Richard W. Hawthorne

Commercial Transactions / UCC Law

5.0 (1 reviews)

Jacksonville, Florida

33+ years experience

Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow PLLC

Updated: Jan 02, 2026

Contact Information

904-301-1269

https://www.drivermcafee.com/professional/richard-w-hawthorne/

Wells Fargo Center, Suite 1200, One Independent Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202

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Bio

Richard W. Hawthorne is a partner at DMHD, where he focuses on real estate and banking law. He represents buyers and sellers in commercial and residential real estate transactions, landlords and tenants in commercial leasing and developers of multifamily housing and retail buildings. He also has significant experience representing buyers and sellers of debt obligations.Mr. Hawthorne previously worked for Arthur Anderson & Co. (Jacksonville, Florida) as a tax accountant, Foley & Lardner LLP (Jacksonville, Florida), first as an associate then as a partner, and as general counsel and project manager for Thomas-Pierce & Company (Tallahassee, Florida) before joining DMHD in 2009 as a partner.

Practice Areas

Commercial Transactions / UCC Law

Awards & Recognition

Lawyer of the Year: Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, Jacksonville (2026)
Recognized: Banking and Finance Law
Recognized: Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Recognized: Real Estate Law
Practice Area: Commercial Finance Law
AV Peer Review Rated by Lexis Nexis | Martindale Hubbell
Florida Trend’s Legal Elite
Jacksonville’s Top Lawyers in Jacksonville Magazine

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016

Education

University of Florida, J.D. with honors, graduated 1992
University of Florida, B.S. with honors (Accounting), graduated 1988

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Reviews

Amy Nguyen

2 weeks ago

Exceptional guidance on a complex commercial property acquisition

Richard Hawthorne expertly guided our small business through the acquisition of a multi-unit commercial property in Jacksonville. His deep knowledge of real estate and banking law, honed over three decades, was invaluable. He anticipated financing hurdles and title issues we never would have considered, ensuring a smooth closing. It’s clear why he’s recognized in commercial transactions; his dual background in accounting and law provides a unique strategic advantage. Richard is not only exceptionally professional but also personally invested in his clients' success. Partnering with him and the team at Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow was the best decision we made for this critical transaction.