James W. Chandler, Esq.

An Experienced Attorney

As a former felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile prosecutor, he has the experience needed to assist you.

James is also a member of Colorado, Washington, D.C., and Florida Bars.

You can count on James with over 20 years of experience to help you with your legal matters.

Mr. Chandler has been rated by Florida Super Lawyers for 13 years in a row, from 2013-2025.

If you have a federal case, James Chandler can help you there as well – he has been admitted to practice in all 3 Florida’s federal courts. He has experience dealing with and trying complex Federal Conspiracies and other Federal issues. Mr. Chandler has handled several cases filed under the Hague Convention on the Civil aspects of Child Abduction.

James graduated with his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver College of Law in 2002, and ever since then he has been actively practicing law.

James W. Chandler - Family & Criminal Attorney

Mr. Chandler has been admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mr. Chandler is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Civil, Family Law, Appellate, and County Court Mediator and is a qualified arbitrator. Mr. Chandler has also been appointed by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida as a Mediator.

Mr. Chandler graduated from West Virginia University in May 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations and with his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver College of Law in 2002, and I have been actively practicing law ever since.

Mr. Chandler is a member of the Lee and Collier County Bar Associations as well as the Michael R.N. McDonnell American Inns of Court, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is the former President, Vice-President and Treasurer of the Collier County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

In 2018 James W. Chandler was a candidate for Circuit Court Judge in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Chandler has been selected by Florida SuperLawyers from 2013-2025 and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. In 2019 Mr. Chandler was recognized by Naples Illustrated as one of Naples Top Lawyers 2019 and 2024. In 2020 Martindale-Hubbell recognized Mr. Chandler as a Silver Client Champion 2020-2025.

Prior to James W Chandler beginning his own law firm, he was a partner in the law firm of Agoston & Chandler, P.A. where he focused on Federal and State Criminal Defense, Family and Marital Law, Juvenile Delinquency and Dependency, and Domestic Violence.

He had joined the Law Office of David T. Agoston in October 2008 after over 3 years in the Collier County State Attorney's Office where he prosecuted in Misdemeanor (County Court), Juvenile Delinquency (Circuit Court) and Adult Felony (Circuit Courts).

Prior to joining the State Attorney's Office, he was an Associate at the Law Firm of Romsa & Kuker, LLC in Boulder, Colorado, practicing criminal defense and family law. Prior to that time, he worked as a clerk in a small Federal Criminal Defense Firm in Denver, Colorado.

He is a native of Huntington, West Virginia, and a member of Collier County Bar Association, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,

Michael R.N. McDonnell American Inns of Court, The Florida Bar Family Law Section, The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section, and the Collier County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

In his spare time, he enjoys being a SCUBA Instructor

and is the co-founder of Scuba Outfitters of Naples.

During football season, he can be found anywhere the West Virginia Mountaineers are playing or occasionally playing golf. He has a wife, Joleana, and 2 wonderful kids, Elena and Evan.