Overview

Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow is a transactional law firm that offers comprehensive legal services to its clients to help them navigate their sophisticated legal issues. DMHD attorneys offer a high level of client service and legal knowledge regarding complex transactions in the areas of corporate, real estate, finance, intellectual property, technology, land use, zoning & government relations law and environmental law. DMHD is uniquely positioned to address our clients’ transactional needs and accomplish their goals.

REAL ESTATE LAW - DMHD’s real estate practice encompasses a broad range of complex real estate transactions, as well as more traditional real estate development, financing, purchase, sale, and leasing transactions. We regularly manage multimillion dollar projects, and our team includes lawyers recognized by their peers as preeminent. Our team’s diverse experience enables us to advise clients on the full spectrum of issues in real estate transactions, as a single source for answers concerning the real estate business regarding tax structuring, entity formation, government relations, securities, as well as mergers and acquisitions that include real estate.

CORPORATE LAW - With an entrepreneurial focus, DMHD emphasizes practical legal solutions that make business sense for our clients at all stages of development, including start-ups, emerging growth companies and established public corporations. We advise our clients on a wide range of corporate matters, including entity formation and governance, legal issues regarding daily and long-term operational issues, and all types of contracts and agreements. Our corporate attorneys are also experienced in securities, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, government certification and intellectual property.

LAND USE, ZONING & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LAW - DMHD attorneys address issues and develop opportunities for both the public and private sectors in the areas of land use, zoning, incentives, and procurement. Our team has mastered the technical and procedural aspects of regulatory and administrative policy and can provide clients with a unique perspective and intimate knowledge of local, state and federal government. We represent large-scale developers, contractors, non-profits, and quasi-governmental organizations throughout the state of Florida.

Corporate — Tax structuring of corporate acquisitions and tax-free reorganizations for S corporations and C corporations.

Limited liability companies (LLCs) and partnerships — Formation, operation, recapitalization and acquisitions.

Tax-exempt organizations — Formation, operation, reorganization, compliance and governance.

Real estate — Like-kind exchanges, development, multi-party investment and other transactions.

Tax credits and subsidies — Federal incentive tax credits and alternative energy federal tax subsidies.

Additionally, we assist clients in alcohol licensing matters including resort, hotel and restaurant licensing, regulatory compliance, and permitting of breweries and distilleries.

FINANCE LAW - DMHD attorneys assist clients in a wide variety of loan transactions, from real estate secured loans to asset-based loans on behalf of both lenders and borrowers. We provide sophisticated legal services to our clients in the evolving lending market.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW - DMHD assists clients in a broad range of industries in the identification and protection of their intellectual property rights. Our experience relating to trademarks includes clearance searches, federal and state trademark registrations, management of trademark portfolios and trademark disputes. Similarly, we advise our clients on copyright matters and assist in obtaining federal copyright registrations. Our intellectual property attorneys also draft and negotiate license agreements and assignments related to copyright and trademark rights. We assist clients in obtaining security interests in these rights as well. DMHD’s intellectual property attorneys advise clients regarding game promotion and sweepstakes regulations, including structuring promotions to achieve client goals and to comply with Florida law, drafting promotion rules, and drafting affidavits of eligibility and liability releases.

  • Patents — DMHD's patent attorneys perform patentability searches, provide patentability opinions, counsel clients regarding the proper protection of patents, ascertain ownership of patents, prepare patent licenses and determine if new products infringe the patent rights of others.
  • Trademarks — Attorneys at DMHD perform trademark searches, register trademarks and provide opinions on registration. Our intellectual property group prepares trademark licenses and counsels clients on proper trademark use and policing techniques to protect their trademark.
  • Copyrights — Creative works such as books, music, films, computer programs, computer games and photographs can be protected under the law through the proper use of copyright. Our attorneys counsel clients on the registration procedures required for that protection.
  • Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition — To protect valuable trade secret assets, DMHD attorneys provide clients with employment contracts and consulting arrangements that cover the maintenance of confidentiality. We also prepare licensing and assignment agreements for trade secret information.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW - DMHD attorneys combine industry-specific experience with the firm’s wide-ranging experience in corporate law to help our clients navigate the dynamic and constantly evolving technology landscape. We take the time to understand our clients’ specific challenges and employ innovative tools and strategies to tailor solutions that protect and preserve their technological interests and intellectual property.

Our attorney’s experience encompasses software development, licensing and maintenance, e-commerce transactions and sales of businesses with significant intellectual property assets. Preparation and negotiation of a variety of technology-related agreements, including software licensing, hosting, distribution and maintenance, software development, master software licenses and related statements of work, integrated hardware and software purchases and licenses, source code, consulting, non-compete and non-solicitation, nondisclosure, website development and website terms and conditions, are also offered by our attorneys.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW - The environmental attorneys at DMHD understand the complex regulatory regime facing developers and other businesses and have broad experience not only representing the regulated community but also working within government regulatory bodies. We can help guide clients through permitting, compliance, environmental due diligence and enforcement of matters involving air, water, natural resources, wetlands, solid and hazardous waste, renewable energy, release reporting, remediation, and land use.

Size:
27
Magnifying glass with star icon
Practice Areas:
32
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
15

Rankings

Regional

Jacksonville

Tier
1
Jacksonville
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Commercial Finance Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Copyright Law

Firm Leadership

Highlighted Client Comments

These featured testimonials reflect a sampling of client experiences. As every legal matter is unique—comments are personal opinions, not guarantees of future results.
Land Use and Zoning Law
Those attorneys at the firm I have dealt with have been extraordinarily helpful in assisting us to achieve our goals. They have proven to be knowledgeable with the local regulatory environment and have facilitated the approvals of several "sticky" projects.
 

Rankings

Regional

Jacksonville

Tier
1
Jacksonville
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Commercial Finance Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Copyright Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Corporate Governance Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Environmental Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Government Relations Practice
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Trademark Law
Tier
1
Jacksonville
Venture Capital Law
Tier
2
Jacksonville
Corporate Compliance Law
Tier
2
Jacksonville
Patent Law
Tier
2
Jacksonville
Securities Regulation
Tier
3
Jacksonville
Litigation - Environmental

Practice Areas

Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow PLLC has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 20 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Commercial Finance Law
  • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
  • Copyright Law
  • Corporate Compliance Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Government Contracts
  • Government Relations Practice
  • Information Technology Law
  • IT Outsourcing Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Natural Resources Law
  • Patent Law
  • Privacy and Data Security Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Securities Regulation
  • Securitization and Structured Finance Law
  • Tax Law
  • Technology Law
  • Trade Secrets Law
  • Trademark Law
  • Venture Capital Law

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow PLLC proudly has 15 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
Spinning circle
{{ practiceAreaName }}
{{ lawyer.FirstName[0] }}{{ lawyer.LastName[0] }}
{{ lawyer.Locations[0].City }}{{lawyer.Locations[0].StateCode ? ', ' + lawyer.Locations[0].StateCode : '' }}

Client Comments

A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
Spinning circle
 

Awards

Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow PLLC is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow PLLC has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow PLLC continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.

Offices & Contacts

Jacksonville, FL
Wells Fargo Center, Suite 1200
One Independent Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32202
United States
Bill Hammill
Partner, Vice President of Operations
Find the Best Law Firms
Search for a Law Firm
Search our directory of over 16,000 firms across the Globe.
Search
Is Your Law Firm Ranked?
Enhance your firm's reputation and visibility with our marketing opportunities.
Marketing Opportunities
Ranked Practice Areas
See the practice areas included in our Best Law Firms research.
Practice Areas