Continuing its long and close association with Winter Haven, Boswell & Dunlap LLP, Polk County’s oldest law firm, was pleased to join with the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce to present Celebrate Winter Haven – 30 Days of YAY! The month-long virtual event began on October 1 and celebrated the many community milestones and memories from this past year. It concluded with a new video, Winter Haven – We Call it Home, in which Robert Chilton and Jillian Spangler were thrilled to feature.
Boswell & Dunlap featured in the Bartownian
Boswell & Dunlap, LLP was honored to be featured in the premier edition of The Bartownian.
Business of the Month – Boswell & Dunlap LLP
Boswell & Dunlap, LLP is thrilled to receive the Business of the Month award from the Bartow Chamber of Commerce for December of 2025! Here is the chamber’s announcement:
We are proud to recognize Boswell and Dunlap LLP as our Business of the Month for December!
Boswell and Dunlap LLP is one of the Bartow Chamber’s most dedicated members, demonstrated by their consistent sponsorship of most Chamber events and their tradition of hosting our annual December Fun Thursday. Sean Parker, a partner at Boswell and Dunlap, serves on the Chamber Board, and Jillian, who is also a partner, is a dedicated Chamber Ambassador and member of ENGAGE. Furthermore, the firm supports employee development through participation in both Leadership Bartow classes and the ENGAGE Young Professionals group. Boswell and Dunlap LLP’s deep commitment makes them an exemplary business and our proud Business of the Month.
Jillian T. Spangler: Polk County’s Oldest Law Firm Welcomes its Newest Partner!
Boswell & Dunlap LLP, Polk County’s oldest law firm, is pleased to announce that Jillian T. Spangler has become its newest partner. Jillian has a robust transactional and litigation practice including the areas of guardianship, estate planning, probate, and trust administration. Jillian takes pride in skillfully advocating for her clients in the courtroom and thoughtfully guiding them through some of the most important planning of their lives. To schedule an appointment with Jillian, call the firm at (863) 533-7117.
Don Wilson – 2022 Rotary Club Medal of Merit Winner
2022 Medal of Merit Winner – Don Wilson
Boswell & Dunlap LLP is proud to announce that Donald H. Wilson, Jr. has been awarded the 2022 Medal of Merit by the Bartow Rotary Club. This award is given in recognition of one’s outstanding community service within their profession.
Don is a fifth-generation Polk County citizen, residing on the same street where his great, great grandparents settled over 150 years ago. After graduating from the University of Florida College of Law and working in Coral Gables for a few years, he returned to serve his community in Bartow. He chose to work for Boswell and Dunlap, the firm that was co-founded by his grandfather Solon G. Wilson in 1900.
Here, he has been active in the Bartow Chamber of Commerce, the Bartow Community Healthcare Foundation, and was the first president of the Bartow Main Street Program. Don has also represented the Polk County School Board since 1980, and served as Polk State College’s General Counsel since about 1990. His commitment to educational and community institutions has been evident throughout his career.
The firm applauds Don on his accomplishments, and thanks him for his years of service within the legal profession and our community. Congratulations, Don.
Celebrate Winter Haven 2020
COVID-19 Update
As an essential services provider in our community for over 120 years, we are proud to remain open for the transaction of our clients’ legal business during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During this time, the safety and health of our clients, our staff and our attorneys is of foremost importance to us. To prevent unintentional business and workplace transmissions, we have implemented certain protective measures at our office. Effective April 3, 2020, our office lobby and meeting rooms will be available for client consultations and real estate transactions “by appointment only.” Additionally, in compliance with local, state and federal COVID-19 guidance, we have limited physical gatherings and meeting group sizes to ten (10) persons or less at all times. We also continue to perform increased environmental cleaning in our public spaces.
During appointments, we kindly request all that of our clients and guests practice ordinary respiratory etiquette and remain mindful of applicable social distancing requirements.
If you have an appointment scheduled and are feeling unwell, please contact us in advance and make arrangements for your appointment to be held by telephone or web-based conferencing. If you have other concerns regarding your visit, please notify us and we will be glad to make special arrangements in order to assist you.
HOAs, Condos, Co-ops and COVID-19
It is a difficult time. Concerns about the coronavirus and COVID-19 are especially acute in the context of HOAs, condominiums and cooperative associations. For members, officers and directors contemplating upcoming meetings and events, guidance is needed. The statutes governing community associations generally require public meetings, open to all and noticed in advance, and broadly proscribe the wholesale closing of common areas and common elements. Community leaders and members do not know if the statutory requirements remain fixed in light of the present public health situation. What are their options?
The Florida legislature has provided a mechanism by which condominiums, cooperative associations and homeowners’ association can adapt their operations to present circumstances. These statutes (§ 718.1265 for condominiums, § 719.128 for cooperatives, § 720.316 for homeowners’ associations) all provide for reasonable flexibility in response to damage caused by an event for which a state of emergency is declared. Florida’s Governor declared the existence of that state of emergency on March 9, 2020 (Executive Order No. 20-52). The “damage” referenced in the foregoing statutes is not expressly limited to property or building damage.
In light of this statutory authority, community associations and the leaders should keep the following points in mind as they consider upcoming operations and meetings:
- Consider postponing upcoming meetings and social gatherings;
- Cancel meetings and events involving more than 50 people;
- Adopt enhanced cleaning procedures for common areas and common elements;
- Host board and committee meetings virtually, invite members to join remotely (phone, Skype, etc.) and immediately post and circulate recordings and minutes;
- Practice social distancing; and
- Following the guidance of public health authorities such as the Florida Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Even small steps can make a big difference in our communities and neighborhoods.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 TEACHER AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR!
Boswell & Dunlap LLP was thrilled to continue its sponsorship of the 2020 Polk County Public Schools Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year Program. Congratulations to Dr. Vincent Miller, Kay Llewellyn, and each of this year’s finalists. The firm is proud to be associated with this annual event honoring those who make the difference in the lives of our children.
Parker Named President of Polk Area Real Estate Council
Boswell & Dunlap LLP is pleased to announce that Sean R. Parker has been appointed president of the Polk Area Real Estate Council. The council connects real estate attorneys and professionals throughout Polk County and beyond to provide education, information and resources to consumers and our real estate community, to enhance the practices of real estate attorneys, and to make each real estate experience a successful, positive and rewarding one. Sean’s appointment continues the firm’s century-long commitment to our local real estate community.
Spangler Appointed as Polk County Special Magistrate
Boswell & Dunlap LLP is pleased to announce that Attorney Jillian T. Spangler has been appointed Alternate Special Magistrate by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. As Alternate Special Magistrate, Ms. Spangler will preside over Code Enforcement Public Hearings. She will have the authority to determine, based upon the evidence and testimony presented, if a code or ordinance violation has occurred. Ms. Spangler’s appointment as Alternate Special Magistrate continues this firm’s long history of service to Polk County’s local governments, and the citizens they serve.