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With more than 40 years of experience in the real estate development and construction field, Mike provides advice and counsel to developers, project owners, contractors, design professionals, and other participants in the real estate arena.
Working at development companies gave Mike hands-on experience with the construction, financing, and marketing of commercial buildings, apartment buildings, and residential subdivisions. Licensed as a Florida building contractor since 1984, he has unique insight into the day-to-day challenges associated with construction projects.
After graduating from Georgetown Law School in Washington D.C. in 1989, Mike worked in large Washington D.C. firms providing legal services to multi-national real estate developers and contractors and advising the federal government regarding large development and construction projects.
In 2005, Mike was awarded one of the first specialist certifications by the Florida Bar in Construction Law. This is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar for the competency and experience of attorneys in the area of construction law.
When founding Southern Legal, Mike’s goal was to bring the sophisticated practice of a large firm to a Florida coastal town.
Publications
- When Should the Judge Keep Expert Testimony From the Jury?
Inside Litigation, Volume 1, Number 6 (April 1987)
Article analyzing the admissibility of expert evidence in civil litigation.
Co-written with Professor Paul F. Rothstein, Georgetown University Law Center - Should Voluntary Abandonment Be a Defense To Attempted Crimes?
American Criminal Law Review, Volume 26, Number 2 (Fall 1988)
Note examining current cases, statutes, and commentary regarding the use of the abandonment defense in crimes of attempt. - Development Agreements After Nollan v. California Coastal Commission
Urban Lawyer, Volume 22, Number 1 (Winter 1990)
Article analyzing the impact of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case on land use litigation involving development agreements, impact fees, and proffers.