In June 2024, Syprett Meshad managing partner Scott Westheimer presided over The Florida Bar convention luncheon honoring those lawyers that have been licensed to practice law in Florida for 50 years. “It was extremely special to have one of my very own partners, John Dumbaugh, be recognized at this year’s luncheon,” said Scott.
Scott shared highlights of John’s professional career as well as insights into his personal life history in a recent article published in the October issue of The Docket, the official magazine of the Sarasota County Bar Association:
John D. Dumbaugh / Lawyer, Community Volunteer, Sarasota Family Man
John was born and raised in Butler, Pennsylvania, home of the first Jeep developed for the war effort. His father was actually one of the Jeep’s designers. His family visited Sarasota on vacation when he was 16 and they knew it would be their lifetime home. They moved to Sarasota soon thereafter in 1965. John is a proud graduate of Riverview High School (class of 1967) and is a member of Riverview’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.
John joined Syprett Meshad, P.A. (which was initially known as Crabtree, Butler, Syprett & Meshad) after graduating from the University of Florida College of Law in 1974. He came to the firm as a law clerk in 1973 but he had connections to the firm much earlier than that. He met Jim Syprett when he was a junior at Riverview High School where Jim mentored a group of high school students. Jim brought him into the firm, first as a clerk and then as an associate. John became a partner in 1984.
His practice has concentrated on Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and he has been a board certified Real Estate attorney since 1990. One of the greatest things he has experienced over his 50 years practicing was the privilege to know, work with, and be mentored by some of the greatest developers in Sarasota and Manatee County, including John Meshad, Roland King, Ed Kalin, and Howard Horton.
In addition to his real estate work, John also has a large probate practice. He was mentored by and practiced in front of Sarasota’s judicial elite, including practicing probate law in front of Judge Lynn Silvertooth. John is fluent in German, holding a course completion certificate for “German for Jurists” from the prestigious Goethe Institute in Bonn. John has worked with the German Consulate in Miami and Atlanta, and has a large international clientele. He has developed an understanding and expertise in comparative law on different countries’ probate systems and documentation and how they interact with Florida law.
When he is not busy with his law practice, John finds time to enjoy his many varied interests, including genealogy, history, performing as a member in two of Sarasota’s foremost choral groups, and sailing.
He previously served on the boards of the Sarasota Mental Health Association, Sarasota United Cerebral Palsy, Siesta Key Actor’s Theatre, Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, Key Chorale Artists of Sarasota, and Sarasota Power & Sail Squadron. He received The Florida Bar Presidents Pro Bono Service Award in 2000.
John and his wife Barbara are proud parents of two daughters, Elizabeth Dumbaugh & Victoria Lear, and now have five grandchildren. They are celebrating 45 years of marriage, and enjoy traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.
