About Our Firm
Experienced Legal Representation
With offices in Palatka & Crescent City, FL, Holmes & Young, P.A. provides trusted legal counsel to clients throughout the area. Whether you need a divorce lawyer or representation for matters involving criminal defense, civil law, wills and estates, and more, our dedicated team offers tested expertise in a variety of practice areas that you can rely on.
Your legal needs matter to us. Reach out to either of our offices today to find out how we can assist you.
Criminal Defense & Family Law Matters
Estate Planning & Civil Law Services
Our Attorneys
George A. Young - Managing Partner
Attorney Young joined the firm of Holmes & Young, P.A., in February 2013. Previously, Young served as an Assistant State Attorney in Putnam County for the State Attorney’s Office, Seventh Judicial Circuit, from April 2008 until February 2013. As a prosecutor, Young was assigned to prosecute cases as a trial attorney in county, juvenile, and circuit courts, and served as the career criminal prosecutor.
Prior to attending law school in 2005, Young served on active duty in the United States Army. Young began his Army Officer career in 1994 as an Armor Platoon leader. Young later served as an Armor Company Executive Officer, Headquarters Executive Officer, Battalion Motor Officer, Staff Intelligence Officer, and Company Commander. Young served in Korea and on multiple deployments around the world as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, including Afghanistan, Kuwait, and the Horn of Africa.
Following his service, Young attended Florida Coastal School of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctorate, graduating in the top 15% of his class. While in law school, Young was named as a Dean’s Scholar and on the Dean’s List, and received the Best Advocate Award during his trial practice competition.
Along with his duties at the firm. Young also serves as an adjunct professor at St. Johns River State College, where he teaches law and legal concepts to aspiring law enforcement academy cadets. Young is a member of the Military Officers Association of America, and the Lions Club. He and his wife Julianne have three children and live locally in Putnam County.
Catherine Harris - Attorney
Catherine earned her Juris Doctor in 2013 from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida. There, she was a member of Phi Delta Phi legal honor society, which focuses on professionalism and academic excellence. Catherine also received the Book Award for Employment Law and attained the Dean’s List.
Donald E. Holmes - Senior Partner
Attorney Holmes came to Palatka in 1976 after graduating with honors from the Florida State University College of Law with his Juri Doctorate. Holmes has served as an Assistant State Attorney here in Putnam County, eventually serving as its Division Chief and primary felony trial attorney. Holmes was personally responsible for the prosecution of hundreds, if not thousands of cases. Holmes supervised the prosecution of all cases within Putnam County during his four-year term as Putnam County Division Chief, and personally conducted more than 140 jury trials.
In 1983, Holmes left the Office of the State Attorney to enter private practice and has successfully practiced in almost every area of the law, including the areas of government/municipal law; business/commercial law; real estate/land use law; marital and family law; general civil litigation; criminal law; probate; and personal injury law.
Holmes’ government/municipal clients include the City of Palatka (City Attorney from 2000 to present), and the Town of Interlachen (City Attorney from 1983 to present). In the field of commerce and business, Holmes serves as the retained attorney for many of Putnam County’s businesses and has represented many others on an “as needed” basis.
Holmes’ community involvement has included more than twenty-five years of membership in and serving a term as President of the Palatka Rotary Club; serving as President of the Putnam County Bar Association; assisting in the formation of and serving as the first President of the Putnam County Humane Society; serving as a member of and Chairman of a Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar; serving without pay as a Board Member, Board Attorney, and Board President for the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch.
Holmes holds the Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent® as assigned by the International Legal Publication of Martindale-Hubbell®, which is based upon confidential questionnaires sent to members of the legal profession. The AV Preeminent® rating is the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards.
Palatka Office Staff
Vickie Moody – Legal Secretary
Keri Smith – Legal Secretary
Melanie Bryan – Legal Secretary
Macy Cameron – Legal Secretary
Crescent City Office Staff
Cindy Palencia – Legal Secretary (fluent Spanish speaking)
Discover professional legal services personalized meet your needs by contacting us today!
Palatka Office
222 North Third St.
Palatka, FL 32177
Phone: 386-328-1111
Crescent City Office
320 N. Summit Street
Crescent City, FL 32112
Phone: 386-698-1970
Fax: 386-328-3003
Email: office@holmesandyoung.com
Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLOSURE: While we welcome inquiries about potential representation, please do not send any confidential information about any matter before we agree to represent you in that matter or we request information. Pursuant to Opinion 07-3, dated January 16, 2009, any information sent to us unilaterally may not be treated as confidential information and, depending on the circumstances, could be used against the person sending the information. Accordingly, before sending any confidential information to us, please contact us so that we may determine if we have any conflicts of interest and if we are otherwise able to represent you.