MEET OUR LEGAL TEAM

All of our partners are board certified in construction law

FIRM PARTNERS

Don Niesen

Mr. Niesen devotes his practice to construction law and complex commercial litigation. He is board certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in construction law.

Jeff Price

As a member of The Florida Bar and with his background as a building contractor, Jeff became a charter member of the Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Task Force which set the educational and practice standards for Florida attorneys who wish to become board certified in construction law.

Dave Worthy

David is Florida Bar Board Certified in Construction Law, and has experience in jury and non-jury trials, arbitrations before privately-appointed panels and panels appointed under the American Arbitration Association rules, administrative law proceedings and tribal court.

John Campo

As a Board Certified “expert” in Construction Law and a member of the Florida Bar’s Construction Law Committee, John devotes his practice to construction development and construction litigation matters throughout Florida and the Southeast.

ADDITIONAL LEGAL TEAM MEMBERS

Christopher W. Lewis

Ashleigh E. Beatty

The Florida Bar has created a separate standard beyond the general practice attorney called “certification.” The Florida Supreme Court has passed rules allowing for certification in Construction Law. After at least five years of practice, devoting a substantial amount of effort to nothing but construction-related matters, some attorneys are allowed to petition for status as being Board Certified in Construction Law. “Time-in-grade” is not enough; among other requirements, attorneys must have at least five independent attorneys vouch for their ability and knowledge of Construction Law and ethical behavior.

Attorneys must study and sit for an intense test concerning all phases of construction law – from bonds to contracts, and design liability to damages. After achieving certification, attorneys must obtain twice the number of hours of continuing education that a non-certified attorney must have each year. Then attorneys must “re-certify” every few years. It’s not easy, and there are fewer than 320 attorneys certified in Construction Law in Florida. In comparison, there are over 98,000 lawyers licensed in Florida.

Being Board Certified in Construction Law recognizes an attorney’s special knowledge, skills and proficiency in Construction Law and professionalism and ethics in practice.

ConstructionLaw-2Visit Floridabar.org/certification for more information.

Areas of Practice

We represent parties in construction disputes whether they are public or private owners, general contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers or materialmen. If you have a legal problem, select who you are from the list below:

Commercial Owners / Developers

As the owner or developer of commercial property you are presented with a multitude of construction related issues. During planning there may be zoning and planning issues that must be addressed. Then there is the question of development partnerships or joint ventures.
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Homeowners

We will assist you before, during and after construction projects. We can review your construction contract and proposals. We can assist with any disputes during construction. If problems arise, we can help figure out what the problem is, who is responsible, and get you back on track.
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General Contractors

Contracting has never been more complicated, but we can help. We can assist you by being proactive in responding to your needs before problems arise in your business office or on your next project.
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Sub Contractors

Subcontractors remain the backbone of the construction industry. But, in todays economy, subcontracting has never been more complicated. Allow us to assist you by being proactive in responding to your needs before problems arise in your business office or on your next project.
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Materialmen and Suppliers

Are you growing weary of relying on the credit worthiness of your customers? As you may have seen, relying on personal guarantees is not the answer. There is a solution, and we can help.
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Architects

Today, an architect can be sued individually, or in it’s corporate capacity, under numerous theories of liability. Our firm has broad experience representing and defending design professionals.
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Engineers

You know it’s a complicated world, because you help engineer it. As a licensed engineer you may have responsibilities throughout the design, construction and turn-over phases of the project. We can help you at any phase of the project.
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Bonding Agents

We know and work with your peer bonding agents in Florida and throughout the southeast. They have learned to know and trust us; they routinely refer their construction contacts to us for quality legal help.
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Surety

Our practice includes representing sureties in Contract Defaults, payment and performance bond claims resolution, litigation and arbitration involving disputes arising from public, private and Federal construction projects.
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