DHC Anniversary Timeline: Land and Leadership

1900

The Whittle Family,  descendants of area pioneers, maintained their homestead, an orange grove, and a fruit stand early 1900s where our building stands today

1925

Second Whittle House was built to replace the original house, which was destroyed in a fire

November 15, 1970

Dennis R. DeLoach Jr. helps form the City of Seminole
and serves as its first Co-City Attorney.

Foundations & Early Growth (1976–1989)

October 1, 1976

Dennis R. DeLoach Jr. opens his own law firm at 8486 Seminole Boulevard, primarily practicing probate, estate planning, and real estate law.

1977

Peter T. Hofstra joins the firm as a law clerk in 1976, then becomes an associate attorney in 1978, primarily practicing real estate and association law. 

1978

After earning his Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law,
Peter T. Hofstra becomes an associate attorney, primarily practicing
real estate and association law, 

1982

Peter T. Hofstra is named Partner. The firm’s name changed in 1982, becoming DeLoach & Hofstra, P.A.

1983

Ken Burke, CPA becomes the first Firm Administrator (1983–2004).

August 1, 1985

Dennis R. DeLoach Jr. helps found Seminole Federal Savings Bank for Seminole community.

February 13, 1986

Dennis DeLoach is Secretary Oakhurst Development Corp.

February 20, 1986

Ken Burke, CPA spearheads Miss Seminole Pagent.

October 8, 1987

Ken Burke, CPA named President of Kiwanis Club of Seminole. 

Expansion & Innovation (1990–2009)

1992

Dennis is named Mr. Seminole "in recognition of his many years of selfless devotion and service to the community..."

1993

DeLoach & Hofstra, P.A. relocates to 8640 Seminole Boulevard, marking an important step in the firm’s growth.

Shortly thereafter, on May 1, 1993, Dennis and Peter establish 
Seminole Title Company to better serve the community’s
residential and commercial real estate closing needs.

Paul R. Cavonis joins the team as a law clerk. 

1994

Paul R. Cavonis joins the firm as an associate attorney after earning his Juris Doctor with honors from Stetson University College of Law and goes on to create the firm's Personal Injury practice.

1999

D. “Rep” DeLoach III admitted to the Florida Bar, officially began his legal career, opening the door to a future dedicated to estate planning, elder law, and probate.

2000

Firm Administrator Ken Burke, CPA is named Mr. Seminole in recognition of his many civic contributions.

2001

Following in his father's footsteps, D. "Rep" DeLoach III joined the firm in 2001 to practice estate planning and create the elder law practice.

2002

Paul is sworn in as President of the Board of Trustees for the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce.

2004

Paul R. Cavonis is made Partner.

Following 21 years of leadership as Firm Administrator, Ken Burke, CPA, leaves the firm to serve Pinellas County as its newly elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

2005

D. “Rep” DeLoach III becomes Board Certified in Elder Law, Rep is one of only 100 attorneys in Florida who are Board Certified in Elder Law.

2006

 D. “Rep” DeLoach III is sworn in as a Director of the Board of Trustees for the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce.

2007

DeLoach & Hofstra, P.A. is named the 2007 Business of the Year by the Greater Seminole Chamber of Commerce. A committee of peers from the chamber selected the firm based on its ethics, integrity, and community involvement.

2007

Peter T. Hofstra is appointed to the Seminole City Council and serves for two years.

2007

Named in memory of Dennis and Faye DeLoach’s “Bonnie Beagle” (1991–2001), the “Legal Beagles” were established to promote animal advocacy in the community through events and volunteerism.

2009

D. “Rep” DeLoach III launched elder care navigation practice by expanding elder law team by adding a social worker and public benefits specialist to further assist seniors and their families with the aging journey.

Modern Era: Growth & Leadership (2010–Present)

2010

Peter T. Hofstra receives the city’s highest civic honor when he is named Mr. Seminole.

2012

Joseph "Joe" M. Murphy joins the firm as a law clerk.

2014

D. "Rep" DeLoach III is made Partner.

 In recognition of Dennis' 50 years as a member of the Florida Bar
and his years of service, City of Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters
presents Dennis with a proclamation from the City
declaring June 4, 2024, as Dennis R. DeLoach Jr. Day.

Joseph "Joe" M. Murphy joins the firm as an associate attorney and begins practicing injury law and civil litigation with Paul R. Cavonis.  

2015

Simone B. DeLoach graduates with high honors from USF St. Petersburg with a Masters' degree in Business Administration in Marketing and Management and joins the firm as Director of Marketing. Simone then establishes a formal internship program and creates the law firm's first quarterly newsletter, Navigator, with free information and client stories to stay top of mind with clients and community partners.

2016

The firm acquires Meni Kanner's estate planning and
injury law practice in Pinellas Park. 

Joseph "Joe" M. Murphy is sworn in as Secretary of the Board of Trustees for the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce, continuing the firm’s legacy of community leadership.

Simone B. DeLoach's role expands to become
Director of Marketing of Seminole Title Company.

January 1, 2017

Firm establishes new law scholarship through the Pinellas Education Foundation for high school seniors at Seminole High or Largo High Schools.

2017

In honor of Paul R. Cavonis' contributions,
the firm's name is changed to DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis, P.A.

D. “Rep” DeLoach III becomes a published author, sharing his knowledge and insights through his first book, "Top 20 Rules for Protecting Your Florida Estate."

 2018 

On January 1,  Peter T. Hofstra begins his
retirement transition and becomes "Of Counsel." 

Under Peter's guidance, Joseph "Joe" M. Murphy assumes management
of the title company and real estate practice.

2018

DHC/STC Legal Beagles animal advocacy program is re-branded and re-ignited.

2019

After 43 years of leadership, Dennis R. DeLoach Jr. is named "Boss of the Year" at the Seminole Chamber Mr. Ms. Seminole Awards Banquet Dinner

The firm acquires John Pecarek’s estate planning & probate practice in Largo.

2020

January 30, groundbreaking of new law firm and title company building.

March 1, the firm acquires new building at 8666 Seminole Boulevard to house its marketing activities and full video studio to host the Marketing Department.

2021

The firm and title company move into their new state-of-the-art building.

Joseph "Joe" M. Murphy is named Partner.

2022

August 29, Michelle M. Lianzo joins firm as Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney.

2022

September 26, Michael D. Cavonis joins firm as Probate and Estate Litigation Attorney.

2023

D. “Rep” DeLoach III leads the opening of a second location in Sun City Center, further extending the firm’s services to new communities.

2024

June 20, Joseph "Joe" M. Murphy becomes Board Certified in Real Estate.

2025

After 24 years of leadership, D. “Rep” DeLoach III is named "Boss of the Year" at the Seminole Chamber Mr. Ms. Seminole Awards Banquet Dinner.

October 20, Gabrielle Englander joins the firm as Civil Litigation Attorney.

2026: 50th Anniversary Year!

April 1, the firm opens a new satellite branch in St. Petersburg.
October 1, the firm's official 50th Anniversary