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Ausley McMullen Mourns the Loss of Firm Leader, Ken Hart

August 19, 2022

It is with a deep sense of sadness that we announce the passing of our friend, colleague and leader, Ken Hart, who passed on Friday, August 19, 2022. Ken, both a lawyer and CPA, joined Ausley McMullen in 1979 and served as Chairman of Ausley McMullen for over 42 years.  Ken, along with his predecessor, Duby Ausley, is largely responsible for leading the firm to its distinguished stature in the legal and business community in Tallahassee and throughout Florida.  

Ken represented clients with a strategic purpose, focusing on their professional and personal goals and risks as if they were his own. In recent years, he focused his practice on commercial litigation, products liability, regulatory and constitutional issues.  Ken was among the most highly respected lawyers in Florida as evidenced, in part, by his selection to Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame since 2015; and over the years as a Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Bet-the-Company Litigation, and Tax Litigation and Controversy. Ken was formerly a CPA with Price Waterhouse in Miami and served as General Counsel for the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Born on February 1st, 1946, in Sacramento California, Ken was a triple-Seminole, receiving B.S. (1968), M.A. (1970) and J.D. (1974) degrees from Florida State University. He also played football for FSU and maintained close ties to the university throughout his life, including being on the Board of Trustees for the university for 14 years. He also gave much time and resources throughout his career to the legal, business and local community.

Ken was always challenging us to be the very best we could be. Even with the health issues he faced over the past few years, he cared about each person in the firm and selflessly focused his time, energy and considerable experience for the benefit of others. We will miss that wisdom and his sense of humor as well.

Ken’s pride and joy was being a devoted husband to his wife, Carol Lees, father to his sons, Charlie and James, along with Charlie’s wife Heather, and grandfather to his grandchildren Hudson and Lily.  The entire Ausley McMullen team extends its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his family.