Bert J. Harris III

Bert J. Harris, III, a partner at Swaine & Harris P.A., based in the Lake Placid Office, brings over three decades of experience in commercial and real property transactions, litigation, administrative, and government law. A native of Lake Placid, Bert's family roots in the area span about 80 years.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Florida in 1975 and a Masters of Agricultural Management and Resource Development in 1976, Bert was actively involved in campus life, serving as secretary of Florida Blue Key and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

Bert earned his Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law in 1979 and began his legal career in Tallahassee, specializing in administrative law. He returned to Lake Placid in 1981, joining Robert P. Dunty, Jr.'s practice. In 1990, Bert merged practices with Mike Swaine to form Swaine & Harris, P.A.

Currently serving as Town Attorney for the Town of Lake Placid and attorney for the Highlands County Hospital District, Bert is also a founding director of Heartland National Bank, N.A.

In his leisure time, Bert tends to his family citrus grove and enjoys quality time with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter, Katherine.

Bert holds licenses to practice in front of the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and all Florida state courts.