Robert L. Donald has been recognized since 1994 as being qualified in appellate practice under the Florida Bar's Certification Plan.

Our Legal Practice

Personal Information

Born in Fort Myers on July 17, 1949; graduated from Charlotte High School (Punta Gorda) in 1967; resident of Fort Myers, married to Cecelia C. Donald (1980 to present), two children.

Legal Experience

Research aide to Hon. John M. Scheb, Second District Court of Appeal, 1977-1979;

Appellate litigation partner, Pavese, Garner, Haverfield, Dalton, Harrison & Jensen, 1979-1990.

Appellate department, Haas, Boehm, Brown, Rigdon & Seacrest, 1990-1992.

Sole practitioner in Fort Myers, 1992-2005.

Partner, Sherman & Donald, Fort Myers, 2006-2009.  

Sole pracitioner in Fort Myers, 2009-present

Reported decisions in all five Florida district courts of appeal, the Supreme Court of Florida, and the U.S. Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Articles Written

“Retroactive Application of Rezoning Ordinances,” Florida Bar Journal (June 1983);

“Parking for Residents Only,” Florida Bar Journal (July 1984);

Ch. 9, Fla. Appellate Practice, Fla. Bar (2d ed. 1986 & 1988; 3d ed. 1993 &1995, 4th ed. 1998, and 5th ed. 2003);

“Oral Argument for Rookies,” Res Gestae (Jan. 2008).

Court Admissions

The Florida Bar, 1976 to present;

the United States District Courts for the Middle & Southern Districts of Florida;

the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit:

the United States Court of Military Appeals;

the United States Supreme Court.

Community Activities

Executive Board, WSFP Public Radio & Television, 1985 to 1993;

Executive Board, Southwest Florida Autism Society, 1995-99;

Member, Thomas Wolfe Society, 1980-present.

Education

B.A. with honors from the University of Florida in 1972;

J.D. with honors from FSU College of Law in 1976.

Bar Committees and Activities

The Appellate Court Rules Committee of the Florida Bar, 1984-2001 (chair, Probate Subcommittee 1996-99);

The Appellate Certification Committee of the Florida Bar, 2003-2006;

Second District Senior Judge Review Board (2005-2008);

Appellate Practice Section of Fla. Bar (charter member);

Lee County Bar Association (Chair, Library Committee);

Master, Calusa Inn of Court;

Board of Trustees of the Lee County Law Library, 1985-1996,2004-present (chair 2004-present).

Martindale-Hubbell Rating

A/V rating by the Martindale-Hubbell rating organization, which is the highest rating awarded and signifies “very high to preeminent” for legal ability and “very high” for ethical considerations.

The Appellate Process

There are five state appellate districts in Florida, and the Supreme Court of Florida has discretionary jurisdiction to review the decisions of these intermediate courts. All federal appeals emanating from Florida go to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.

Computer Information

Certified Westlaw resource person, 1980 to present. Legal documents produced on WordPerfect OX5. Legal research conducted on WestLawNext.