Attorney Bio

Joseph W. Fleece Of Counsel

Born:
St. Petersburg, Florida, June 20, 1932

Education:
University of Florida, B.S.B.A., 1953
Stetson University, J.D., 1967, replaced LL.B. conferred, 1956

Practice Areas:
Probate; Estate Planning; Estate and Trust; Administration

Membership:
St. Petersburg and American (Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Senior Lawyers Division) Bar Associations; The Florida Bar (Member, Executive Council, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, 1976-2008; Chairman, Trust Law Committee, 1984-1993).

Admissions:
1956, Florida; 1968, U.S. Supreme Court

With 52 years of legal experience, Joseph W. Fleece is a veteran in his practice areas of probate and estate planning and administration. A St. Petersburg native, Mr. Fleece has been serving clients in his hometown and throughout Florida since 1956. Prior to joining BaskinFleece, he was a partner at the St. Petersburg office of Holland & Knight LLP. Along with his wealth of experience in his practice areas, Mr. Fleece is Board Certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates by The Florida Bar of Legal Specialization and Education.

In the St. Petersburg area Mr. Fleece is a long-time member of numerous business and civic organizations as well as St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church where he served as former Vestryman and Chancellor. Mr. Fleece’s memberships have included Rotary Club of St. Petersburg and Suncoasters. For nearly a decade he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Centerbanc Savings Assn, formerly St. Petersburg Savings & Loan Assn. He is a 50-year member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, and past commodore.

Mr. Fleece has also served as President of the St. Petersburg University of Florida Alumni Club and has been involved in other University of Florida organizations, including the Gator Booster, Scholarship Club and the University of Florida Foundation Advisory Council. Mr. Fleece served as Trustee and Chairman of All Children’s Hospital from 1967-1976 and as Trustee and Chairman of All Children’s Hospital Systems, 1993 - 2004. In 2003 he was recipient of the William S. Belcher award for service to hospital. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Suncoast Estate Planning Council.