Practice Areas

Litigation and Appeals
Bond, Arnett, Phelan, Smith & Craggs, P.A. is composed of experienced trial attorneys who successfully pursue and resolve litigation matters including complex commercial and corporate issues, real estate and probate claims, and dissolution of marriage cases. We have more than 50 years of combined experience in litigation and have represented clients at administrative hearings as well as in State and Federal Courts throughout central Florida.

This experience allows us to counsel clients on the practical aspects of litigating claims, including the avoidance of litigation through risk assessment and long range planning. Additionally, our firm is well grounded in the use of mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution methods enabling us to counsel clients on their advantages and limitations. Areas handled include:

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Commercial and Residential Real Estate
Bond, Arnett, Phelan, Smith & Craggs, P.A., represents commercial and residential clients in all proceedings and transactions that deal with real property, land and the structures attached to it. Our firm includes two attorneys who are Board Certified Real Estate Lawyers by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization & Education. In addition, we have several experienced real estate paralegals, and a number of closing agents.

The firm also enjoys a sophisticated construction law practice. We represent a variety of clients including owners, contractors, construction managers, developers, design professionals, and suppliers. Our attorneys are experienced in representing both private and public or municipal interests in matters relating to zoning, land use, bidding and document preparation, contract negotiation and formation, contract performance, financing and warranty issues, mechanics and materialmen liens, products liability issues, claims and dispute resolution. We work with engineers, design professionals and other consultants to ensure that each project proceeds according to plan and that any disputes are resolved in an expeditious manner.

Areas handled include:

• Municipal Law and Land Use
• Construction Contracts
• Defects
• Conveyancing
• Title Insurance
• Condemnation
• Eminent Domain
• Landlord Tenant
• Mortgages
• Foreclosures
• Engineer's Liability

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Business and Commercial Law
Our attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience in assisting clients with business and commercial litigation and transactions. This experience enables our firm to assist corporate and business clients with all facets of their business or commercial legal needs. We handle a broad range of basic and complex business and commercial legal matters including:

Business Start Up

• Financing (private, public and venture financing)
• Entity Formation, Governance and Shareholder Agreements
• Licensing and Intellectual Property Protection
• Regulatory Compliance
• Contract drafting and negotiation (including leases and land use agreements)
• Franchises

On going Business Management

• Employment Issues
  • Employment and Consulting Agreements
  • Stock Option and Executive Compensation Issues
  • Establishment of Employment and Labor Law Policies
  • Defense of Claims
• Shareholder Rights
• Secured Transactions
• UCC
• Warranties

Business Expansion or Transfer

• Stock and Asset Purchases and Sales
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures
• Franchising
• Reorganizations
• Divestures

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Banking and Finance
Bond, Arnett, Phelan, Smith & Craggs, P.A. assists depositors, lenders, and borrowers in accordance with intricate state and Federal banking statutes and regulations. Our attorneys have experience in lending and secured transactions, loan workouts, mortgages and foreclosures, public finance, state and municipal bonds and financing, venture capital, and international banking matters. Clients include borrowers, commercial banks, credit unions, savings and thrifts, and holding companies.

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Estate and Tax Planning, Probate and Estate Administration
Bond, Arnett, Phelan, Smith & Craggs, P.A. offers estate planning designed for individuals and families with high net worth, family owned businesses, or other assets in need of protection. In addition, we offer a range of services designed to allow clients to maintain control of their lives and continue their independence through their senior years.

Services offered include:

Our firm has experienced litigators to handle issues that may arise in the course of settling an estate, including:

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Family Law
Our firm represents individuals with family law issues ranging from adoptions to divorce. We strive to help people through the emotional and legal challenges that often accompany family law issues by helping them to assess their options and make the decision that best suits their situation. We are experienced in handling divorces involving division of jointly owned businesses, properties, collections, or other difficult to quantify assets. We ensure that each client understands the issues inherent in their case so that they can make good decisions and when necessary we fight aggressively for our client's rights in court and on appeal.

Our firm includes a Certified Family Court Mediator. He uses his mediation skills and training to help each client assess and address their goals and interests in an effort to resolve some or all of the issues in their case while minimizing the financial and emotional impact of divorce or separation.

We provide representation for the following family law issues:

Divorce Separation (including separation agreements) Child Support Child Custody and Visitation. Alimony Marital Property Division Debt Division Adoptions

Pre-Nuptial Agreements Department of Social Services Cases Post-Divorce Issues: Contempt Recalculation of Child Support Custody Modification Visitation Modification

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Environmental Law
Environmental law is a combination of state and Federal statutes and regulations, local ordinances, and case law governing clean air practice, water pollution, hazardous and solid waste, wetlands, and wild lands. Bond, Arnett, Phelan, Smith & Craggs, P.A. has the experience to help clients with issues involving:

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Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the process of resolving legal conflicts without going to trial. ADR comes in many forms including arbitration, mediation, mini-trials, and private judging. Our firm routinely advises clients on the legal consequences flowing from particular terms and conditions of various ADR options, and have extensive expertise in determining when ADR is in the best interest of clients. Our attorneys have substantial experience and training in various forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution and have particular expertise in mediation. M. Thomas Bond, Jr. is on state and federal recommended mediator lists and is a well-respected family law mediator.

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Administrative Law
Our firm represents clients in all aspects of Federal and state regulation, including administrative appeals and litigation. We are well versed in the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, which deals with administrative hearings and adjudication, administrative investigations, administrative officers and agents, administrative rulemaking, licensing, and regulatory enforcement.

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Agriculture
Bond, Arnett, Phelan, Smith & Craggs, P.A. represents numerous agri-business clients throughout central and north Florida. These include a number of larger cattle ranches, timber and forestry companies, and farms. The attorneys at Bond, Arnett, Phelan, Smith & Craggs, P.A. recognize the unique needs and concerns associated with agriculture.

Specific areas of expertise include environmental matters before Water Management Districts and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, permitting matters, sales transactions, formation of business entities as well as estate and business planning. In addition, BAPS&C represents several of the prominent horse farms in the Ocala/Marion County area, as well as agri-business lenders.

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