Adron H. Walker, Esq.

FOUNDING PARTNER

Adron Walker is a fourth generation Floridian, born and raised in Arcadia, Florida. Adron received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in May 1977, from Stetson University in Deland, Florida, and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, in May 1980. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1980.

Adron served as a Captain in the U.S. Army JAG (legal) Corps for over 4 years prior to moving to Bradenton. He is married to Gayle Goodfriend.

His community and professional commitments include being the 1994-95 Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Manatee County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the 1993-94 Allocations Chairman and "Board Member of the Year" for the United Way of Manatee County where he remains a Director as well as a Trustee of the United Way Foundation.

Adron is a member of The Florida Bar, its Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, and the Manatee County Bar Association. Adron practices in areas of business law and real property law.

Garret T. Barnes, Esq.

FOUNDING PARTNER

Garret Barnes graduated from St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Wake Forest University at Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in May 1987, and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, in May 1991. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1991.

Garret is married with three children. His community and professional commitments include being a past Director of the Manatee County Chapter of the American Red Cross, a past Director of the United Way of Manatee County, a past President and current Trustee of the Board of Trustees of St. Stephen's Episcopal School, a past member of the Kiwanis Club of Bradenton, current Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the South Florida Museum, and past Secretary and member of the Vestry for Christ Episcopal Church.

Garret is a member of The Florida Bar, its Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, and the Manatee County Bar Association. He practices in the areas of real property law, residential and commercial transactions, land development and planning, administrative law, and business law.

Jeffrey S. Goethe, Esq.

PARTNER

Jeff Goethe was raised in Bradenton and graduated from Manatee High School in 1982. Jeff was a member of the 1981 District Championship football team at Manatee, and continued to play football for four years at Maryville College in Tennessee, while maintaining a Presidential Scholarship for academics. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History at Maryville College, Jeff attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1987 to 1990. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1986 and served while attending law school. After returning to Florida, he transferred to the Florida National Guard and served until 1992. Jeff lives in Bradenton with his wife, Jeannie. Together, they have raised seven children.

Jeff's community involvement has included:

The Hernando DeSoto Historical Society;
The Board of Directors of the Manatee County Boys and Girls Clubs;
Volunteer Pop Warner football coach;
Volunteer Manatee County Family YMCA Coach; and
Catechist, St. Joseph Catholic Church's Parrish School of Religion.
Jeff strongly believes in the value of active participation in professional organizations. His memberships, including committees and leadership positions within those organizations, include:

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (2014 to present);
Elder Law Committee
Asset Protection Committee
The American Bar Association;
Real Property, Trusts and Estates Section
Fellow, The American Bar Foundation (2020-present)
The Florida Bar (1990 to present)
Member, The Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Executive Council (2010 to present)
Florida Bar Journal Committee (2013-2021; Co-Editor 2015-2021)
Wills, Trusts and Estates Certification Review Course Committee (2012-2021; Chair 2015-2021)
Probate Law and Procedure Committee (2009 to present; Co-Vice Chair 2010-2011 and 2019-2020)
Homestead Issues Study Committee (2007 to present; Co-Chair 2016-2020; Chair 2020-present)
016 John Arthur Jones Annual Service Award
Member, Elder Law Section
Author, Chapter 14 Final Distribution and Discharge, Practice Under the Florida Probate Code, 10th edition (The Florida Bar 2020)
Co-Author, Chapter 11 Compensation Disputes, Litigation Under the Florida Probate Code, 12th Edition (The Florida Bar 2020)
Author, 2020 A Challenging Year for Keeping Up With Changes to Probate and Guardianship Rules and Statues (The Florida Bar Journal, March 2021)
Co-Author, Homestead Planning Under Florida's New "Safe Harbor" Statute (The Florida Bar Journal, May 2019)
Author, Trust Protectors Under Current Florida Law (The Florida Bar Journal, June 2017)
The Florida Probate Rules Committee
Member (2006-2012 and 2014-2020)
Chair (2010-2011 and 2019-2020)
The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Committee (2020-present)
The Manatee County Bar Association
Member (1991-present)
President (2014-2015)
The Manatee Inns of Court, Emeritus Member
The Manatee Estate Planning Council
Lecturer and author for various professional groups in the areas of probate and estate planning.
Author, Florida Wills, Trusts and Estates Blog.
Jeff has attained several professional ratings based upon his experience and reviews from his peers:

