Rick Dantzler

Bio Overview:

A third generation Floridian, Dantzler is best known as a long-serving member of the State Senate and House of Representatives. He resigned in January 1998 to campaign for the office of Governor of Florida, ultimately becoming the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor that same year.

During his time in office, he specialized in environmental, land use and agricultural issues. After leaving the Legislature he continued this focus, representing many of the largest landowners in Florida on a wide variety of land-oriented matters.

As head of a task force formed to save Cypress Gardens from development, Dantzler was instrumental in facilitating the 2004 reopening of the park. As a senator, he played a major role in ending the litigation that had paralyzed efforts to clean and restore the Florida Everglades, at the time the largest environmental public works project of its kind in history.

Rick also led the working group whose efforts resulted in the passage of Florida’s landmark Bert Harris Private Property Rights Act, recognized by many as the most responsible law of its kind in the nation. He has also been a licensed Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator in Circuit Court, Civil and Family Law, for more than 20 years.

An excellent golfer and avid outdoorsman, Rick especially enjoys fly fishing and hunting. He has also written three books, countless newspaper guest columns and many magazine features in major publications.

Rick is married to Julie Pope, also of Winter Haven. They have two daughters.

Education: University of Florida, B.A. (1978) University of Florida, J.D. (1981) Admitted to Practice: Florida U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida Publications: “Law Matters” (2006) “Under the Panther Moon” (2002) “Florida vs.Georgia, A Sportsman’s Perspective” (2008) “Wild No More”, Florida Wildlife magazine (January-February 2008) “Brotherhood of Fishing”, Fly Fisherman magazine (June-July 2011) Professional and Community Involvement Florida Bar Association (1983-present) Florida Blue Key (1978) Board of Directors, Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Florida Sports Hall of Fame (2006-present); President (2007-present) Board of Trustees, Webber International University (2008-2011) Winter Haven High School Junior Varsity football coach (2004-present); Certified high school coach Chairman, Greater Winter Haven Area Chamber of Commerce Task Force on the Future of Cypress Gardens (2003-2004) Chairman, Lake Hancock Restoration Task Force (2000-2002) Former board member, Green Horizon Land Trust Former board member, Theatre Winter Haven Practice Areas: Land and Water Use Litigation Sports Law General Commercial Litigation