About Jesse
Jesse grew up in Winter Haven and has practiced law in Polk County since 1982. From 1982 until 1994, Jesse practiced with his father J. Julian Bennett, doing criminal defense, family law, and general civil trial work.
Since 1993, Jesse has limited my practice to marital and family law. During his four decades of practice, he has represented over 2,000 family law cases for individuals from virtually every walk of life – from school teachers to CEOs.
Education
- Polk Community College, 1976 – 1977, AA Degree
- Florida State University, 1978 – 1979, BS Criminology
- Stetson University College of Law, 1979 – 1981, Juris Doctor Degree
Employment
- Bennett & Bennett , P.A., 1982 – 1994
- Hall & Bennett, 1994 – 2008
- Hall, Bennett & Shelton, 2008 to 2023
- Jesse J. Bennett, Jr., P.A. 2023 to present
Professional Achievements
- Admitted to the Florida Bar, 1982
- Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Marital and Family Law 1993 – 2023
- Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 1998 – 2023, President 2006
- Member, Florida Bar Family Law Section since 1984
- Certified Family Law Mediator, 1991 – 2001
- Winter Haven Bar Association, President 1987 – 1988
- Member, Tenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee-Vice Chair, 1996, Chair, 1997
- Member, Tenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee-Vice Chair, 1996, Chair, 1997
- Family Law Section Commentator Staff, 1995 – 1996
- Polk County Family Lawyer’s Association, President, 1996 – 1997
- Co-Chairman, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Florida Chapter 24th Annual Institute, A Symposium, May 2002
- Chair of Tenth Judicial Circuit Ad Hoc Committee concerning Administrative Orders in Family Law
Publications
- The Florida Bar Journal December, 1994, Mize: Florida’s Disenchanted Response to the Relocation Dilemma
- The Florida Bar Journal October, 1999, Bridge the Gap Alimony: An Emerging Vehicle for Satisfying Short Term Need
- The Florida Bar Journal May, 2000, Strategic Management of the Family Practice