Board-Certified by The Florida Bar as a specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates (2010-present)
"Superior" rating from the AVVO attorney rating service
"AV-Preeminent" peer review rating through Martindale-Hubbell
"Super Lawyer" recognition by Thomson Reuters through its peer review process. (2017-present)

Andre R. Perron, Esq.

PARTNER

Mr. Perron is recognized by the State of Florida Bar Association as a specialist in business litigation having met the standards of certification. The certification is limited to trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, experience and knowledge in business litigation. Less than five percent (5%) of the Florida Bars 50,000 members have obtained certification. Mr. Perron's experience includes twenty-five (25) years of practice in State and Federal courts in Florida, as well as arbitration and mediation. Mr. Perron is a member in good standing of the Florida Bar, the Federal Court for the Northern, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the Fifth and the Eleventh Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Perron is also a member of the New Hampshire Bar, the Massachusetts Bar and the Federal Court for the District of New Hampshire. Mr. Perron has settled and/or tried Federal and State Court cases involving violation of civil rights, broker/customer and broker/company disputes, contract disputes, creditor actions and trust and probate disputes, These cases included non-competition litigation, multi-million dollar trust beneficiary disputes, will contests, claims against broker dealers for churning and mismanagement, disputes involving family limited partnerships, collection claims and other complex business torts and contract claims. Mr. Perron has the experience and judgment to evaluate your situation, retain exceptional experts based on their past performance, advise you as to the local judge and jury makeup and give you the information you need to make the best decision in prosecuting your claim or defense. Mr. Perron has further tried and settled matters before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and American Arbitration Association arbitration panels.

John J. Shea, Esq.

PARTNER

John J. Shea has had the good fortune to be raised (since 1958) and to practice law in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties. After graduating from Manatee High School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1973 from the University of Florida and was inducted into Florida Blue Key, the University of Florida's honorary society for public service and leadership. John received his Juris Doctorate degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1978, while working as a real estate agent in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was admitted to The Florida Bar that year and immediately began his practice of law.

John is currently the partner in charge of the Firm's Sarasota office on Ringling Boulevard. He has practiced in the areas of real property, estate planning, and business law since the beginning of his career, with an emphasis on real estate and business transactions. John's professional skills and experience in representing many clients in their million-dollar plus residential real estate closings has allowed him to be of continuing service to them on their estate planning, business law, and real estate matters. He and his staff's commitment to client service is in concert with the principles that we follow.

John and his wife Amy have maintained a strong continuing commitment to community service. He has served on numerous Boards of Directors including the Manatee County Bar Association, Manatee Players, Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Volunteer Center, Florida Winefest and Auction, Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County, New Gate School, and as Chair of the Girls Incorporated Foundation. John currently serves on the Board and as Chair of the Team Tony Cancer Foundation. John and Amy have three children, Rachael, Brendan, and Kiera.

M. Brandon Robinson, Esq.

Brandon Robinson, Esq. received his Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management in 2011, from Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of Mark Twain. Brandon earned his Juris Doctor degree and a Certificate of Concentration in Elder Law from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, graduating cum laude in 2015. Upon graduation, Brandon received the Matthew Bender Elder Law Book Award as well as the William F. Blew Pro Bono Service Award, having provided over 470 hours of pro bono services during law school. Brandon was sworn in as a member of The Florida Bar in 2015, is also licensed to practice before the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and is a United States Department of Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney. His practice is focused primarily on wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, guardianship, and veteran's benefits.

