M. LANNING FOX

Partner

Biography

Lanning concentrates his practice in the areas of trust and estate planning and administration, including the protection of assets and avoidance of probate, guardianship and federal transfer tax, primarily by the drafting of wills, trusts and disability agency appointments, the reconfiguration of asset ownership, and the preparation of transfer tax returns.. He also specializes in commercial real estate transactions involving transfers, development, land use permitting, and financing. In such transactions, he represents both individual and business clients, and also the trust and commercial loan departments of some of the area's major financial institutions. In addition, he has extensive experience with the issues involved in the establishment, structure, and operation of closely held real estate, business and professional organizations. Lanning is Board Certified by the Board of Legal Specialization and Education of the Florida Bar in the area of Real Estate, and he is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating a lawyer can receive. He has lived and practiced law on the Treasure Coast for nearly 40 years, and he is one of the founders of the firm. He enjoys family time, tennis, beachcombing and the Florida Gators.

Education

• University of Florida College of Law Juris Doctorate Highest Honors 1975
• Emory University
• University of Florida Bacholors With Honors 1968

Community Activities

• Hospice of Martin and St. Lucie Counties, Director 1985-1991 -
• Martin County Council for the Arts, Director 1991-1998 -
• Martin County Council for the Arts, Chair 1996-1998 -
• United Way of Martin County, Director 1994-1999 -
• Tri-County TEC, Director 1979-1980 -
• Industrial Development Board of Martin County, Member 1991-1999 -
• Barnett Bank of Martin County, NA, Director 1984-1998 -

Awards / Recognitions

• Order of the Coif
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Executive Editor, University of Florida Law Review
• Gertrude Block Law Review Prize

Professional Affiliations

• Martin County Bar Association
• Martin County Estate Planning Council, Founding Member
• Treasure Coast Planned Giving Council
• Martin County Real Property Council
• Grievance Committee, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit 1988-1992
  • Chair 1992
• Town Attorney 1982-1996
  • Town of Sewall's Point, Florida
• Florida Law Review Alumni Association
• Instructor of Legal Writing 1975
  • University of Florida College of Law