John Russell Hargrove - Boca Raton, FL

Overview

John R. Hargrove represents both individual and corporate clients in complex disputes. He devotes a substantial amount of his practice to media law, appeals and commercial litigation. He appears routinely as an advocate in state and federal courts throughout Florida.

Best Lawyers in America recognizes John Hargrove in four categories – Appellate Law, Commercial Litigation, First Amendment Law, and Trusts and Estates. For the 2015 edition of Best Lawyers, he was named "First Amendment Lawyer of the Year" in south Florida. He is board certified in appellate law by the Florida Bar and represents both individual and corporate clients in complex disputes. Mr. Hargrove routinely appears as counsel of record in state and federal trial and appellate courts, including Florida’s five intermediary appellate courts, the Florida Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He has achieved national prominence as a First Amendment lawyer and as an advocate for the elderly regarding the sale of unsuitable annuities to seniors. He also represented the Estate of Doctor Sam Sheppard — which inspired “The Fugitive” — regarding cutting-edge DNA litigation.Florida Super Lawyers has listed Mr. Hargrove among Florida’s best since that publication’s inception. He is a Fellow in the Florida Academy of Trust and Probate Litigation, and carries a Martindale-Hubbell professional rating of “AV”.

Mr. Hargrove is actively involved in charitable endeavors, as well. He served three terms as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2014, he was named Chairman Emeritus of Butler's Board of Trustees- the first time in history of the University that the designation has been given. He is also past Board Chair of the United Way of Broward County, where he served as general counsel and now is currently director emeritus. Mr. Hargrove has been recognized by the Urban League of Fort Lauderdale for his philanthropy. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he attended Culver Military Academy, where he was a member of the famed Black Horse Troop. He received his undergraduate degree from Butler University and his law degree from the Indiana University School of Law where he graduated magna cum laude. He was voted by the faculty as the most outstanding member of the graduating class of 1972. While in law school he was an editor of the Indiana Law Review. After graduation from law school, Mr. Hargrove spent two years as law clerk to the Honorable Roy L. Stephenson, Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Mr. Hargrove also holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School, where he trained in negotiation, mediation and persuasion skills under several of the world’s most highly regarded professors in those fields. He is also an invited lecturer at Harvard's Kennedy School and at George Washington University's Graduate School of Professional Studies.

He has practiced in Florida since 1974.