Emerald Coast Real Estate Council

Shannon graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science from Syracuse University. She earned her Juris Doctor at the University of Miami School of Law. Upon graduation, Shannon moved from her hometown of Palm Beach Gardens to Santa Rosa Beach where she was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2000 and the Federal Court Northern District of Florida in 2001.

Since 2000, Shannon has practiced in South Walton County. What started as a focus on general litigation matters, quickly transitioned to an exclusive practice in real estate transactions. She has used her early litigation experience to draft contracts, easements, and other legal documents in such a way as to avoid future conflict, which ultimately leads to a successful transaction.

Shannon handles a wide variety of real estate matters including title insurance coverage, condominium development, planned unit development, complex commercial and residential transactions and business entity development. Over the years, she has represented homeowners, lenders, realtors, owners associations, and commercial enterprises.

Shannon has served as a member of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce since 2000, sitting on several committees and has always been an active member of the South Walton community, sponsoring many events, including Via Colori, the Flutterby Festival and the South Walton Rays. She is a volunteer Guardian ad Litem for foster children in the area since early 2001. In 2002 the State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program recognized Shannon as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for the First Judicial Circuit.

Mike Chesser represents local business interests in organizing, managing and controlling their internal and external legal relationships. He has served as attorney to the Town of Shalimar since 1974, and as attorney to the Eglin Federal Credit Union since 1974. He has worked with many local governments as consultant, lawyer, and adviser in land use and housing issues. Mike served as First Lieutenant in the United States Army Artillery. He owns Old South land Title with co-shareholder and licensed title agent Gayle Hurst.

Mr. Chesser has personally handled more than 50 appeals and many jury and non-jury trials. He teaches classes for Realtors, lawyers and members of the general public on real estate and business issues. He writes a monthly article on real estate issues for both the Destin Log and the Northwest Florida Daily News.

Nathan believes in client-centered service while understanding and meeting the unique needs of each individual client. His practice areas include real estate law, business and general corporate law, probate law and probate litigation, estate planning, and community association law. Nathan is admitted to practice law in Florida and Alabama and works in the Santa Rosa Beach and Destin offices.

Prior to joining the Firm, Nathan was the Managing Attorney and In-House Counsel for a local real estate company, and he was previously in private practice in the Panhandle and in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. While in private practice in Tuscaloosa, Nathan was an Adjunct Instructor for legal seminars in the Honors College at The University of Alabama. Nathan earned his law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law, and his Bachelor of Science in business and real estate from The University of Alabama, summa cum laude.

Born and raised in lower Alabama, Nathan grew up with Destin and South Walton in his back yard. After relocating to the area, Nathan immediately set out to establish a legacy of active community involvement. He is currently Chair-Elect of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, and he serves on the Board of Directors of Westonwood Ranch in Freeport. Nathan also served as President of the Young Professionals of Walton County in 2020, and in 2019, he was chosen as Young Professional of the Year by his peers in the local Walton County community. Nathan served as President of his 2018 Leadership Walton class and President of the Emerald Coast Real Estate Council until 2019. Additionally, Nathan enjoys being active in both the Florida and Alabama state bar associations and presenting seminars to real estate agents in the Panhandle area.

Outside of his professional obligations, you can find Nathan cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide and the New Orleans Saints in the fall, traveling, enjoying his record collection, trying new recipes in the kitchen, or enjoying all of the wonderful things about living along the beautiful Emerald Coast.

Colleen C. Sachs is Senior Underwriting Counsel, Commercial Services for Attorneys’ Title Fund Services, LLC, having joined The Fund in 2019. She received both a B.A. in Political Science and English and a J.D. from the University of Mississippi. Prior to becoming an underwriting counsel, Colleen was in private practice. After practicing for several years in New Orleans, Louisiana, Colleen returned to her home state of Florida where she was a Fund Member with a practice emphasizing real estate, land use, and development law. Colleen is an active member of the Florida Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section. She is a former chair of the Florida Bar Continuing Education Committee, Chair of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section Development and Land Use committee, and a current member of the Florida Realtor-Attorney Joint Committee.

Since 1998, Scot has represented numerous individuals, lenders, business entities, and insurance companies in a broad range of litigation and transactional matters. Scot regularly litigates commercial, contract and business disputes, and real estate and title disputes. Scot also maintains a transactional real estate, business law, and estate planning and probate practice. Scot’s broad experience enhances his ability to represent clients in matters involving multiple subjects.

Attorney Copeland is please to assist his clients in our Pensacola, Miramar Beach, or Tallahassee locations.