Megan Beley Withrow

Megan Beley Withrow was born in Naples, Florida and has been a Florida resident for most of her life. She attended Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia where she received her B.A. in English and Writing. After graduating from college, Megan briefly taught high school Honors English at Lely High School in Naples, Florida while attending Florida Gulf Coast University's graduate program for English Education. She then attended St. Thomas University, School of Law in Miami, Florida and graduated with a Juris Doctoral degree in 2006. While in law school, Megan was a member of the Animal Legal Defense Fund wherein she was able to study and participate in animal related legal matters. After Law School, Megan became a prosecutor for the 20^th Judicial Circuit and worked in the Charlotte County Office until 2010. While at the State Attorney's Office, Megan handled criminal cases from the initial filing to the final verdict, from the simplest of misdemeanors to capital felonies. She handled jury and non-jury trials as well as various hearings on a wide array of legal issues. While with the State, Megan gained a great amount of courtroom experience making her comfortable and capable of handing legal proceedings in a competent and confident manner. Megan spent her final year as a prosecutor assigned to the sex crimes and crimes against children division.

Megan was in America's Who's Who among High School Students, Who's Who among College Students and most recently Who's Who among Young Professionals. She graduated at the top of her class from Lely High School and Sweet Briar College and was actively involved in campus life as well as various clubs and organizations.

Megan Beley Withrow is also an avid horse lover, rider and competitor. Horses always have been, and continue to be an intricate and special part of her life.  When not in the office, Megan can always be found at the barn or in the show ring. Her introduction to the horse world came at a very young age when she received her first pony. As a child she competed in the hunter/ jumper ring and then dabbled in eventing as a teenager. While attending Sweet Briar College in Virginia, Megan, along with her horse (who also lived on campus) enjoyed regular shows, fox hunts, Hunter paces and riding and training at the college. For her senior thesis Megan drafted what she titled "Horse Imagery in Shakespeare." Today she continues to compete with her hunter jumpers and has expanded her interests to combined and pleasure driving. Many of her closest friends are also members of the horse community. Being a true "horse person", Megan is able to combine a lifetime of horse experience with the law, providing those in the horse community with horse savvy legal representation.

What is Equine Law?

It is not a specific body of law; it is more of an industry niche in the practice of law.  An equine lawyer is a practitioner who knows the equine industry (i.e. how they do business) and knows the laws that affect horse owners and businesses.  Those in the horse world understand there is a unique dynamic to the industry, and simply knowing the law is not sufficient to represent equine law clients.  It is important that an equine lawyer understand and appreciate the nuances and intricacies within the industry.

Do I need an Equine Lawyer?        

If you own a boarding stable, train horses, breed or sell then the answer is yes. It is extremely important that anyone involved in the horse industry on any level consult with an equine attorney to protect themselves and others.

Services offered  include:

• General Equine and Horse Law
• Lease Agreements
• Breeding Contracts
• Liability Releases
• Training Agreements
• Horse Transportation Liability Releases and Agreements
• Equine Litigation Support
• Purchase and Sale Agreements
• Installment Sale Agreements
• Equine Insurance Claims