From 1976 to 1980, he served as an Assistant State Attorney prosecuting criminal cases. In 1980, he formed J. Stanford Lifsey PA focusing on Real Estate, Family Law and Corporate Law. Formerly a licensed builder, Lifsey has invested in and constructed residential housing. Lifsey currently maintains Florida Real Estate Brokers License and is consultant of Lifsey Real Estate and Holdings Inc. He graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Business Administration and received his law degree from South Texas College of Law.