Robert S. Bolt

Email: rsbolt@barnettbolt.com
Phone: (813) 253-2020 ext. 103
Fax: (813) 251-6711
V-card

After graduating from the University of Florida law school and the graduate tax program at New York University, Bob served two years as a law clerk at the U.S. Tax Court in Washington, D.C.  He began private practice as a litigation tax associate at the Culverhouse, Tomlinson, Mills, DeCarion & Anderson tax firm in Jacksonville, Fla., where he represented taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and tried U.S. Tax Court and U.S. Federal District Court cases.

Co-founded the firm in 1976

In 1976, Bob moved to Tampa and formed Barnett & Bolt, P. A. where Bob handled all the firm's litigation and tax controversy work.  As Chairman / CEO of the firm, Bob also undertook primary responsibility for the management of the firm from its inception through 2008.  He continues to serve on the firm's executive committee.

In early 1979, Bob began representing a major southwest Florida retailer in various disputes and, as a result of favorable outcomes for that client, his engagement expanded and eventually he was appointed outside general counsel for that company.  As the senior managers of that company left to assume positions at other retail companies, they hired Bob as their outside general counsel.  Thus began a series of long-term corporate counsel representations that continue to this day, complementing his core practice of commercial, tax and administrative litigation. 

Bob is an avid private pilot, saltwater fisherman, diver, fourth-generation Floridian, and lover of Florida history and the Florida Gators.  He very much enjoys spending time with his wife, Nancy, four children, and five granddaughters.

Practice Areas

• Commercial, tax and administrative litigation
• Corporation, partnership and business legal advice to senior managers
• Federal income, estate and gift taxation; state and local taxation
• Asset based financing; commercial real estate; uniform commercial code

Recognition

• Tampa Bay's Top Lawyers, Tampa Bay Magazine, July/August 2010
• Florida Super Lawyers (Business/Corporate), Law & Politics Magazine, 2006 - 2011
• Florida Legal Elite (Business Law), Florida Trend Magazine, 2005 - 2006
• One of "most influential" attorneys in southwest Florida, Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2004
• America's Leading Business Lawyers (Taxation), Chambers & Partners USA, 2004
• AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, continuously since 1981

Education

• University of Florida (B.A., 1967; J.D., with honors, 1971)
• New York University (LL.M., in Taxation, 1972) Phi Kappa Phi

Admissions

• The Florida Bar (1971)
• U.S. Tax Court (1974)
• All federal district courts in Florida (1974-1976)

Professional Associations

• Chairman/C.E.O., Barnett, Bolt, Kirkwood, Long & McBride P.A., Tampa (1976-2008)
• General Counsel, Minyard Food Stores, Inc., Dallas, TX (2004-2010)
• General Counsel, Sports & Recreation, Inc., formerly Jumbo Sports, Inc., Tampa (1999-2001)
• General Counsel, Kash n' Karry Food Stores, Inc., (aka Sweetbay Supermarkets), Tampa (1988-1997)
• Law Clerk to the Honorable C. Moxley Featherston, Judge, U.S. Tax Court, Washington, D.C. (1972-1974)

Publications

• "The New Original Issue Discount Rules," The Florida Bar Journal, December 1984
• "Highlights of the Subchapter S Revision Act of 1982, Parts I and II" The Florida Bar Journal, March and April 1983