Bruce E. Stutsman is a commercial lawyer, practicing since 1988. He received his Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, and his Masters in Business Administration from the University of West Florida. Mr. Stutsman received his Juris Doctorate from Cornell Law School, and shortly thereafter began practicing with the Jacksonville law firm of Smith Hulsey & Busey as a member of its business law section. Thereafter, Mr. Stutsman became a shareholder of the Jacksonville law firm of Dale, Bald & Altes, P.A., where he practiced until co-founding the Firm with Mr. Thames. Mr. Stutsman is a shareholder, director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Firm.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Stutsman was on active duty with the U.S. Navy where he distinguished himself as an A-7E attack pilot on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68). Mr. Stutsman left active duty in 1985; however, he maintained his affiliation with the U.S. Navy as a drilling reservist until his retirement from the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1998. Being an avid aviator, Mr. Stutsman maintains his currency as a civilian pilot.

Mr. Stutsman's practice is focused in the following areas: complex business transactions; stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions; business mergers; private placement of securities; franchising; land use, zoning, and real estate matters; organization and maintenance of business entities; intellectual property rights including copyrights, trademarks and potential infringement claims; representation of national and state-chartered financial institutions in commercial real estate and asset-based lending transactions.

Mr. Stutsman is admitted to practice in all Florida courts and in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Mr. Stutsman is a member of The Florida Bar, including its Business, Real Property, Intellectual Property, and Franchise Sections, and the Jacksonville Bar Association. Although Mr. Stutsman is well versed in almost all areas of commercial transactions, Mr. Stutsman has been certified by The Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in Real Estate Law. Mr. Stutsman also has been awarded the "AV" rating, which is the highest legal ability rating and general ethical standards rating achievable by a member of The Florida Bar.

Mr. Stutsman is a former Chairman of the City of Jacksonville’s Planning Commission, and is a former Chairman of the City of Jacksonville’s Land Development Committee. Mr. Stutsman is serving, or has served, on the boards of directors of a number of Jacksonville not-for-profit organizations; among which are the Jacksonville Youth Sanctuary, and the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair. Mr. Stutsman also is a former Chairman of the Northeast Florida Equestrian Society, and is a former Chairman of the Florida Equestrian Celebration.