James H. Nance, Attorney

Since Jim Nance founded the firm on August 1, 1963, he has handled numerous precedent-setting cases in Brevard County. In 1981, he represented the workers killed and injured when the Harbor Kay Condominium project collapsed.

An outstanding litigator, he obtained the first $100,000 verdict and the first $1 million dollar verdict in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit which includes Seminole and Brevard Counties. Mr. Nance was also one of the 9 Florida lawyers appointed by the late Governor Chiles who successfully sued the tobacco companies on behalf of the State of Florida, resulting in a remarkable settlement of more than $13 billion in 1997.

Mr. Nance serves on the Board of Directors of the nation's most exclusive group of 100 trial lawyers, The Inner Circle of Advocates, serving as its president from 1981 to 1983. Each member of this organization has achieved numerous verdicts of over $1 million for their clients.  He also is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (which is limited to 500 members internationally).

Other current Directorships include the National Board of Trial Advocacy (the organization that board certifies trial lawyers nationally), the Board of Directors of the Bank, Melbourne, Florida, and the Board of Directors of the Haven, a home for abused children. He is also on the Board of Governors of the Brevard Community College Foundation.

Mr. Nance belongs to many different Membership organizations as well, including a Lifetime membership of the Brevard County Police Chiefs Association, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He is also a member of the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, and Who's Who in American Law.

In 1999 Mr. Nance received the March of Dimes Citizen of the Year Award. He has also been the recipient of Stetson University's 'S' Club Lifetime Achievement Award.

Within his community, Mr. Nance established the Jim Nance Nursing Scholarship at Brevard Community College, an Athletic Scholarship at Stetson University in Deland and a Pre Law Scholarship at Flagler College in St. Augustine. He also sponsors several organizations, such as The Haven, March of Dimes and the Boy Scouts of America, he donated a fountain to the University of Miami School of Law, and has the James H. Nance Park in Indialantic, Florida, named in his honor.