Dan Armstrong is an attorney in Ponte Vedra Beach.
WHAT’S HIS BACKGROUND?
Armstrong, who graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing, worked in the health care industry for many years. His last business venture was purchasing a subsidiary of Whitestone, a manufacturer of medical products, which he operated in New Jersey. “We turned the business around and were the major supplier to the largest hospital distributor in the world.”
A NEW LEAF
Armstrong then decided to return to school to get a law degree. “I had thought about law school in my 20s,” said Armstrong, “and I decided to go back in my 40s. I wanted to start over and find some new challenges.” He was one of the first graduates of Florida Coastal School of Law.
WHAT TYPE OF LAW DOES HE PRACTICE?
Armstrong specializes in elder care and corporate law. “I do long term health care planning, help people preserve their assets, show people how to maximize programs they’re entitled to and work on income maintenance. In some ways I have come full circle, because when I was first out of college I started working for the health care industry, and now I’m doing that again.”
A LITTLE HELP
Armstrong’s business background has helped him in his practice. “I’ve been in a position of looking at financing and managing companies and staff, so my legal experience is colored with that practical standpoint.” It also helps him run his own firm. “I’ve had several decades of successful business experience. If I hadn’t run a business and hadn’t had the experience of meeting payroll, it could be kind of scary.”
HIS ROOTS
Armstrong was born in Oklahoma, raised in Seattle and spent most of his adult life in Texas. He has also lived in New Jersey.
FAMILY LIFE
Armstrong is married to Patricia, a registered nurse. He has two stepchildren who live in Denver and two grandchildren, Darby and Avery. “We really like to travel to see our grandkids.”
BEING A MEDIATOR
Armstrong got involved in the County Court Mediation Program while in law school and is certified by the Florida Supreme Court to act as a mediator. “We make an attempt to unclog the dockets more judiciously and efficiently. He continues to volunteer on a regular basis. “It’s been an interesting experience.” At the recent Mediation Appreciation Day, Armstrong gave a lecture on asset protection and landlord/tenant issues.
OTHER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
A member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Armstrong and fellow attorney Rick Fairweather spend a couple of days a year at Cypress Village, a retirement community, to help people there get their legal issues, such as living wills, in order.
MEET THE FIRM
Armstrong employs Terry Stucki, a certified paralegal who has “been a tremendous help. She has over 10 years corporate experience with insurance.” Mike Karambatos, who has done corporate work since graduating from law school in 1999, took the bar exam last week and will work as an associate. Kate McFadden, who graduates from FCSL this semester and will take the bar exam this summer, also works with Armstrong.
LIFE AT THE BEACH
The absence of a long commute allows him to “spend more time on other things I like. The area is compatible with the types of law I’m interested in. The beaches are growing and more and more people are becoming familiar with me and what I do.” Armstrong was drawn to Jacksonville not only because of FCSL, but also for the lifestyle. “Having traveled a lot, Florida was the most attractive to me. I wanted to move to a state where I could practice law and probably live for the rest of my life.”
— by Bailey White