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Jim is a proud member of Community Associations Institute (CAI),

and has been featured in its award-winning Common Ground

"Ask the Experts" column on many occasions. 

 

Jim also has been interviewed by Central Florida television and

newspaper reporters regarding cutting edge legal strategies

he has successfully implemented for his clients. 

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Professional History

 

Principal – James A. Gustino, P.A. (1993-present) Jim's practice focuses on homeowner and condominium association litigation, False Claims Act litigation, and contract and real estate litigation.  

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Jim was the First -- and ONLY -- attorney in Florida’s history to successfully challenge a School Board student rezoning decision: Citrus Oaks Homeowners Association, Inc, et al. v. Orange County School Board, Case No. 05-160RU.

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Jim also served as counsel on the three firm litigation team which obtained a $12 million False Claims Act recovery in

2010 for a plaintiff-relator in the healthcare field: 

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https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/florida-health-care-provider-individual-physician-pay-12-million-settle-false-claims-act

 

and successfully prosecuted another False Claims Act case before the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division (See "Latest News")

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Before starting his own firm over 30 years ago, Jim was a partner in two law firms, Sobering & Gray and Burt & Gustino (1988-1993) and an associate with Swann & Haddock (1986-88). Prior his recruitment by Swann & Haddock (the largest law firm in Orlando at the time), Jim worked as an associate with the nationally recognized media and labor law firm of King, Ballow & Little in Nashville, Tennessee (1984-86), with whom he also clerked for 2 1/2 years while attending Vanderbilt University Law School. 

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Education

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Vanderbilt University school of Law – J.D. (1984) Vanderbilt is perennially recognized as one of the nation's top law schools. 

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Syracuse University (Maxwell School of Public Citizenship) – B.A. with Honors, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa (1981).  As an incoming senior, Jim was chosen as the Maxwell School's first undergraduate teaching assistant in Constitutional Law I and II, and mentored the undergraduate students chosen to compete in the Constitutional Law Moot Court program.  As a junior, Jim had been chosen twice to brief and argue cases in Syracuse University's Constitutional Law Moot Court program.

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Client and Peer Testimonials 

"James possesses all of the qualities you want in an attorney: intelligence, creativity, determination and

cost consciousness."

-Stuart J. Glick, Esq. 

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“Jim is not only a sharp and aggressive trial attorney that obtains the best results possible for his clients, but also a pragmatic business attorney that approaches every case with a cost-efficient mindset, saving his clients’ money in the long run.”

-Robert Garcia, Esq.

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"James Gustino's exceptional ability as an attorney lies in cutting through 'legalese' and both identifying and analyzing the facts

at hand. Our association has benefited tremendously

from his integrity and expertise."

-Mary Prince, LCAM

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"As a property manager and as president of my own association,

I have worked with multiple association specialists over the

years, and Jim is at the top of the list. Jim packages the rare

trifecta of accessibility, detailed knowledge, and genuine

care -- we are lucky to work with him."

-Drew Pommet, Ph.D., LCAM

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"I work closely with Mr. Gustino handling HOA issues. He is extremely knowledgeable and thorough regarding any

issues that are sent to him. I would highly recommend

his services to anyone."

-Jackie Gildea, LCAM

 

"I've worked with Jim both as an HOA President and on my own

personal matters. He's always been able to condense

complicated issues into their legal essence and explain

them clearly in layman's terms.  That ability,

combined with his sage advice, has always led to

the best possible outcomes. I've been to court

with him and seen his quick thinking and legal

acumen in action -- I felt bulletproof!"

     -Greg Keethler, Former Board President   

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"Jim is a consummate professional and unquestionably competent in his profession. He is polite and reasonable,

even in aggravated situations.  He is always willing

to listen to and work with those facing difficult

circumstances, while maintaining our best interests

as his top priority. He has been an outstanding resource

to our HOA, recovering many thousands of dollars

in otherwise lost revenues and has provided our

Board with wise counsel on numerous important

issues. We are very pleased and feel quite fortunate

to have James Gustino in our court."

      -William Crawford, Board Member

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"After talking to many attorneys, we choose to retain Jim to represent our condominium association in litigation. He is

cool headed and very smart. He wisely spends his time

on the case and very generous with his time to

answer questions or send replies to emails.

I recommend Jim to any HOA or COA to resolve

any outstanding issues with great enthusiasm."

-Rao Kamarsu, Board President

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“We worked very well with Jim and his law firm over the

course of a year on a contract dispute that Jim handled from

start to finish with the ultimate result we were looking for.

He was extremely professional, timely in his responses and

always available when needed. I couldn’t have asked for

a better lawyer for the task at hand. I would hire 

and recommend Gustino Law if we needed

anything else in his line of expertise.”

-Doug Martell, Business Owner

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"James has a strong moral compass and will always advise our Board in the right direction. He is a strong attorney who

has the best interest of my HOA at heart.

I highly recommend him."

-Stacy Figueroa, Board President

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"I have had the pleasure of working with Jim on multiple occasions. Jim is a patient listener, gathers all the facts

and then is a very strategic thinker in how to deal

with complex issues. He is very firm yet logical and compassionate. Jim is always my first phone call

when I need help on legal matters."

-Scooter Leonard

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"I have been fortunate enough to know Jim for over 20 years. A fantastic personality and a dedicated and caring professional

who can communicate the law to you in a way that you can

understand.  He is incredibly bright and fights for his clients."

-John Skandamis

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"None of us want to hire a attorney and usually do so as a last resort.  IF you want an attorney who is in your corner, hire James Gustino. Our HOA used James' expertise to

revitalize our association documents and also took

his advice on several other issues. James, unlike

many attorneys, returns his calls and does not

'disappear' after cinching your case."

-Joyce Glennon, Board Member/Former Board President 

 

"Jim’s years of experience have provided us with the guidance

we need to navigate the sometimes daunting legal

aspects of leading our community."

C.P. McGriff, Board Member  

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"I have worked with James for many years and

he has always done excellent work."

-Ray Brownlee, Business Owner 

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"As President of a self-managed HOA, James was extremely helpful in

all areas of HOA law. James was always straightforward and

transparent on issues that required potential litigation and 

the steps needed to execute."

-Don Smith, Former Board President

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"James asks about and remains cognizant of your goals and works towards achieving them - be it through litigation or negotiation.

He will advise you if you are going to be too aggressive

or your position is reasonable."

-Tim Patel, Business Owner

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"James is very thoughtful in his explanations of the law and how best to achieve one's goals"

  -Janet Lackey 

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"I highly recommend Attorney, Jim Gustino"

    -Larry Grant    

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"Strong, Transparent Relationships

Remain the Cornerstone of the Firm's Success"

 

     A fully informed, satisfied client is the best measure of

     any attorney's success.  Jim prides himself in being very

approachable and able to explain complex and highly nuanced legal issues in an easily understood manner.

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Public Service

• Pro Bono Counsel to St. Luke's United Methodist Church on a variety of real property, contract and community development issues (1999-ongoing)

• Board Member, Vice President and President, West Orange Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (2013-18) 

• Member, Winter Garden Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board (2008-10)

• Founding Co-Director of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Legal Ministry (2005-10)

• Steering Committee Member, Count Me In! – Foundation Orange County Public Schools (2006-08)

• Member, Board of Trustees, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (1999-2001)

• Guardian Ad Litem to Abused and Neglected Children, Orange County Bar Association (1986-94)