Prior to joining Barnes Walker, Goethe, Perron, & Shea, PLLC, Brandon worked to combat elder consumer fraud and exploitation while serving for two years as the Elder Consumer Protection Fellow for Stetson University College of Law. His community and professional commitments include serving as the Secretary for the Board of Directors for the Manatee County Bar Association's Young Lawyer Division, serving on the Florida Bar's Military Affairs Committee, the Florida Bar Elder Law Section Estate Planning Committee, the Florida Bar Elder Law Section's Veterans Benefits Committee, and formerly serving as the Treasurer of the Thomas E. Penick Jr. American Inn of Court. Brandon is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys; the Association of Florida Elder Law Attorneys; the Estate Planning Council of Manatee County; the Florida Bar Elder Law Section; the Florida Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; the Florida Bar Speaker's Bureau; and is active in the St. Petersburg Community Law Program's annual Wills for Warriors Program. Brandon serves as a board member for the Town of Kenneth City Planning and Zoning Board, is the Judge Advocate of Marine Corps League Detachment #57, is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and serves as a member of the Marine Corps League Honor Guard for military funerals, parades, and other civic events.

Before college, Brandon enlisted in the United State Marine Corps, serving honorably in combat as an Ammunition Specialist Technician in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded several different medals, ribbons, badges, and citations including the Presidential Unit Citation, Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Following his discharge from the Marines, Brandon worked as an emergency medical technician, became a CPR and first-aid instructor, managed a horse ranch, trained as a welder, and became a master scuba diver trainer and full cave diver before finishing his undergraduate degree.

Brandon and his wife Dawn have two grown sons, one daughter in college (Go Gators!), one daughter in high school (Go Rebels!), two wonderful grandsons and one granddaughter. They also have a Great Dane, a Lab mix, a Maltese, and three ornery cats. In his spare time, Brandon enjoys spending time with his family, exploring underwater caves and shipwrecks, watching college football (Go Gamecocks!) and other sports, playing music (trumpet, percussion, and guitar), flying, skydiving, traveling, and attempting to cook good BBQ.

Kevin M. Collver, Esq.

Kevin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego in 1991. He received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1994 from Ohio Northern University where he won, among others, the American Jurisprudence book awards for corporate taxation and partnership taxation. Kevin went on to obtain his Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida law school's Graduate Taxation Program in 1995.

Prior to joining Barnes, Walker, Goethe, Perron & Shea, PLLC, Kevin worked as a Wealth Strategist for more than 13 years with Raymond James Financial, Inc., at their headquarters, providing estate and gift taxation guidance to Raymond James' 8,000 financial advisors, working with their clients, and the clients' attorneys and accountants. Prior to that, Kevin worked in private practice focusing on tax law and estate planning. Kevin also has experience in the creation of business entities, drafting shareholder and operating agreements, preparing agreements for the purchase and sale of businesses, conducting 1031 Exchanges, handling real estate transactions, and litigation. Kevin was also a Tax Manager at Arthur Andersen's Miami office focusing on international taxation and estate taxation.

In his leisure time, Kevin is a general class ham operator (KJ4LXV call sign) and volunteers his time at local parks and water management districts.

Kevin joined Barnes Walker in 2020 and is a member of The Florida Bar, its Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, and the Manatee County Bar Association.

Kara J. Scott, Esq.

We are excited to announce that Kara J. Scott has joined Barnes Walker as a real estate attorney at our Sarasota office working side by side with our accomplished Partner, John Shea. Kara has been an attorney in Rhode Island and Connecticut since 1995, with extensive real estate experience in residential and commercial transactions and has been a member of The Florida Bar since 2006. In 2019, she moved to Celebration, Florida, practicing as a real estate attorney for a law firm there until Covid-19 arrived. Kara wished to be closer to her brother and his family in the West Coast area, so when the opportunity at Barnes Walker became available, she leapt at the chance.

