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A Century
of Growth
Proud of our rich history and passionate about the community where we live and work.
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A Century
of Excellence
Tackling complex legal problems while staying rooted in the small-town principles our clients value.
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over100 years

Proud of our rich history and passionate
about the community where we live and work.

For 100 years the Farr Law Firm has served Southwest Florida and is the oldest and largest law firm in Charlotte County. The firm tackles complex legal problems while staying rooted in the same small town principles you value. The multi-practice law firm addresses the needs and challenges that face both individuals and businesses.

The firm zealously serves clients throughout Southwest Florida, from Naples to Fort Myers up through Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, North Port, Englewood, Venice, Sarasota and all the surrounding communities. We dedicate ourselves to protecting the rights of the individual and to the responsible development of the business, social, and cultural climate of this growing, beautiful, and prosperous region.

about our firm

our history

1924

Earl D. Farr (1900-1988)

Earl D. Farr opens the law firm in Punta Gorda having graduated from the University of Florida Law School in 1923 and briefly practiced law with his brother in Wauchula. Founded in 1924, Farr Law Firm began when Earl D. Farr ventured out of his hometown of Wauchula with only $500 and a typewriter to open a law office in Punta Gorda. Over time, that one-man law firm grew to become the largest law firm in Charlotte County today.

1924

1931

City of Punta Gorda

Earl D. Farr became the county attorney and served as the attorney for the City of Punta Gorda

1931

1934

First Federal Savings and Loan

Helped incorporate and represented First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charlotte County

1934

1940

Right-of-Way for U.S. 41

Earl D. Farr obtained the right-of-way for U.S. 41 convincing the state to acquire 200 feet rather than the typical 100 feet to prepare for the future

1940

1943

Earl D. Farr became a director of First Federal Savings & Loan of Charlotte County

1943

1950

The Punta Gorda office was built at 115 Olympia Avenue

1950

1951

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. (1926-2010)

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. entered law practice with his father

1951

1952

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. served as President of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce for two years

1952

1954

Port Charlotte Subdivision

Earl D. Farr examined the base title and wrote title opinions for 82,000 acres which became the basis of all title insurance for Port Charlotte Subdivision

1954

1958

PGI Incorporated

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. retained as the attorney for the newly formed corporation called PGI Incorporated and represented throughout the development of Punta Gorda Isles, Deep Creek, Burnt Store subdivisions, Burnt Store Marina, Prairie Creek, and Sugarmill Woods

1958

1958

Earl D. Farr represented the purchaser in the largest transfer of submerged lands in Southwest Florida

1958

1960

Kenton H. Haymans (1933-2021) became associated with the firm

1960

1961

The firm opened an office in Port Charlotte on Tamiami Trail and Galway Lane

1961

1963

Bernard R. Moseley (1931-2016) was hired and became the first full time attorney at the Port Charlotte office

1963

1970

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. served on The Florida Bar Board of Governors

1970

1971

Guy S. Emerich became associated with the firm

1971

1973

Robert C. Sifrit became associated with the firm

1973

1974

Earl D. Farr named Chairman of the Board of First Federal Savings and Loan of Charlotte County

1974

1975

Guy S. Emerich served on Florida Blue Ribbon Committee on Land Sale Fraud

1975

1976

Lester E. Durst (1951 – 2016) became associated with the firm

1976

1977

Earl D. Farr named Chairman Emeritus of First Federal Savings and Loan of Charlotte County

1977

1979

Jack O. Hackett II became associated with the firm

1979

1983

Michael P. Haymans, Charles T. Boyle and Darol H. M. Carr became associated with the firm

1983

1983

REALTORS® of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto, Inc.

Jack Hackett became General Counsel for what is now Realtors® of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto, Inc. and still serves in that capacity today

1983

1984

The Port Charlotte office moved to a new location on Aaron Street

1984

1986

Connie M. Schider became associated with the firm

1986

1987

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr elected as a Director of First Federal Savings Bank of Charlotte County

1987

1989

Jack Hackett becomes the first Board Certified attorney in Real Estate Law in Charlotte County

1989

1991

Jack Hackett served as the President of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce

1991

1992

Jack Hackett named the Governor’s appointee to the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council

1992

1993

David A. Holmes became associated with the firm

1993

1994

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

Darol Carr begins serving as general counsel for the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and remains in that role today

1994

2001

Punta Gorda Dedication

Farr’s newly built two-story location is dedicated and opens in Punta Gorda

2001

2002

Roger H. Miller III became associated with the firm

2002

2002

David Holmes served as the President of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce

