Farr, Earl Drayton

 Born on February 14, 1900, in 1924 Earl D. Farr ventured out of his hometown of Wauchula with only $500 and a typewriter to open a law office in Punta Gorda. A 1923 graduate of the University of Florida Law School, he came to Punta Gorda with his new bride, Emily Sue. Initially, he hung his shingle in the Johnson Building, once on Marion Avenue. He then moved down the Chadwick Building (now the Celtic Ray), building the firm’s own structure across the street soon after. Over time, the one-man law firm grew to become the largest law firm in Charlotte County today.

While County Attorney for over thirty years, Farr acted as prosecuting attorney and school board attorney, during which time he negotiated with the Mackle Brothers for the land to build the first school in Port Charlotte. Farr also helped incorporate and represented First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charlotte County. He was also Punta Gorda’s City Attorney for two terms and served once as Chairman of the 20th Judicial Circuit Bar Association. 

Earl D. Farr, sometimes referred to by staff as "Daddy Farr," was a man of slight build but with command presence. He would listen quietly to discussion around the table, but when he spoke everybody listened. He had high expectations and demanded prompt responsiveness to the needs of his clients from himself and everyone to whom he delegated client matters. He was serious, driven, and determined for all his clients regardless of stature in the community or ability to pay. He represented governmental bodies, some of the highest profile businesses and prominent personalities in Charlotte County, as well as many who were less advantaged, financially, or otherwise. He did the latter without fanfare or desire for personal recognition, but those close to him knew how much he was appreciated by those deserving but under-served clients.

Farr Law represented the purchaser in the largest transfer of submerged lands in Southwest Forida. More recently Farr Law has participated in twoof the most significan businss transactions in the County's history. The firm in 2006 represented Babcock Florida Co. in the sale of 93,000 acres to the State of Florida resulting in the community of Babcock Ranch developed by Kitson & Partners. In 2018 Farr Law began representation of the recently opened Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor. In 2001 the firm moved to the Earl D. Farr Building onb Nesbit Street in Punta Gorda where it continues to operate to date. 

Mr. Farr passed away on December 2, 1988.