Rankin began his business career as an accountant, with his family firm in Bradenton, Florida. Rankin practiced accounting with that firm from 1972 through 1982. Rankin became an attorney and began practice with the Law Firm of Parks & Rankin. Rankin practiced with this firm until May of 1992, when he opened his sole practice since May of 1992. Rankin has been a resident of the lower west coast of
Florida for over 51 years, where his family has resided for over 75 years. Rankin was board certified in Wills, Trusts & Estates on August 1, 1989 and remained so until July 2004. Rankin became board certified in Real Estate on August 1, 1993 and remained board certified until July 2003. Rankin was duly appointed to be a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission, Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Collier County Foreclosure Task Force, 2010 to present; VA Accredited, 2010 to present; Florida Association of Realtors Forms Committee, 2012 to present; Vice Chair Congressional District 14 Republican Party of Florida, 2010 to present; Chairman Congressional District 25 Republican Party of Florida, 2012 to present. Rankin's mother, "D", who has over 50 years of accounting experience, has worked with Douglas L. Rankin's practice since 1989 and continued to do so until 2013. Further, two of the staff members of the Law Firm of Douglas L. Rankin have been recognized on a State and local level for their outstanding professional achievements. One staff member, Deborah Jesse, was elected Secretary of the Year in 1994 by the Naples Area Chamber of Commerce, won an award for Outstanding Local Membership Chairman for 1995-1996 from the Florida Association of Legal Secretaries, she was one of the top three runners up for Florida Legal Secretary of the Year in 1997 and was elected Legal Support Professional of the Year for Collier County for 2000-2001 and is now a Florida Registered Paralegal.