2002

2003

Dorothy L. Korszen became associated with the firm

2003

2004

Hurricane Charlie

Hurricane Charlie hits Punta Gorda as a CAT5 storm

2004

2005

William W. Sunter became associated with the firm

2005

2006

Babcock Florida Company

Represented Babcock Florida Company in then-largest sale of 93,000 acres to State of Florida resulting in the community of Babcock Ranch developed by Kitson & Partners

2006

2009

Forrest J. Bass became associated with the firm

2009

2010

George T. Williamson became associated with the firm

2010

2011

Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity

Farr Law Firm donates land to Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity to support its efforts in giving a local resident, Dorothy Carter, the opportunity to achieve the “American dream” of owning a home. Firm employees also participated in the construction.

2011

2011

Animal Welfare League Donation

Farr Law Firm commemorates the passing of firm pioneer Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. with a donation of $25,000 to the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County. Throughout his life, Mr. Farr was a passionate supporter of the organization through his volunteer efforts and financial contributions.  He also adopted two cats from the AWL.

2011

2013

Brett H. Sifrit became associated with the firm

2013

2013

Business of the Year

Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce selects Farr Law Firm as “Business of the Year” for strong business accomplishments, as well as a commitment to the community. Attorneys David Holmes and Darol Carr accepted the award at the 88th Annual Banquet.

2013

2014

Farr Law Firm expands to Venice, Florida and welcomes Ann C. Thompson’s practice

2014

2015

The Englewood office relocates to Jacaranda Office Park in Venice, FL

2015

2017

Kelsey J. Veitengruber became associated with the firm

2017

2018

Sunseeker Resorts

Representation of Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor begins. Sunseeker has 22 acres of endless waterfront views on Charlotte Harbor, Florida’s second largest estuary.

2018

2019

Isphording, Bechtold & Sharrer, P.A. located in Venice, FL merged with the Farr Law Firm

2019

2019

Brady H. Sharrer became associated with the firm

2019

2019

George Williamson appointed to Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in National Valsartan NDMA Products Liability Litigation

2019

2021

Guy S. Emerich 50 Year Anniversary

Guy S. Emerich celebrates 50 years as an attorney at Farr

2021

2022

Venice Office Merger

Two Venice offices move to one new Venice location on Nokomis Ave

2022

2023

Jack O. Hackett Honored

Jack Hackett honored with the Eagle Award to celebrate his 40 years as being legal counsel for the REALTORS® of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto Inc.®

2023

2024

100 Years

Farr Law Firm celebrates its 100 year anniversary

2024

2024

Muirhead Gaylor Steves & Waskom, P.A. merge their practice with FarrLaw

W. E. “Chip” Gaylor III and Elsbeth “Beth” G. Waskom join FarrLaw as Of Counsel attorneys.

2024

our history

1924

Earl D. Farr (1900-1988)

Earl D. Farr opens the law firm in Punta Gorda having graduated from the University of Florida Law School in 1923 and briefly practiced law with his brother in Wauchula. Founded in 1924, Farr Law Firm began when Earl D. Farr ventured out of his hometown of Wauchula with only $500 and a typewriter to open a law office in Punta Gorda. Over time, that one-man law firm grew to become the largest law firm in Charlotte County today.

1931

City of Punta Gorda

Earl D. Farr became the county attorney and served as the attorney for the City of Punta Gorda

1934

First Federal Savings and Loan

Helped incorporate and represented First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charlotte County

1940

Right-of-Way for U.S. 41

Earl D. Farr obtained the right-of-way for U.S. 41 convincing the state to acquire 200 feet rather than the typical 100 feet to prepare for the future

1943

Earl D. Farr became a director of First Federal Savings & Loan of Charlotte County

1950

The Punta Gorda office was built at 115 Olympia Avenue

1951

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. (1926-2010)

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. entered law practice with his father

1952

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. served as President of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce for two years

1954

Port Charlotte Subdivision

Earl D. Farr examined the base title and wrote title opinions for 82,000 acres which became the basis of all title insurance for Port Charlotte Subdivision

1958

PGI Incorporated

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. retained as the attorney for the newly formed corporation called PGI Incorporated and represented throughout the development of Punta Gorda Isles, Deep Creek, Burnt Store subdivisions, Burnt Store Marina, Prairie Creek, and Sugarmill Woods

1958

Earl D. Farr represented the purchaser in the largest transfer of submerged lands in Southwest Florida

