Practice Areas:
Civil Litigation, Real Property Litigation, Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate, Business Litigation, Contract Litigation, Construction Litigation, Probate and Estate Litigation, Contested Wills, and Mortgage Law.
Admitted:
Florida, 1985
Education:
Florida State University
Mercer University, J.D., cum laude
Member:
The Florida Bar
Attorneys’ Title Fund Services, LLC
Old Republic National Title Insurance Company
10th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Biography:
Benjamin W. Hardin, Jr. was born on July 4, 1959 at Ft. Benning in Columbus, Georgia. Shortly thereafter, his family returned to Lakeland, Florida, where Mr. Hardin’s father was born and raised. Mr. Hardin graduated from Lakeland High School in 1977, Florida State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance, and graduated from Mercer University Law School in 1985 with a Juris Doctorate degree, cum laude.
Upon returning to Polk County in 1985, Mr. Hardin became an Assistant State Attorney in Bartow, Florida until late 1989. At the State Attorney’s office, Mr. Hardin worked in the Misdemeanor Division, Felony Division, and Special Prosecution Division, successfully trying hundreds of trials. Upon leaving the State Attorney’s office, Mr. Hardin worked with the late James S. Welch, practicing in areas of real estate, probate, business law and civil litigation. In 1994, Mr. Hardin formed his own firm in Lakeland, Florida. Mr. Hardin has handled hundreds of real estate transactions — including residential closings, commercial closings, and the sale and purchase of businesses. He has handled hundreds of mortgage foreclosures, both residential and commercial. Mr. Hardin has litigated hundreds of civil trial matters involving real estate, contracts, business disputes, commercial transactions, construction law, contested probate and estate matters, trusts, and guardianships.
Mr. Hardin has served on the 10th Judicial Circuit Attorney Grievance Committee and on the Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee, including serving as chair on each committee. Mr. Hardin currently serves on the 10th Judicial Nominating Commission, and has served as chair. Mr. Hardin was appointed to two terms on the Judicial Nominating Commission by Governor Rick Scott, and to a third term by Governor Ron DeSantis.
