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 firmour 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.
News & Events
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.
