Overview

Florida is a highly regulated state, with unique procedural and substantive rules governing its state agencies, their authority and the ability to challenge their actions.  We have experience helping clients navigate through state actions, as well as actions taken at the local and federal levels.

Rule Challenges and Rule Making

We represent clients affected by a government agency’s rules or policies. Our team routinely engages with federal, state, and local government offices throughout Florida to help effectuate a non-litigated resolution. Our Tallahassee attorneys, with a physical presence near state agency decision-makers, routinely assist in developing preventative and proactive measures to help mitigate our clients’ complex business problems. In the event an informal resolution cannot be found, our administrative litigation team has experience challenging agency rules and policies. 

Contesting Agency Action

Our administrative litigation team assists clients after an agency or local government has taken, or intends to take, action affecting the client’s interests. We have experience representing clients in matters involving licensure and discipline, bid protests and procurement, zoning challenges, Medicaid overpayment disputes, permitting, and enforcement, among other issues.

  • Administrative Litigation and Appeals
  • Administrative Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Business, Professional and Facility Licenses Proceedings
  • Environmental Permitting, Compliance and Enforcement
  • Government Contracts, Bid Protests and Procurement
  • Government Investigations and Audits
  • Non-Profit and Trade Association Formation, Compliance and Management
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Rulemaking and Rule Challenges
  • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Investigations and Enforcement Actions
  • State and Local Taxation
  • Sunshine Law, Public Records Act and Open Government Laws Litigation

What Makes Us Different

Experience Across Entities

  • 16 federal agencies, commissions and boards
  • 50+ Florida agencies, offices, board and commissions
  • All 5 Florida water management districts
  • Countless local government entities – cities, counties, county constitutional officers, and school districts

Administrative Litigation Experience

  • State – Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) and District Courts of Appeal
  • Federal – District court, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Defended a permit all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court

Former High Level Positions

  • Chief Deputy, Florida Attorney General’s Office
  • Managing Attorney for a Florida Water Management District
  • Senior Attorney for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • Senior Assistant Attorney General for Florida’s Economic Crimes Antitrust Division
  • Special Procurement Counsel and Senior Attorney for the Florida Department of Management Services

Participation In Development of State Regulatory Programs

  • Clean Air Act Title V Permitting Program
  • State Wastewater Permitting Program
  • Imperiled Species Management Plan
  • Imperiled Species Conservation and Permitting Guidelines
  • Wellhead Protection Program
  • Water Quality Standards
  • Mine Reclamation Program
  • Statewide Environmental Resource Permitting Program

Certifications

  • Susan Stephens – Florida Bar Board Certification in State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice

Notable Experience

  • Successful defense of multiple state permits against attacks by third parties, including driveway permits, air curtain incinerator permits, phosphate mine permits and reclamation plans, limestone mine permits, commercial development permits.
  • Successful defense of licensures and permits in disciplinary and enforcement actions ranging from security services to stormwater violations.
  • Successful bid protests and appeals at the municipal level involving multimillion-dollar contracts for global technology company.
  • Provide advice and counsel to multinational corporations regarding municipal procurement responsive strategies and related compliance aspects.
  • Successful defense of multimillion-dollar Medicaid overpayment claim.
  • Successful defense of billion dollar healthcare procurements.

Team

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