The Power to Negotiate Your Best Deal
We can show you how to get the most out of your government taking case.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help property owners, tenants, and business navigate the eminent domain process, and obtain best possible results.
We love helping people take control of their eminent domain case.
There is nothing sweeter than a client saying we achieved their objectives, made life better, and solved their eminent domain problem. It is the reason we get up and go to work everyday, and work tirelessly to deliver the best possible advice and service to our clients.
Level the playing field.
The government has lawyers, engineers, appraisers, and other consultants working for them. They do not work for you they are not there to protect you. They will not show you the flaws in their appraisal or with their roadway design. They will not show you how to assemble a team of experts, prepare a counter appraisal or counter design. And they certainly will not show you how to obtain your best possible settlement or jury verdict.
But we will.
Our Team
Seasoned Pros, Working for You
Joseph D. Ort
Attorney
Joe has negotiated, structured and closed hundreds of complex real estate transactions, leases, and projects. He has also successfully resolved hundreds of real estate related disputes and litigation actions.
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Joseph D. Ort
Attorney
Joe counsels clients through real estate related transactions and litigation matters. He has significant experience in sales and acquisitions, title, eminent domain, leasing, financing, joint ventures, restructuring and workouts, and litigation.
Joe is board certified in real estate by the Florida Bar. Less than 1% of Florida attorneys have achieved board certification in real estate. Joe has an AV rating from Martindale Hubble, the highest rating given to attorneys. He was selected for inclusion to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and Florida Superlawyers, a distinction achieved by less than 3% of Florida attorneys.
Joe is dedicated to building a top-notch real estate firm providing extremely effective and efficient advice and counsel.
Education
University of Florida, College of Business
– BA in Business Administration
Florida State University, College of Law
– JD, summa cum laude
– Trial Team
– Recipient, Judge John M. & Sally D. M. Kest Book Award in Professional Responsibility
– Recipient, Mary Jo Peed and Kevin Wood Book Award in Real Estate Finance
Practice Areas
– Acquisition & Disposition
– Financing
– Litigation
– Eviction
– Leasing
– Management
– Loan Workout
– Eminent Domain
D. Bradley Hester
Attorney
Brad has extensive experience in both commercial and residential real estate, as well as in the agri-business and financial services industries, with an emphasis on commercial real estate transactions, development and commercial lending.
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D. Bradley Hester
Attorney
Brad has extensive experience in both commercial and residential real estate, as well as in the agri-business and financial services industries, with an emphasis on commercial real estate transactions, eminent domain, development and commercial lending. Prior to attending law school, Brad obtained a BA in architectural design (1987) and an MBA (1990) from the University of Florida and, thereafter, was active in the Florida agriculture industry, managing a large family-owned dairy farm in his home town of Okeechobee, Florida, so he has a wide breadth of knowledge in many diverse areas.
Brad’s typical clients include buyers and sellers of commercial and residential properties, lenders and borrowers as to commercial real estate loans and agri-business loans, commercial and residential developers of planned unit development projects, shopping centers and office buildings, landlords and tenants in the negotiation and drafting of commercial leases, and property owners in eminent domain actions.
Brad remains involved in the Florida agriculture industry through his involvement in the Wedgworth Leadership Institute (Advisory Council Member; WLI Alumni Association Member/Class II).
Education
University of Florida
– BA – Architectural Design (1987)
University of Florida
– MBA (1990)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, College of Law
– JD (2000)
Practice Areas
– Commercial and residential real estate transactions
– Commercial lending and loan closings
– Commercial leasing
– Title insurance
– Agri-business and agricultural finance– Land Use
– Eminent Domain
– Land Use
Traci Ort
Administrator
Traci provides administrative and accounting support to the firm and its clients. She is a graduate of Florida State University and is experienced managing financial matters and escrow accounts.
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Traci Ort
Administrator
Traci handles accounting and administrative matters for our firm. She has significant experience handling escrow and financial matters. She is responsible for ensuring the monetary components of our client’s transactions are handled properly.
Traci was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She was a competitive gymnast on one of the highest ranked teams in Georgia. Traci then attended and received a bachelor’s degree from The Florida State University.
In addition to her work with our firm, Traci is an aerialist, stuntwoman, and acrobat. She has worked with Disney, Universal Studios, Cirque du Soleil and has appeared in several movies.
Education
Florida State University
Rebecca Hanson
Rebecca has over 20 plus years’ experience as a Paralegal. She initially started her career in public service working for the Executive Office of Governor Bush in Florida.
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Rebecca Hanson
Paralegal
Rebecca has over 17 years’ experience as a Paralegal. She initially started her career in public service working for the Executive Office of Governor Bush in Florida. Thereafter she transitioned to the private sector working for several large national law firms. Currently Rebecca is dedicated solely to the practice of eminent domain within the firm. Rebecca is passionate about helping private land and business owners through the process of property acquisition and condemnation.
Rebecca graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and minor in Sociology. She is a native Floridian, having been born and raised in Tallahassee and is currently a resident of Winter Garden, Florida. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family at Disney.
Education
Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
– B.S. in Political Science
Practice Areas
– Eminent Domain
– Litigation
Lauren Britt
Paralegal
Lauren has 18 years experience working on real estate matters. As a Paralegal with our firm, she plays a critical role in ensuring transaction, eminent domain, and litigation matters progress smoothly from inception to close. She also a member of the Orange County Civilian Police Academy.
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Tracy Taylor
Paralegal
Tracy is a paralegal with over 17 years of experience. She is responsible for ensuring transactions close smoothly and properly. She interfaces with transactional parties daily, to move projects efficiently from A to Z.
Tracy’s goal is to make your experience with The Ort Law Firm as positive as possible.
Practice Areas:
– Real Estate Transactions
– Land Use
– Eminent Domain
You’re in Control
At Ort Law Firm, our goal is to put you in total control of the eminent domain process. This means giving you the information, resources and strategy you need to stand toe to toe with the government. It means assembling a team around you engineers, appraisers, planners, and attorneys with the sole goal to protect and advance your interests.
You are in control. While our job is to do the work, key decisions such as whether to accept a settlement or take the case before a jury will always belong to you. We will give you our best recommendations and advice, and we will advocate fiercely on your behalf. Ultimately we know it is your property, your home or business, and therefore control will always rest in your hands.
No Cost to You
No one asks the government to take their property. Florida law provides benefits to those in a taking. The government is required to pay for an attorney and team of experts of your choice, at no cost to you.
Attorneys are paid based on the benefits achieved for their client. The better we you do, the better you do. And unlike a typical personal injury case, fees and costs in an eminent domain case do not come out of your compensation:
Find out how our team can obtain benefits for you.
Real Estate matters carry high stakes. We bring an experienced team of real estate attorneys and advisors to your corner to help you get it done right, when it counts the most.