Mr. DeVilbiss has been a resident of Sarasota since 1957 and a member of the Florida Bar since 1973, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a major in marketing, from the University of Florida in 1968. Mr. DeVilbiss received his Juris Doctor degree in 1973 from the University of Florida College of Law.

He began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in 1973, followed by private practice as an associate at a local firm. In 1978, Mr. DeVilbiss founded the law firm of DeVilbiss and Vorbeck, which expanded to become Adams, DeVilbiss, Vorbeck and Wood. His practice included many areas of law including personal injury and wrongful death, criminal law, family law, commercial law, juvenile law, general civil law, appellate practice, contract law, corporate and business law and workers’ compensation. His courtroom experience includes over 5,000 court hearings and trials.

In 1990, Mr. DeVilbiss was elected to serve as a Sarasota County Judge, a position he held for twelve years. As a Judge, he presided over more than 72,000 court cases including more than 1,100 hours as an Acting Circuit Court Judge. He was named Judge of the Year in 1992 by the local chapter of the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency, and served as a member of the Criminal Rules and Sentencing Committees of the Florida Conference of County Court Judges.

Mr. DeVilbiss joined NELSON HESSE, LLP in January 2003. His practice emphasizes general civil litigation. In addition, he is a certified circuit court mediator and leads the firm’s mediation/arbitration team. He is available for voluntary trial resolution (private judging) and as a special master.

Mr. DeVilbiss is admitted to the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He serves as a Master at the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court and is a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association.

In addition, Mr. DeVilbiss has been active in the community as a volunteer at the Sarasota Ringling Redskins Youth Football Program, Sarasota Little League Baseball, Sarasota Coalition for the Homeless and was a founding member/director of Friends of Unity in the Community, a local racial unity organization.

Mr. DeVilbiss currently serves as of counsel to the firm.

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