GERALD L. HEMNESS, JR., ESQUIRE

Gerald L. Hemness, Jr., Esq. earned his B.A. in Communications from the University of Kentucky in 1990. He earned his J.D. cum laude from Stetson University College of Law in 1995 and was admitted to practice in the State of Florida in 1995.
Gerald has a background in law enforcement both before he received his law degree, serving as a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio, and after, spending six years as an Assistant State Attorney for the 13th Circuit/Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.

Gerald has been a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, as well as, the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys and is an active participant in the guardianship community.

Gerald founded “The Center for Guardian Advocacy”, a non-profit providing income sensitive guardian advocacy for those with developmental disabilities.

Gerald has served the elder law community as chair of both the Litigation Committee and the Abuse and Exploitation Committee of the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section.

Gerald has also served on the Board of Directors of the Florida State Guardianship Association at both the organization’s statewide level and for the local Hillsborough County.

In 2011 Gerald received the Hillsborough County Excellence in Action Award.

Gerald regularly lectures on Exploitation and Guardianship in various settings, including Continuing Legal Education for members of The Florida Bar and Attorney General CE for Law Enforcement. He has also authored articles on the subject for The Elder Law Advocate, published by the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar.