I am a lawyer located in Venice, Florida. I practice primarily in the areas of Divorce and Family Law, Business and Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Business Representation, and Trademark Law.
When I opened my law firm in 2012 I decided to center my practice around dispute resolution and business. My reasoning was simple: I enjoy all aspects of business, and I also enjoy solving difficult problems. Trial lawyers work on the hardest problems in a person’s life. No one will pay a lawyer their hourly rate to work on an easy problem.
Before graduating from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and founding my law practice, most of my employment involved working in biological research laboratories at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Florida. I have a Bachelor’s degree from Tulane University where I majored in both Finance and Cellular / Molecular Biology.
While some may consider a cellular biology degree to be an odd start to a legal career, there are actually many similarities between the disciplines of science and law. In the laboratory I worked within tolerances of a thousandth of a milliliter, often on complex reactions that took weeks to complete. It required required patience, attention to detail, and diligence. Practicing law requires a similar level of care and commitment.
Laboratory work was fun, but there was always a second interest: business. What I enjoy most about business is how there are so many different ways to provide value. You identify a need, develop a solution, and then iterate to improve that process. Business is the ultimate pursuit.
For these reasons I’ve chosen to take a business owner’s approach to the practice of law. I help clients make prudent legal decisions by weighing the benefits against the risks, and to look critically at how a legal decision can impact your life or the life of your business. Some risks are worth taking. Others are not. My goal is to always provide you with perspective and practical legal advice so that you can make effective decisions regarding your legal matter.
Ultimately, I practice law because I enjoy working with interesting people to solve complex problems. Law, and especially litigation, can be extremely challenging. There is rarely one “correct” way to solve a legal problem. Successfully representing clients requires multiple perspectives and a diverse set of skills. Each person’s legal problem is unique. The challenge and the creativity is what I enjoy most.
I primarily practice law in Venice and Sarasota. I also take on legal matters in Charlotte and Manatee County if it’s the right fit for the client. I only work locally so I can provide the most value to my clients. It is a privilege to serve my local community, and it has been a thrill to see how my work has a direct impact on the people and businesses around me.
Thank you for reading more about me and my law firm. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I may be of assistance.
Licenses and Professional Associations
I am admitted to practice law in the state of Florida (Florida Bar No. 0100788), and am a Registered Patent Attorney licensed to practice before the United States Patent Office (Reg. No. 65,272).
I am an active member of The Florida Bar, the Sarasota County Bar Association, and The Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court.
Education
- University of Florida, Levin College of Law, J.D., 2012
- Tulane University, B.S., Finance / Cellular and Molecular Biology, 2008
Community Involvement
- Sarasota County Bar Association, South County Division – President – 2017-2018
- Sarasota County Bar Association – Member – 2012-Present
- The Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court – Member 2014-Present
- Sertoma Club of Venice – Member – 2013-Present
- Venice Area Chamber of Commerce – Member 2013-Present
Practice Areas
- Divorce and Family Law
- Business and Commercial Litigation
- Real Property Litigation
- Probate and Trust Litigation
- Intellectual Property Law (Trademark, and Copyright applications only)
- Business Representation (Corporate Formation, Contracts, Commercial Leases)
More Information
My Florida Bar Member Page
My Sarasota Bar Association Member Page
My AVVO Profile
Contact Information
Dan Policastro, Attorney at Law
The Law Office of Dan Policastro, P.L.
355 West Venice Ave
Venice, Florida 34285
Phone: (941) 882-4367
Fax: (941) 485-8163
Email: dan@danpolicastrolaw.com
Payment Methods
We accept payment via traditional payment methods such as credit cards, cash, and checks. We also accept online payment services including PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle. Finally, we are a cryptocurrency friendly law firm and accept cryptocurrencies.