Wisdom. Familiarity. Insight.

Jeff concentrates his practice on business law, estate planning, and matters involving local government and land use.

A lifelong resident of Northwest Florida and a former Circuit Court Judge, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Florida in 2003, then went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law in 2007. Most recently, he obtained an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2023.

After completing his J.D. at Florida State, Jeff joined Anchors Smith Grimsley—one of the oldest law firms in the Florida Panhandle—where he ultimately became a partner. During his time there, he counseled small businesses, financial institutions, governmental bodies, and individuals. He then stepped away from private practice to serve as a Circuit Court Judge, presiding over hundreds of business, land use, and real estate cases. This judicial experience gave him a clear view of potential legal pitfalls that can often be prevented with proactive counsel.

In 2021, Jeff founded Burns Firm with the goal of delivering focused proactive legal counsel to his clients. Drawing on his extensive involvement in thousands of lawsuits—both as a commercial litigator and a former Circuit Court Judge—Jeff provides clients with a unique perspective few attorneys can match. He also leverages his LL.M. in Taxation to address both the legal and tax implications that can arise from business and personal decisions.

Beyond his practice, Jeff is dedicated to advancing the legal profession. He has served on the Florida Supreme Court’s Jury Instructions Committee for Business Cases, contributed to the Editorial Board of the Florida Bar Journal, and received recognition from Northwest Florida Legal Aid for his pro bono work. Through strategic counsel and a forward-thinking approach, Jeff strives to help clients anticipate risks, resolve disputes, and safeguard their futures.