Clearwater Divorce, Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Attorney

James Lawrence Slater IV

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More than three decades of legal experience on your side

For more than 30 years, I have proudly represented the people of Florida in civil and criminal matters. My practice is dedicated to representing individuals in divorce and other family matters. I also represent clients and families of loved ones who have been injured or killed as the result of accidents in personal injury lawsuits, as well as those charged with a wide array of crimes, including DWI offenses, misdemeanors and felonies.

An experienced trial lawyer fighting for your rights

I pride myself on my hard work, honesty and success in the courtroom. To date, I have tried in excess of 160 jury trials. I have also been involved in hundreds of non-jury and bench trials. I started my legal career as an Assistant State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas and Pasco counties. I served as lead trial counsel on and tried numerous cases involving all types of criminal offenses. I was accelerated from prosecuting misdemeanor to felony cases in one of the shortest time frames ever in the 6th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office. In 1985, I resigned from the State Attorney's Office and started my own private law practice in Palm Harbor, Florida in order to use my skills to benefit those charged with criminal offenses.

Almost 25 years later, I continue to provide my clients with top-quality representation in any court of law. I am currently licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Court, Florida Supreme Court, Florida District Court of Appeals, and Florida Circuit and County Courts. I am also a proud member of the American Bar Association, Florida Bar, Clearwater Bar Association, Defense Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.

My background

Education has always been important to me. I attended Blackhawk Junior College in Moline, Illinois after graduating from high school. I was responsible for putting myself through college, so I worked tirelessly to do as well as I could. Three years later, I received my Associate in Arts degree, graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

I got married in 1976, and then moved to Florida and enrolled at the University of South Florida in Tampa. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. I was on the Dean's List or honor roll every semester, and received special recognition for Superior Academic Achievement from the school. I also received honors from Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi.

After graduation, I made the decision to pursue law as a career. I attended Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida. While attending Stetson, I participated in numerous competitions, including the school's Moot Court Competition, Trial Advocacy and Civil Trial Practice. I was also a member of the Student Bar Association as well as Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. I graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 1981, and have spent the last 30 years of my life doing what I love.

Practice areas

Bar admissions

• Florida, 1981
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1981
  • U.S. District Court, District of Florida
• Florida District Court of Appeals

Education

• Juris Doctorate, Stetson University School of Law, 1981
  • Participant — Moot Court Competition, Trial Advocacy and Civil Trial Practice
  • Member — Student Bar Association
  • Organization: Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
• B.A., Political Science, University of South Florida, 1978
  • Honors:  Dean's List or Honor Roll for all semesters attended
  • Organizations: Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science, Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi
• A.A., Blackhawk Junior College, 1976
  • 4.0 on a 4.0 scale

Professional affiliations and memberships

• Clearwater Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Florida Bar Association
• Florida Defense Lawyers Association
• American Trial Lawyers Association
• Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association
• The Canakaris American Inns of Court, Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties

Payment information

• Free initial consultation
• Fixed hourly rates & flat fees
• Rates/fees discussed with client per case, per consultation