1960

Kenton H. Haymans (1933-2021) became associated with the firm

1961

The firm opened an office in Port Charlotte on Tamiami Trail and Galway Lane

1963

Bernard R. Moseley (1931-2016) was hired and became the first full time attorney at the Port Charlotte office

1970

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. served on The Florida Bar Board of Governors

1971

Guy S. Emerich became associated with the firm

1973

Robert C. Sifrit became associated with the firm

1974

Earl D. Farr named Chairman of the Board of First Federal Savings and Loan of Charlotte County

1975

Guy S. Emerich served on Florida Blue Ribbon Committee on Land Sale Fraud

1976

Lester E. Durst (1951 – 2016) became associated with the firm

1977

Earl D. Farr named Chairman Emeritus of First Federal Savings and Loan of Charlotte County

1979

Jack O. Hackett II became associated with the firm

1983

Michael P. Haymans, Charles T. Boyle and Darol H. M. Carr became associated with the firm

1983

REALTORS® of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto, Inc.

Jack Hackett became General Counsel for what is now Realtors® of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto, Inc. and still serves in that capacity today

1984

The Port Charlotte office moved to a new location on Aaron Street

1986

Connie M. Schider became associated with the firm

1987

Earl Drayton Farr, Jr elected as a Director of First Federal Savings Bank of Charlotte County

1989

Jack Hackett becomes the first Board Certified attorney in Real Estate Law in Charlotte County

1991

Jack Hackett served as the President of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce

1992

Jack Hackett named the Governor’s appointee to the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council

1993

David A. Holmes became associated with the firm

1994

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

Darol Carr begins serving as general counsel for the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and remains in that role today

2001

Punta Gorda Dedication

Farr’s newly built two-story location is dedicated and opens in Punta Gorda

2002

Roger H. Miller III became associated with the firm

2002

David Holmes served as the President of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce

2003

Dorothy L. Korszen became associated with the firm

2004

Hurricane Charlie

Hurricane Charlie hits Punta Gorda as a CAT5 storm

2005

William W. Sunter became associated with the firm

2006

Babcock Florida Company

Represented Babcock Florida Company in then-largest sale of 93,000 acres to State of Florida resulting in the community of Babcock Ranch developed by Kitson & Partners

2009

Forrest J. Bass became associated with the firm

2010

George T. Williamson became associated with the firm

2011

Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity

Farr Law Firm donates land to Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity to support its efforts in giving a local resident, Dorothy Carter, the opportunity to achieve the “American dream” of owning a home. Firm employees also participated in the construction.

2011

Animal Welfare League Donation

Farr Law Firm commemorates the passing of firm pioneer Earl Drayton Farr, Jr. with a donation of $25,000 to the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County. Throughout his life, Mr. Farr was a passionate supporter of the organization through his volunteer efforts and financial contributions.  He also adopted two cats from the AWL.

2013

Brett H. Sifrit became associated with the firm

2013

Business of the Year

Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce selects Farr Law Firm as “Business of the Year” for strong business accomplishments, as well as a commitment to the community. Attorneys David Holmes and Darol Carr accepted the award at the 88th Annual Banquet.

2014

Farr Law Firm expands to Venice, Florida and welcomes Ann C. Thompson’s practice

2015

The Englewood office relocates to Jacaranda Office Park in Venice, FL

2017

Kelsey J. Veitengruber became associated with the firm

2018

Sunseeker Resorts

Representation of Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor begins. Sunseeker has 22 acres of endless waterfront views on Charlotte Harbor, Florida’s second largest estuary.

2019

Isphording, Bechtold & Sharrer, P.A. located in Venice, FL merged with the Farr Law Firm

2019

Brady H. Sharrer became associated with the firm

2019

George Williamson appointed to Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in National Valsartan NDMA Products Liability Litigation

2021

Guy S. Emerich 50 Year Anniversary

Guy S. Emerich celebrates 50 years as an attorney at Farr

2022

Venice Office Merger

Two Venice offices move to one new Venice location on Nokomis Ave

2023

Jack O. Hackett Honored

Jack Hackett honored with the Eagle Award to celebrate his 40 years as being legal counsel for the REALTORS® of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto Inc.®

2024

100 Years

Farr Law Firm celebrates its 100 year anniversary

2024

Muirhead Gaylor Steves & Waskom, P.A. merge their practice with FarrLaw

W. E. “Chip” Gaylor III and Elsbeth “Beth” G. Waskom join FarrLaw as Of Counsel attorneys.