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Overview

Marco Paredes is a Shareholder and serves as the Director of Government Affairs for the Firm.  Marco helps clients formulate and execute strategies to achieve their desired policy goals by analyzing, regularly tracking the progress of, and advocating for and affecting state legislation and regulation impacting clients’ business interests and priorities.

Marco provides clients with strategic guidance and insight, pulling from his extensive experience developing and implementing policy, his strong relationships with government decision-makers, and his broad knowledge of the process and issues before the Florida Legislature, state government agencies, and local governments. Marco uses his relationships with key elected officials and external stakeholders to navigate, influence, and facilitate favorable change in line with clients’ objectives.

Marco has over 18 years of experience in the public and private sectors. His legislative, executive agency, and public policy experience is diverse, having served as a liaison to the executive and legislative branches of government. Through varied former positions, Marco established a deep understanding of the policy-making process at the federal, state and local levels.

Prior to joining the firm, Marco served as Associate Director for Health for an influential state advocacy organization; as Vice President of Regional Governmental Affairs for a Fortune 500 managed healthcare company; as Legislative Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Health; as Senior Manager of State Governmental Affairs for one of the world's leading biotechnology companies; as Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for a major children’s hospital in Miami; and as Legislative Director for a Miami Dade County Commissioner.  

Areas of Concentration

  • Governmental & Agency Affairs
  • Bill & Amendment Drafting
  • Issues Research & Management
  • Intelligence Gathering, Evaluation & Monitoring of Legislation
  • Legislative Strategy
  • Florida Executive Branch and Agencies
  • Florida Legislature
  • Federal Agencies
  • Local Governments
  • Coalition Management
  • Public Policy
  • Public Relations
  • Health Policy
  • Ethics Compliance
  • Strategic Political Counsel

Representative Experience

  • Drafted and passed legislation that helped clarify statute ensuring that all credits against impact fee collections must be made regardless of any provision adopted by a local government. This change assisted an existing client with their ongoing negotiations with a local government.
  • Represented developer client in passing omnibus legislation that made changes to Chapters 718, 719 and 720 of Florida Statutes clarifying how community association boards can operate during a state public health emergency, streamlined community documents and increased transparency. The bill also removed an onerous conflict of interest provision from statute affecting client’s community association.
  • Worked collaboratively with a client and the National Guard Association of Florida to secure a state appropriation of $4 million for a workforce training program that allows the client to continue to provide their training services to members of Florida’s National Guard.
  • Collaborated with the Land Development group and broad developer coalition to draft and ultimately pass legislation, which allows the transfer of impact fee credits within the same impact fee zone or district, or an adjoining zone or district within the same local jurisdiction. 
  • Coordinated rate setting strategy before state agency for health care company’s Medicaid managed care business in Florida resulting in a significant rate increase as well as the creation of proposed quality measures for people with serious mental illness.
  • Led managed care business development in other states including collaborating with external stakeholders on managed care concept using new flexibility for institutions for mental disease (IMD) hospitals to treat the mentally ill who are uninsured and renewal of existing state contract for care coordination of children in out of home placement.
  • Passed state agency priority legislation on several public health issues such as health care practitioner licensing, public health emergencies, regulation of pain management clinics and newborn screening.
  • Collaborated with state agency senior leaders to direct legislative engagement and outreach on several emerging public health threats.
  • Secured federal appropriation of $4 million for various health care capital projects.
  • Passed local ordinances on such issues as campaign finance, price gouging, and the creation of a motorcycle based fire-rescue pilot program.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Tallahassee Bar Association (TBA), 2023-Present
  • Association of Florida Community Developers Inc. (AFCD), 2020-Present
    • Chair, Growth Management, Transportation & Infrastructure (GTI) Task Force, 2022-2024
    • Chair, Special Districts & Associations Task Force, 2021-2022
  • Florida Home Builders Association, 2020-Present 
    • Legal Action Committee, 2023 
  • Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists, 2020-Present
  • The Florida Bar Governmental & Public Policy Advocacy Committee, 2021-Present
  • The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section (RPPTL), 2021-Present
  • Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2019-Present
  • Florida Pregnancy Care Network, Board of Directors, 2019-Present
  • Circuit Two First Step, Board Treasurer, 2017-Present
  • Martyrs of La Florida Missions, Board of Directors, 2012-Present
  • Catholic Health Association of the United States, Executives of State Catholic Health Associations and Conferences Group, 2017-2019
  • Florida Association of Health Plans, Government Affairs, Finance, and Medicaid Committees, 2016-2017
  • Blessed Sacrament Church, Parish Council Member, 2013-2015
  • Knight Creative Communities Institute, Community Catalyst, 2012-2013
  • Literacy Volunteers of Leon County, English as Second Language Tutor, 2012-2013
  • Puerto Rico Pharmaceutical Industry Association, Government Affairs Committee 2009 – 2012
    • Chair, 2011
    • Vice Chair, 2010
  • BioFlorida, 2008-2012
    • Board of Directors, 2012
    • Government Affairs Committee, 2008-2012
  • GeorgiaBio, 2008-2012
    • Biosimilars Policy Working Group,  2012
    • Government Affairs Committee, 2008-2012
  • National Association of Children’s Hospital, Public Policy Committee, 2003-2006

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch, 2023-Present
  • Florida Construction Power 100 in City & State Florida, 2023

Publications & Presentations

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: FDACS Promulgates New Rules Addressing Agricultural Land Owned by a Foreign Principal
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2024

Events: WEBINAR: SB 328 - The 2024 Live Local Act
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar|March 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 9 | March 4-8, 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 8 | February 26-March 1, 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 7 | February 19-23, 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2024

