Overview
James "Jim" Ballerano represents business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, retirees and families in their estate planning and wealth preservation matters. He works with clients to accomplish the preservation and efficient transfer of their wealth, including advising and assisting clients in estate planning and the administration of estates and trusts.
Jim also advises individuals and entities, including family offices, in the acquisition, management, improvement, financing and disposition of real estate holdings. In relation to these matters, he assists clients with strategies to address their needs and to resolve any issues that may arise.
Jim is actively involved in leadership positions in the community and his church. Currently, he is the Hospitaller and Knight of Grace of the American Priory, Florida Commandery, Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, Malta, and Vice President of Field Events of the Rod & Gun Club of Florida. He serves on the professional advisory committees of the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties and the George Snow Scholarship Fund. He also recently served as Director Emeritus and Past President of the Greater Boca Raton Estate Planning Council; an Executive Board Member and President of the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum; and as a member of the professional advisory committees of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, the Anti-Defamation League, the United States Holocaust Museum and the Boca Raton Museum of Art.
He is an active steward at St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church, and a member of The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Inc.
Education and Credentials
Education
- University of Miami School of Law, J.D., cum laude
- Stony Brook University, B.A.
Admissions
- State of New York
- State of Florida
Affiliations
- Greater Boca Raton Estate Planning Council, Past President and Director Emeritus
- Accredited Estate Planner (AEP)
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Recognized by the Daily Business Review with a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of their Florida Legal Awards program, which recognizes professionals for having a significant impact on the practice of law in Florida over a notable legal career, 2024
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Trusts and Estates, 2023-2025
Selected to the Top Lawyers list in the Wills category by the Boca Raton Observer (A&A Publishing Corp) and DataJoe, 2022-2023
Community Involvement
Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Philanthropic Advisory Council
South Palm Beach County Estate and Tax Roundtable
Delray Beach Estate and Tax Roundtable
Boca Raton Historical Society, Board of Directors, Executive Board Member and Immediate Past President
Hospitaller and Knight of the American Priory, Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, Malta
Boca Raton Museum of Art, Professional Advisory Committee
Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Professional Advisor Network
George Snow Scholarship Fund, Professional Advisory Committee
Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Professional Advisory Committee
Anti-Defamation League, Professional Advisory Committee
United States Holocaust Museum, Professional Advisory Committee
St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church, Liturgical Choir, former Parish Council President
Rod & Gun Club of Florida, Field Events Chairman
The Schmidt Family Center for the Arts, former Vice Chair, Board of Directors
Boca Raton Symphonia, former Member, Board of Directors
Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, Chairman’s Circle
In The Media
Media Mention
- Lifetime Achievement: James A. Ballerano Jr., Daily Business Review, March 1, 2024
- Top Lawyers in 2023, Boca Raton Observer, August 30, 2023
- Top Lawyer 2022; Boca Raton Observer, Boca Raton Observer, September 2022
- Society Scene: Festival of the Arts, Sun Sentinel, March 3, 2016