Kara has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Classical Area Studies, cum laude, from Rhode Island College, and her Juris Doctorate degree from the New England School of Law. Before moving to Florida from Rhode Island (which, she confided, has been her dream for quite a few years), she was a Director, then President for three years of the Washington County Bar Association, Director and President of her local Chamber of Commerce, Director and Chair of the Frosty Drew Nature Center & Observatory, Director and Chair of the Southern Rhode Island Volunteers, and a member of the local zoning board.

Prior to departing New England, Kara was conducting over 450 real estate closings each year. In addition to her expansive real estate experience, Kara has practiced in the areas of wills, trusts, and estates law together with zoning and land use law.

John and the rest of us at Barnes Walker are extremely happy to have Kara on board. Though she is brilliant and a well versed attorney, she's really a mermaid at heart. Kara has great love for water sports, from sailing to paddle boarding to scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming. Kara is a workhorse, just like you, and believes that getting the job done right the first time is the best practice. She looks forward to meeting and providing you with the excellent service you deserve. Kara is a perfect match for us and you!

Sarah Escobar, Esq.

Sarah earned her Juris Doctorate degree from American University Washington College of Law, in Washington, D.C., graduating cum laude while she served on the Instructional Board of the ABA-sponsored Administrative Law Review, provided mentorship to first-generation law students, and worked as a student attorney to provide legal services to a local small business through the school's clinical program. She was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2021.

Sarah received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication, with a concentration in public relations, from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Prior to law school, she worked in fundraising and development and served on the board of a nonprofit community organization.

Sarah and her husband moved to Bradenton from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in 2021. They are avid sports fans and foodies and enjoy travelling and spending time with their family.

James C. Davis, Esq.

LITIGATION DEPARTMENT

Born:
New York.

Law:
Graduated from Florida A&M University, and was a Dean's List recipient.
Worked for the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Hillsborough County in Tampa, Florida during the day, and attended Law School at night in Orlando, Florida.
Admitted to both the United States Federal Court Middle District and Northern District of Florida.
Worked within 14-different fields of law.

College:
Graduated from Hofstra University with a major in Fine Arts.
Played on the school's division one football team from 1998 through 2002.
Atlantic 10 Football Champions in 2001.
College record holder for both 225-bench press reps, and pro-shuttle.
Only football player in school's 72-year history to never miss a practice.

Sports:
Played 1 season of Arena Football League for the New York Dragons, and 3 seasons of Arena Football League's minor league for both the Hawaiian Islanders, and the Wilke-Barre/Scranton Pioneers.

Coaching Experience:
Coached Varsity Football for Middletown High School as Offensive Line Coach, and Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Volunteer Experience:
Bay Area Legal Services; Domestic Violence and Family Shelters; Wills for Heroes; and several organizations for children.

Brooks Fusselman, Esq.

Brooks received his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in International Affairs, and Political Science from Florida State University in 2013. He received his Juris Doctorate degree in 2017 from Stetson University College of Law.

Prior to joining Barnes, Walker, Goethe, Perron & Shea, PLLC, Brooks practiced law in the areas of premise liability, medical malpractice, product liability, construction defect, and first-party property insurance.

During his time in college, Brooks worked as a tutor for student-athletes at FSU, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of the Big Bend. Prior to college, Brooks was recognized by Orlando Home & Leisure Magazine for outstanding service and commitment for his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando. Before & during college, Brooks also volunteered with Hbitat para la Humanidad Guatemala.

Brooks is proficient in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Brooks is a passionate fan of the Orlando Magic, Orlando City SC, Tampa Bay Lightning, Miami Dolphins, and Florida State Seminoles. In his leisure time, Brooks runs, attends sporting events, visits state & national parks, and volunteers his time with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.

Brooks joined Barnes Walker in 2022 and is a member of The Florida Bar, its Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, and the Manatee County Bar Association.