Affordable Housing News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 6 | February 12-16, 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 5 | February 5-9, 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 4 | January 29-February 2, 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Winter 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 3 | January 22-26, 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2024

Land Development News Update, Publications: Industrial Wastewater Discharge Legislation - PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane Limits
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 2 | January 16-19, 2024
January 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 1 | January 9-12, 2024
January 2024

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week | December 11-15, 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|December 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week | December 4-7, 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|December 2023

Affordable Housing News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Florida Housing Finance Corporation Releases New Frequently Asked Questions for the Missing Middle Ad Valorem Tax Certification Program
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|December 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week 5 | November 13-17, 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|November 2023

Events: Legislative Developments Affecting the Real Estate Industry
Florida Eminent Domain Conference|November 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Special Session 2023C & Interim Committee Week 4 | November 6-9, 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|November 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Special Session 2023C Announced | November 6-9, 2023
October 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week 3 | October 16-20, 2023
October 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week 2 | October 9-13, 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|October 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week 1 | September 18-22, 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2023

Publications: Wrap-up of the 2023 Legislative Session
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|August 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2023

Events: WEBINAR: SB102 “The Live Local Act”
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar|May 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 9 | May 1-5
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 8 | April 24-28
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 6 | April 10-13
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023

Publications: At the Halfway Point of the 2023 Legislative Session
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|April 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 5 | April 3-7
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 4 | March 27-31
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023

Affordable Housing News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Live Local Act Signed Into Law
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 3 | March 20-24
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 2 | March 13-17
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 1 | March 6-10
Stearns Weaver Millers News Update|March 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #7
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #6
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #5
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #4
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2023

Publications: Live Local, Attainable Housing for Florida’s Workforce
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #3
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2023

Publications: Legislative Special Session Review & Committee Weeks
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|January 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #2
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2023

Publications: Interim Committee Week #1
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|December 2022

Publications: Hurricane Ian & Legislative Special Session
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|November 2022

Publications: 3 Florida Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|October 2022

Ad Valorem Tax News Update, Publications: Extension of Payment Deadlines Due to Hurricane Ian
Stearns Weaver Millers News Update|October 2022

Events: Florida Land Use and Environmental Law Update
Florida Eminent Domain Conference|October 2022

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2022
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2022

Government & Administrative News Update, Publications: Crème de law Admin | Summer 2022
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|August 2022

Publications: The Way Too Early 2023 Legislative Session Preview
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|August 2022

Events: A Look Back at the 2022 Legislative Session
Tallahassee Bar Association|June 2022

Government & Administrative News Update, Publications: Two New Laws Immediately Impact Florida Healthcare Providers
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2022

Events: WEBINAR: 2022 Florida Legislative Session Wrap Up
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar|April 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 9 | March 7-11
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 8 | February 28 - March 4
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |March 2022

Publications: Can You Force Your Employees to Arbitrate Sexual Harassment Claims?
BeLabor the Point Blog|March 2022

Government & Administrative News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 7 | February 21-25
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 6 | February 14-18
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What’s Developing | Winter 2022
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 5 | February 7-11
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 4 | January 31 - February 4
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 3 | January 24-28
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 2 | January 17-21
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 1 | January 11-14
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2022

Events: WEBINAR: A Preview of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar|January 2022

Publications: Florida’s New Anti-Vaccine Mandate Law
BeLabor the Point Blog|November 2021

Publications: Stuck In The Middle With You
BeLabor the Point Blog|November 2021

Events: Florida Land Use and Environmental Law Update
Florida Eminent Domain Conference|November 2021

Events: Condo Gaggle: Legislative Lay of the Land going into the 2022 Regular Session
Community Associations Institute Florida Legislative Alliance|November 2021

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Fall 2021
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2021

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 State of Emergency Lapses: Extend Your Permits NOW
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2021

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Spring 2021
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2021

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Has Permanent Alimony Met its Demise in Florida? Stay Tuned...
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2021

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 25
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2021

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 24
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |January 2021

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 23
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |December 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: EPA Approves Florida's Assumption of the Clean Water Act's Section 404 Permitting
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |December 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 22
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |October 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 21
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 20
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 19
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 18
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|August 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 17
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 16
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 15
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 14
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 13
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 12
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 11
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 10
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 9
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 8
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | COVID-19 Updates | Edition 7
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | COVID-19 Updates | Edition 6
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | COVID-19 Updates | Edition 5
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Timely and Significant COVID-19 Updates | Edition 4
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Timely and Significant COVID-19 Updates | Edition 3
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Spring 2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Timely and Significant COVID-19 Updates | Edition 2
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Publications: $2 Trillion CARES Act - What You Need To Know
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |April 2020

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Timely and Significant COVID-19 Updates
Stearns Weaver MIller News Update|March 2020

Government & Administrative News Update, Publications: Crème de law Admin | Winter 2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Winter 2019-2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|December 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Fall 2019
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2019

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Newsroom

In the Media: Tallahassee Business Podcast: Ep. 128 Live Local Act: What Does it Mean For Businesses?
Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce|April 2023

In the Media: The Florida Construction Power 100
City & State Florida|February 2023

In the Media: The 'Heat' Around the Corner
Florida Politics |September 2022

In the Media: Briefcase: Sept. 22
Tallahassee Democrat|September 2019

In the Media: Personnel note: Marco T. Paredes Jr. joins Stearns Weaver Miller
Florida Politics|August 2019

In the Media: Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics
Florida Politics|August 2019

In the Media: Director of Governmental Affairs Marco T. Paredes, Jr. Joins Tallahassee Office
Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce|August 2019

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