Syprett Meshad

09/19/2025

Our firm is saddened to share that Partner Jim D. Syprett passed on September 13, 2025. In 1968, together with John Meshad, he established our firm under its original name: Syprett & Meshad.

In memory and celebration of his extraordinary contributions to our firm and our community, we share these excerpts from his obituary in the Sarasota Herald Tribune:

Born in Clarksville, Tennessee, Jim spent summers with friends and family on the Cumberland River where he discovered his lifelong passion for the water. He graduated from Vanderbilt University, and after obtaining his law degree from the University of Florida in 1965, he moved to Sarasota.

He began his illustrious legal career with the Law Offices of Dick Lee. He was a natural in the Courtroom – a charming southern accent, a gifted and prolific storyteller, and an unequaled command of the law and the details of his case – all which made him a formidable, but respected foe.

A “lawyer’s lawyer,” Jim’s work ethic was legendary. His integrity, dedication and warm nature earned him the respect of all who worked with him. His colleagues and clients loved him, his opponents revered him, and the judges admired him. He also served as a mentor to many young lawyers throughout the Bar and was a most trusted and reliable colleague to the lawyers in his firm. In 2023, the Senior Counsel of Sarasota County presented Jim with the Esteemed Colleague Award.

He was a longtime advocate for the Family Counseling Center and the Cancer Support Community and served on the Board of the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation for over ten years–elected as its president for three terms. He was most proud of his part in planning the new state-of-the art Jellison Cancer Institute.

Jim’s greatest passion, however, was his family. He was a most loving husband to Charlie Ann Syprett, devoted father of two treasured sons Troy D. Syprett and Todd D. Syprett, and an adoring grandfather to four beautiful grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim’s memory to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, 1515 S. Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239 or https://smhf.org/

09/16/2025

Immediate opening Available- Real Estate Paralegal/Closer,
3-5 years experiences preferred. If you are interested, please call our firm.

08/29/2025

We wish you a safe, fun, and Happy Labor Day weekend!

05/21/2025

We're thrilled to share that Jillian Polk has joined our firm as an Associate Attorney, practicing civil litigation with a focus in family law matters. She brings practical legal experience from her internship with the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit and her summer clerkship with the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court.

Ms. Polk earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law, where she was a Legal Writing Fellow, the Managing Editor of the Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy, and an executive board member of the Moot Court Board. She is a member of The Florida Bar and the Young Lawyers Division of the Sarasota County Bar Association.

She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Commercial Voice, with a minor in Sociology, magna cm laude, from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. At Belmont, Ms. Polk was a flagship member of the School of Music’s gospel and R&B ensemble, Voxology, a student orientation team leader, and a Dean’s List recipient for all semesters. She worked in Nashville’s music industry before pursuing her career in law.

A Sarasota native, Ms. Polk is a graduate of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School and is proud to serve the Sarasota community.

Outside of work, she enjoys fishing with her dad, beach walks with her mom, spin classes, running the Ringling Bridge, attending live music events, and section-hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Welcome to the Syprett Meshad family, Jillian!

01/21/2025

Thanks to SRQ Magazine for sharing our news! Syprett Meshad Managing Principal Nancy Cason has been reappointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to a fourth consecutive term serving on the Twelfth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.

Read more: https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-daily/2025-01-20/25864_Sarasota-Attorney-Nancy-Cason-Re-Appointed-for-Fourth-Consecutive-Term-on-Judicial-Nominating-Commission

12/31/2024

Here's to 2025! Wishing the very best for all our clients, colleagues, friends, and community!

12/19/2024

12/16/2024

We're thrilled to share that Forest Sutton has joined Syprett Meshad as an Associate Attorney providing counsel for Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury, and Criminal Defense cases.

“We’re delighted Forest is joining our team,” said Syprett Meshad Managing Partner Scott Westheimer. “He is focusing on the areas of Criminal Defense, Commercial Litigation, and Personal Injury, and brings a range of prosecutorial experience to his new role that will provide significant advantages to clients.”

Prior to joining our firm, Mr. Sutton served as an Assistant State Attorney for the State Attorney’s Office in the 12th Judicial Circuit where he prosecuted a wide range of crimes from misdemeanors to first-degree felony cases, and was involved in dozens of jury and bench trials.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Sutton earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida in 2016. While attending UCF, Mr. Sutton was an active member of Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law society and competed as captain of UCF’s running program.

He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 2020. While attending Stetson, he competed as a member of the school’s advocacy teams, and received the Dean’s Award of Excellence for his leadership initiatives on campus. He was also inducted into the Order of Barristers – a highly selective national recognition for those who demonstrate outstanding ability in advocacy.

During his law school career, Mr. Sutton broadened his legal background by working for Marriott International’s in-house legal department and learned both criminal and civil procedure while interning for judges in both the Sixth Judicial Circuit and Tenth Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Sutton is a member of The Florida Bar and is a Director for the Young Lawyers Division of the Sarasota County Bar Association, where he guides the group’s community engagement and membership outreach. He volunteers with his alma mater as an advocacy skills trainer, liaison between the Black Law Student Association and the University, and as a guest speaker for various events and organizations within the school.

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Sutton to our firm!

Stetson Law Center for Excellence in Advocacy

10/24/2024

Did you know that Syprett Meshad Attorney John Dumbaugh is fluent in German, loves sailing and singing, has volunteered for decades in Sarasota for organizations like Habitat for Humanity and many others, and that he has five grandchildren?

Learn more about our Board Certified in Real Estate partner by reading Managing Partner Scott Westheimer's article (published in The Docket -- the official magazine of the Sarasota County Bar Association). In it, Scott shares highlights of John’s professional career as well as insights into his personal life history. He wrote this article after presiding over The Florida Bar convention luncheon honoring those lawyers that have been licensed to practice law in Florida for 50 years. “It was extremely special to have one of my very own partners, John Dumbaugh, be recognized at this year’s luncheon,” said Scott.

Today -- October 24 -- is the anniversary of John's 50 years as a member of The Florida Bar! Congrats, John!

Read Scott's article: https://www.smrl.com/dumbaugh-sarasota-real-estate-lawyer/

The article also appears in the current issue of The Docket -- the official magazine of the Sarasota County Bar Association and can be read here at page 38:https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.sarasotabar.com/resource/resmgr/docket_pdfs/TheDocket_Oct2024_final_pdf.pdf

07/18/2024

We're thrilled for Syprett Meshad Managing Principal Scott Westheimer who has been honored with the Tradition of Excellence Award from The Florida Bar's Solo & Small Firm Section.

This prestigious award was made in recognition of Scott's exceptional contributions to practice management, and is presented annually to an individual whose efforts throughout the year have significantly benefited The Florida Bar and solo and small firm practitioners.

Congrats, Scott!

Read more: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/scott-westheimer-receives-solo-small-firm-sections-tradition-of-excellence-award/

07/16/2024

Congrats to our Syprett Meshad partner and board-certified real estate attorney John D. Dumbaugh who was recently recognized by The Florida Bar for 50 years of continuous membership.

Thanks to SRQ Magazine for sharing this news: https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-daily/2024-07-15/24608_Sarasota-Attorney-John-Dumbaugh-Honored-for-50-Years-with-The-Florida-Bar

During a special luncheon held Friday, June 21, in Orlando, Florida, Mr. Dumbaugh and other 50-year members from across the state of Florida gathered to celebrate being active members of The Florida Bar since 1974.

A great day of celebration!