Jim Appleman
Panama City, Florida
Managing Partner
Phone: 850-230-5550
Fax: 850-215-4909
Email: Email Me

Jim Appleman served 24 years as the six-time elected State Attorney in Florida's Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, 1981-2005. As Chief Prosecutor for Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties from 1980-2005, Mr. Appleman was responsible for the prosecution of all felonies, misdemeanors and juveniles offenses occurring in the six county circuit.

Mr. Appleman is an experienced trial attorney who through the years has enjoyed many successes in the courtroom, personally handling many high profile and complex felony cases.

Mr. Appleman received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Florida State University School of Business in 1967 with a dual major in Management and Marketing. Mr. Appleman joined the United States Navy where he served as an officer from 1967-1970. In 1972 Mr. Appleman received a Juris Doctor degree with honors from the Florida State University College of Law. Upon his graduation from law school, Mr. Appleman served as an Assistant Attorney General handling appellate cases on behalf of the State of Florida under then Attorney General Robert Schevin.

Gravitating toward his strength in trial advocacy, Mr. Appleman became an Assistant State Attorney in 1974. In 1980 Mr. Appleman was elected State Attorney and after 30 years of public service retired to become Managing Partner of Appleman and Shepard.

Mr. Appleman continues to foster a constructive working relationship with the law enforcement community. Mr. Appleman is a Life Member of the Florida Sheriff's Association, he has served as President of the Florida Prosecuting Attorney's Association, served as a member of the Florida Crime Commission, has been Legal Advisor to the Statewide Grand Jury, and was a Member of the Governor's Counsel on Organized Crime.

Mr. Appleman's community involvement is deep. He has a special interest in the young people. Mr. Appleman has served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Bay County; was a Founding Member of the Children's Advocacy Center; and served on the Board of Directors of the Children's Home Society. Further, Mr. Appleman encourages business growth through his membership in the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Appleman is a member of the State Bar of Florida, the Bay County Bar Association, the Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the United State District Courts Northern and Middle Districts of Florida respectively.

• Click here for Jim Appleman's Profile
• Click here for Rudolph "Rusty" Shepard's Profile
• Click here for J. Karl Trucks Profile

Contact Our Lawyers

We want to hear from you if you've been arrested, accused of breaking the law, or need help with probation in the Panama City area or the Panama City Beach area. Call our 24-hour hotline today so the defense lawyers at Appleman, Shepard and Trucks can start putting our experience on your side. We're also available by email by clicking the red "Contact" link below. You can call or email us to schedule your free initial consultation. Arrested? Call us at 850-230-5550.