real estate market in South Florida and are well versed in the unique problems and challenges of South Florida in good and bad times.
• Construction Litigation
  The Firm provides a full array of litigation services for its commercial and real estate clients including condemnations, banking and contract litigation, construction liens and construction claims, and broker commission disputes. The Firm has also combined its skills in real estate and litigation to develop experience in title claims work. Additionally, the Firm’s litigation department handles foreclosures and land use. Creditor’s rights are also actively litigated by the Firm in both state courts and federal courts.
• Real Estate Transactions
  A home typically constitutes a person’s most valuable tangible possession. The sale or purchase of that asset should be handled carefully by professionals with the expertise and knowledge to guide you through the maze. Scott, Harris provides those qualities, having handled all aspects of residential real estate transactions for over fifty years.
• Eminent Domain
  “Eminent Domain”, the government’s power to take private property for public use, has been described by the Florida Supreme Court as one of the harshest proceedings known to law. Through its power of condemnation, a government body can “take” the property of a private citizen, provided that the citizen receives “just compensation”. Unfortunately, the government’s idea of “just compensation” may not realistically match that of the property owner’s. The law firm of Scott, Harris, Bryan, Barra & Jorgensen, P.A. provides the protection and guidance a property owner needs to be assured that the compensation he or she receives is in fact just. If you are an individual or small business property owner who owns property subject to condemnation, then you need an experienced law firm to take on the government, with all of its resources and power, so that you can obtain the compensation for your property that you a justly due..
• Land Use and Zoning
  Scott-Harris is able to offer its clients legal representation for land use, zoning and administrative matters including opposing zoning changes that will negatively impact neighborhoods. There is more than ever increased pressure to develop property, which often results in decreased green space, parks and recreational uses. In south Florida, many golf courses have been sold for development, much to the disappointment of homeowners who paid a premium to live in a golf course community. The law firm’s land use lawyers have the experience and know how to challenge development approvals before County and City Commissions, and in the courtroom. From its years of experience in the field, our land use lawyers are able to counsel their clients about land use and zoning issues, and then actively pursue solutions. The Firm’s experience has been tested in matters associated with Development of Regional Impact; Planned Unit Developments; Comprehensive Land Use Plan changes; rezonings; annexations; special exceptions; variances; and other land use permitting actions.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  The lawyers at Scott-Harris have many years of experience in landlord-tenant law, from drafting complex commercial leases to suing for eviction and damages in both residential and commercial properties. There are technical, legal issues in landlord-tenant law that can seriously affect the rights of a party to a lease agreement, and it is best to have legal representation either when entering into a lease, or when a dispute arises in an existing lease. If you are an individual who owns and leases property, the law firm’s attorneys can guide you through the eviction process efficiently and effectively, and deliver possession of your property back to you as quickly as possible.
• Condominium Law

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Mr. Shepard practices in the areas of real property and transactional law and estate planning. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association as well as the Palm Beach County Bar Association. Additionally, he is an active member of the Attorneys Real Estate Council of Palm Beach County, and a proud Affiliate Member of the Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors.
• Wills
  Very often, people speak of a desire to “avoid probate”. What is probate and why should it be avoided? Simply put, probate is the process by which a deceased person’s affairs are finalized. Of course, this is a simplification and even the simplest estate can have a number of steps that must be taken in order to finalize the decedent’s affairs. The First step in the process is to present the will, if there is one, to the court, for admission to probate. A will is admitted to probate when the judge accepts it as the valid last will and testament of the decedent. It is at this first step that the “will contest” usually takes place, since the purpose of this step is to settle whether the will presented is the true last will and testament of the deceased.
• Trusts
  "We were leaving for a lengthy trip out east and needed assurance that our Living Trust was in order. Justin, our attorney, was thorough, precise and expedited every detail within our time frame of departure. Above all, we appreciated the genuine attention he extended to our questions, explaining complicated terms with clarity. Thank you for gracious and professional service."
• Probate

Finance Law

• Foreclosure
  John M. Jorgensen is a fourth generation Floridian, who earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1982 from the University of Florida. Mr. Jorgensen joined Scott, Harris in 1982, and became a shareholder in 1992. He is currently the President and managing shareholder of the firm. He practices in the areas of civil litigation and trials, with emphasis on real property and business disputes, construction and land use litigation, landlord-tenant both commercial and residential, foreclosures, contract disputes, and appellate practice. He has over 40 years of civil litigation and trial experience, all of them with Scott/Harris.
• Tax Law
  Scott/ Harris is devoted to meeting the personal needs of our clients in estate planning and probate. Over the years, the Firm has developed experience in these areas, and this area of law has become an essential element of the Firm’s practice. The Firm pursues all areas of estate planning and administration, including the drafting of wills, the creation of trusts, both revocable and irrevocable, as well as charitable trusts, postmortem tax planning, and estate planning and administration. Additionally, in will and trust contests, will and trust construction and other contested matters, our probate and litigation lawyers work closely together in aggressively pursuing and protecting our clients’ rights. Finally, the Firm maintains close relationships with the trust departments of numerous local financial institutions to effectively service the needs of our clients in the probate and estate planning area.