Dennis Ross

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Of Counsel

Dennis Ross serves as Of Counsel at The MTM Law Firm PLLC, bringing a rare combination of legal practice, business leadership, and legislative experience to the firm’s probate and estate law work. A lifelong Lakeland resident, Dennis has spent nearly four decades serving the people of Polk County and Central Florida as an attorney, business owner, state legislator, and United States Congressman.

Education and Credentials

Dennis earned his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1987 and was admitted to The Florida Bar that same year (FL Bar No. 651729). He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Auburn University (1981). Dennis is additionally a member of the Washington, D.C. Bar Association.

Legal Career and Business Experience

Before entering public service, Dennis built a substantial legal career in Central Florida. He began practicing at Holland & Knight in Lakeland before joining the legal team at Walt Disney World. He went on to found his own law firm, which grew to 27 employees and represented businesses and industry in legal matters for more than 20 years. This private-sector experience gives Dennis a practical understanding of how legal decisions affect real families and businesses, a perspective that directly benefits the firm’s probate and estate planning clients.

Legislative Experience

Dennis represented Polk County and the surrounding region at both the state and federal level for nearly two decades. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008, where his committee work included chairing the House Committee on Insurance following the devastating 2004 hurricane season. In 2010, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served Florida’s 15th Congressional District (which includes Polk County) until 2019.

During his eight years in Congress, Dennis served on the House Financial Services Committee for six years, gaining deep insight into the financial regulations and tax structures that affect estate planning and wealth transfer. He also served on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where he chaired the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy, and on the House Judiciary Committee, where his subcommittee assignments included Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law. This legislative background gives Dennis a unique perspective on the statutory frameworks that govern probate, trusts, and estate administration in Florida.

What Clients Can Expect

In Dennis’s experience, families navigating probate and estate matters benefit from working with an attorney who understands not just the letter of the law, but the policy intent behind it. His years of shaping legislation at the federal level and practicing law at the local level give him a broad perspective that few attorneys can offer. Clients working with Dennis gain the benefit of his deep roots in the Lakeland community and his practical, results-oriented approach to legal problem-solving.

Community Involvement and Continued Service

Born and raised in Lakeland as the youngest of five children, Dennis has deep ties to Polk County. Following his Congressional service, he joined Southeastern University in Lakeland as a Distinguished Professor and Director of the American Center for Public Leadership. His continued engagement in education and civic leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to the Central Florida community. At The MTM Law Firm, Dennis brings that same commitment to serving families through some of the most important legal decisions they will face.