Our Legal Team

Blue Ocean Title Lawyers - Justin, Marla and Leigh (from left to right)

Our Legal Team

Marla K. Buchanan

MARLA K. BUCHANAN, ESQ.

Chief Executive Officer & General Counsel

 

Ms. Buchanan is the Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel for Blue Ocean Title, a full- service title company. She has over 24 years of experience in business and the legal profession. Ms. Buchanan oversees operations for all three office locations and serves as legal adviser. Ms. Buchanan’s focus is on building a strong team of professionals to serve Blue Ocean Title’s growing customer base.

Prior to joining Blue Ocean Title, Ms. Buchanan was a partner at the prestigious law firm of Rogers Towers, PA. and COO and General Counsel for a growing manufacturing company. Her legal and business experience is a winning combination that brings together customer service with legal expertise.

Ms. Buchanan earned her undergraduate degree and law degree from the University of Florida. She has utilized her legal skills to represent underprivileged individuals in her community and has been recognized with the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in the past. In addition, Ms. Buchanan has served on the Board of BEAM, a local food bank and service provider for the poor. In addition, Ms. Buchanan was a Founding Member and Board Member for the not for profit, The Missing Link, formed to assist victims of domestic violence.

Education

University of Florida, B.A. 1991
University of Florida, Levin College of Law, J.D. 1994

Justin G. Cerrato, Esq.

Justin G. Cerrato, Esq.

Attorney and Vice President of Operations

Justin was named Vice President of Blue Ocean Title in July 2019. Aside from managing the title operations of Blue Ocean Title, Justin maintains a law practice focused on residential and commercial real estate transactions, business/asset sales, representing homeowners in loss mitigation related negotiations, general contract law, probate, estate planning, business entity formation and other general business matters. Justin earned with his juris doctorate degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in two and a half years.

Prior to law school, Justin received a degree in business management from the University of North Florida, and attended UNF on an athletic scholarship, earning All American honors in baseball. Following his junior year, Justin was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies and spent three years competing at the professional ranks.

Originally from Clearwater Beach, Florida, Justin grew very fond of the beach. Naturally, Justin and his wife Erin now reside in Jacksonville Beach. A native Floridian, Justin spends his free time golfing, biking, or simply enjoying the outdoors with Erin and his two daughters, Kennedy Ann and Addyson Rose. Justin commits what free time he has outside of work and family to church, fellowship, and a commitment to serving on a committee for The First Tee of North Florida and the Habitat for Humanity board of directors.

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” – Tim Notke

There are plenty of talented people in the world, but talent is not enough. What separates the good from the great is determination and work ethic.

Education

Florida Coastal School Of Law
University of North Florida
Graduated from UNF in 2006
Graduated from FL Coastal in 2010

Leigh Scales

Leigh Scales, Esq.

Attorney

 

Leigh is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Law. After law school, she practiced law with the law firms of Rogers, Towers, Bailey, Jones & Gay, P.A. and Marks, Gray, Conroy & Gibbs, P.A. Leigh then joined the faculty of Florida Coastal School of Law where she remained until joining Blue Ocean Title. Leigh is a member of The Florida Bar and is admitted to practice before all Florida courts, as well as the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. Leigh volunteers regularly as a pro bono attorney for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.