Top best Land Use & Zoning Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale | 69 available

Quentin E. Morgan focuses his practice on governmental affairs, land development and local government law, public entity employee pension and post-retirement law, as well as estate, business and financial transactions, litigation, and wills, trusts and probate proceedings.. Mr. Morgan is a member of the Florida and Broward County Bar Associations and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. He is Past Chairperson of the Mental Health Association of Southeast Florida’s board of directors, President of University of Florida’s South Florida Association of Black Alumni, a member of the boards of directors for 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale and the T.J. Reddick Bar Association, and a member of the Ethics Task Force of the Broward League of Cities.. Additionally, Mr. Morgan is AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of The National Black Lawyers Top 100. He has been named one of “South Florida’s Most Powerful and Influential Black Leaders” by Legacy Magazine in 2017, “Lawyer of the Year for Employee Benefits and Pension Plans” by Finance Monthly Magazine in 2017, “Florida Local Government Law Expert of the Year” by Corp America in 2016, and “Best for Local Government Law” in Florida by Acquisition International in 2015. He is also the recipient of the T.J. Reddick Bar Association’s 2018 Professional Development Award and the University of Florida Association of Black Alumni’s 2018 Philanthropist Award.

Mr. Saavedra was born in Havana, Cuba and is fluent in English and Spanish. He received his B.A. in 1979 from the University of Connecticut and his J.D. in 1986 from the George Washington University School of Law, while working as Staff Assistant for Congressman William Lehman in Washington, D.C.Mr. Saavedra is the founding member of our firm, established in 1989. Admitted to the Bars of Florida, Connecticut and Washington D.C., Mr. Saavedra has been granted the distinction of an AV rating by the Martindale Hubbell Association. Mr. Saavedra specializes in corporate and commercial transactions, including general aviation related transactions, mergers and acquisitions, complex commercial transactions, land development, property and casualty claims, and business transactions as well as derivative litigation, including transactions associated with the Bahamas and Costa Rica. Most notably, during his career Mr. Saavedra has represented sellers, purchasers and lenders in approximately $3.2 billion ($3,200,000,) dollars in cumulative corporate acquisitions and real estate transactions in a variety of asset purchases, land development transactions, complex commercial refinancings, long-term leasehold and subleasehold financings, and distressed debt acquisitions. In 2008, 2009 and 2011, Mr. Saavedra served as corporate counsel for a corporate client in handling a $168 million bond and conventional related financing with SunTrust Bank, N.A., TD Bank, Bank United. In 2013, Mr. Saavedra served as corporate borrower counsel for a $200 million senior credit facility/syndication, providing leadership and coordination among his corporate client and 7 national lenders involved for all aspects of the negotiation and documentation involved in the transaction.From fixed base operators to international & domestic institutional clients and former international political figures, Mr. Saavedra is pleased to represent diverse clientele in corporate and strategic matters.

Michael H. Merino, the Firm’s principal, is a Florida Bar Board Certified in Real Estate Law. Mr. Merino received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University. After graduating from Florida Atlantic University in 1992, Mr. Merino attended Mercer University School of Law near Atlanta, Georgia where he received his Juris Doctorate Degree in Law. Mr. Merino also studied International Law and International Finance and Transactions in Madrid, Spain through the international law program sponsored by the College of William and Mary.. Mr. Merino is one of the approximately 400 lawyers in the State of Florida who is recognized by the Florida Bar as an expert in the area of real estate law. Mr. Merino has been practicing law in Florida since 1995. He is a member in good standing with the Florida Bar and is a member of the Florida Bar Real Property, Trust and Probate Section. He is a member of the United States District Court for the Southern District.. He is fluent in Spanish. He is a member of various associations such as the American Bar Association, American Land Title Association, Title Insurance through Lawyers and is a title insurance agent for Old Republic National Title, Fidelity National Title Group, Chicago Title and Commonwealth Title. He is also a member of the Florida Attorneys Saving Homes Program (FLASH) which assists distressed property owners who cannot afford to hire an attorney.. Mr. Merino is a frequent lecturer who has spoken to diverse groups on various topics ranging from foreclosure litigation and loan restructuring to asset protection, entity structuring and tax and estate planing for non-resident aliens.  He is also lectured extensilvely on investor topics, commercial real estate topics, Florida land trusts, FACTA, Common Reporting Standard, international estate and tax planning, offshore entities and trusts and many other real estate and consumer law related topics.

Keith M. Poliakoff (Shareholder). Professional ExperienceMr. Poliakoff  is a Shareholder and is the Co-Chair of the Firm's Government Law Group. As Attorney to the Town of Southwest Ranches, he has substantial knowledge and experience in issues unique to Florida governmental entities including issues such as Annexation, Municipal Liability, RLUIPA, Bert Harris Act, Conflict Resolution, the Public Records Act, Government in Sunshine and laws pertaining to ethics and elections. He has worked on virtually all matters effecting a municipal government including the creation of Comprehensive Plans, developing zoning codes, code enforcement, drafting Ordinances and Resolutions, and he has presided over countless meetings and quasi-judicial matters. Further, Mr. Poliakoff has defended the Town in numerous litigation matters including a lawsuit challenging the municipality's incorporation.  Mr. Poliakoff has counseled numerous elected officials on all aspects of ethics laws, election laws, disclosure requirements and conflicts of interest, and has authored numerous opinions on these subject matters.. In addition to his representation of municipalities, Mr. Poliakoff represents multi-family residential and commercial properties on issues relating to land use and zoning, and has substantial experience in obtaining entitlements. He works closely with local public officials and provides guidance to his many business clients on the complex governmental processes including public sector procurements, affordable housing, developer agreements, and legislative initiatives. In 2000 Mr. Poliakoff developed an annexation bill, which still serves as the model for annexation bills throughout the state. He also has considerable experience with Community Redevelopment Agencies and has been involved in numerous redevelopment efforts throughout Broward County.. In 2005 Mr. Poliakoff was appointed to the Broward County Land Preservation Board by the Broward County Commission. This Board is responsible for reviewing all land acquisitions in Broward County, specifically overseeing the $400 million bond issue which was approved to preserve and reclaim over 1,400 acres of open space in Broward County and repair and enhance the County's recreational parks.. Activities & Memberships Mr. Poliakoff participates in many charitable organizations and community events. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Poliakoff was awarded an Alexander Fellowship where he clerked for 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Maryanne Trump Barry. Mr. Poliakoff also gained valuable experience as a freelance producer for NBC News and as an assistant producer at CNN in New York.. Honors 2002 Leadership Hollywood 26 2006 Florida Trends Legal Elite 2008 Florida Trends Legal Elite 2009 South Florida's Best Lawyers 2009, 2010 Best Lawyers in America (Government Relations Law). Bar Admissions Florida New York Bar. EducationJ.D., Benjamin Cardozo School of Law (Order of the Coif - top 10%, cum laude)B.S., Syracuse University, magna cum laude

Board Certified City, County, and Local Government Lawyer