Doug Burnett is the owner and founder of St. Johns Law Group. Serving as Managing Partner, Mr. Burnett manages the day-to-day operations of the firm and is available to all clients as a resource to support the other attorneys in the firm. Mr. Burnett balances those responsibilities while maintaining an active commercial litigation and real estate development law practice.

PRACTICE AREAS

Commercial litigation involving contracts, property, construction, business disputes and complex commercial cases, and splitting his time with land use, zoning and real estate development. Mr. Burnett also practices local government law, including serving as general counsel for the St. Augustine St. Johns County Airport Authority. Mr. Burnett’s practice includes real estate development, real property and construction litigation, land use planning, comprehensive planning and concurrency, development agreements, financing and transactional matters. Mr. Burnett has represented all participants in the real estate development industry including landowners, developers, builders, both local and national, contractors, lenders and brokers. His experience includes management of sensitive and controversial applications for development approval before planning and zoning agencies, County Commissions and City Councils. Mr. Burnett has also successfully handled litigation of contested zoning matters before the Trial and Appellate Courts through petitions for writ of certiorari and petitions for writ of mandamus. However, Mr. Burnett believes his greatest value is in helping clients get projects approved and assisting in value engineering projects to reduce construction costs or other project enhancements.

EDUCATION

University of North Florida, B.B.A. 1994
Widener University School of Law, J.D. 1998

EXPERIENCE

General Counsel for St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority for over 15 years (2001-Present)
City Attorney for City of St. Augustine Beach Florida (2009-2016)
Former Assistant County Attorney in St. Johns County, Florida.
Former Assistant State Attorney in St. Johns County, Florida.
Former Shareholder/Equity Partner at Large Regional Law Firm
Regularly serves as outside counsel to local governments.
Represents numerous landowners and developers in negotiating with local government to obtain Development Agreements and Impact Fee Credit Agreements.
Represents landowners and developers seeking amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and vesting under the Comprehensive Plan.
Successful plat and street vacations.
Extensive trial experience, including over thirty jury trials and over one hundred non-jury trials, as well as mediations and arbitration proceedings.
Representation of owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in disputes and litigation involving both commercial and residential contract and construction claims.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

St. Augustine Lighthouse (Former Board Member and Founding Lights Member)
St. Johns County American Cancer Society (Former Cattle Baron)
St. Johns County Bar Association (Past President)
St. Johns County Education Foundation (Former Board Member)
St. Johns County Salvation Army (Advisory Council Member)
Flagler College (Prior Visiting Instructor)

BAR MEMBERSHIPS

The Florida Bar
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Mr. Burnett is the son of Major General Douglas Burnett (Ret.) the former Adjutant General of Florida. Mr. Burnett’s father is currently on the University of North Florida’s Board of Trustees, the governing body for the University, and has been a member of the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board since 2013.