by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
A mutual acquaintance has led to the creation of a new title services law firm on Hodges Boulevard, but it will move into friendly confines.
Both attorneys Lee Osborne and Howard Sheffield were friends of the late Christopher Hurst, who operated a law firm at 4776 Hodges Blvd. focused on real estate, probate and estate planning before passing late last year. A friend, Sheffield, helped run the office, as well as maintain his own firm Sheffield and Boatright.
“We weren’t losing money, but we weren’t making a lot,” said Sheffield. “We were going to have to make a decision on the future of firm and then Lee just fell out of the sky.”
Osborne and Sheffield have formed Osborne & Sheffield Title Services, LLC, but are still in the process of purchasing the property on Hodges Boulevard.
“We are currently renting the building and in the process of buying the equipment,” said Sheffield. “We are handling closings now, but that’s all until we have all the details taken care of. We want to make sure we do it correctly.”
Osborne, formerly of Watson and Osborne Title Service, has been practicing for 22 years and 20 of those years have been in the practice of real estate, probate and estate planning. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Florida.
“It was a real find to get someone with such a following like Lee has,” said Sheffield.
Osborne believes he has developed that following in the real estate industry through hard work and integrity.
“I do ‘Lunches with Lee,’” said Osborne. “Where I go out to clients’ offices with a bag lunch and teach them about the realtor forms and help keep them out of trouble. Some people don’t go out of the office, but it’s outside of the office that you develop relationships.”
The state of the housing industry doesn’t frighten the new partners.
“If you are a hard worker, do the job right and have integrity, there will always be business,” said Osborne. “Even in a down economy.”
Sheffield is cautiously optimistic about the market right now.
“One of the positive things going forward is that interest rates are lower now,” said Sheffield, “so hopefully that will encourage homebuyers and things will pick up.”
Sheffield plans to keep his Sheffield and Boatright P.A. and LLC open, with the P.A. office handling general law cases.
He also graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree and his law degrees in real estate and tax law from the University of Florida.
The firm has tentative plans for an open house in February.
356-2466