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Top-Ranked Construction Lawyers in Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.225 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked construction lawyers in Florida are Joseph Laurence Ackerman Jr. (LexRank 88.00), John Anthony Chiocca (88.00) and Thomas F Icard Jr. (88.00).

This ranking lists the top 25 of the 415 construction lawyers LexRanked tracks across Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. They practice in 11 cities, led by Miami.

Lawyers ranked
25
Fully verified
25 of 25

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

  1. No change

    Joseph Laurence Ackerman Jr.

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 48 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 88.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (8/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  2. No change

    John Anthony Chiocca

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 88.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (8/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  3. No change

    Thomas F Icard Jr.

    Independent practice · Sarasota, FL

    Verified
    • 52 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 88.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (8/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  4. No change

    Kimberly A Ashby “Kim”

    Kirwin Norris, P.A. · Winter Park, FL

    Verified
    • 45 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 88.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (8/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  5. No change

    Giselle Leonardo

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 86.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (8/20). 1.40 points behind #4, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.40 points behind #4 (Kimberly A Ashby “Kim”): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  6. No change

    Gregory Scott Martin

    Independent practice · Maitland, FL

    Verified
    • 36 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 86.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (8/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  7. No change

    Peter J. Sweeney Jr.

    Independent practice · Vero Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 22 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 84.40: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (26.4/30). 2.20 points behind #6, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
    • Experience 26.4/30 (ranking avg 23.7)

    2.20 points behind #6 (Gregory Scott Martin): Experience −3.6.

  8. No change

    Alexander Edward Barthet

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.40 points behind #7, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    0.40 points behind #7 (Peter J. Sweeney Jr.): Reputation −4.

  9. No change

    Jose Antonio Llerena

    The Barthet Firm · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  10. No change

    George Richard Truitt Jr.

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  11. No change

    Conrad Jorge Lazo

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  12. No change

    Christine Marie Hoke

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  13. No change

    Oscar E Soto “Oscar”

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

    Verified
    • 38 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  14. No change

    Daniel A Thomas

    Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  15. No change

    Steven Paul Befera “Steven”

    Independent practice · Coral Gables, FL

    Verified
    • 42 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  16. No change

    Bruce Douglas Partington

    Independent practice · Pensacola, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  17. No change

    Michelle Anne Beane Kane “Shelly”

    Bennett Legal Group, P.A. · Maitland, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  18. No change

    Karl Egnar Pearson

    Pearson Mohre Pastis Christianson · Maitland, FL

    Verified
    • 41 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  19. No change

    Jerry Peter Brodsky “Jerry”

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  20. No change

    Robert Voss Fitzsimmons

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  21. No change

    Ralf R Rodriguez

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  22. No change

    Michael Justin Yates

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  23. No change

    Denise M. Anderson

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  24. No change

    Michael R Carey

    Carey O’Malley Whitaker Mueller · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 47 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  25. No change

    Trenton Hugh Cotney

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 25 profile pages284 facts for 25 lawyers

Construction market in Florida

LexRanked tracks 415 lawyers and 55 law firms in construction law in Florida. 415 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
415
Law firms
55
Verified professional data
415 of 415
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
22 years415 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in Florida

What sets these Florida construction lawyers apart

All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar, which only about one in twenty Florida lawyers achieves in any field. The figures come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile, checked in November 2026.

Fact about the 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Construction Law 25 of 25
Years in practice 22 to 52 (median 34)
Languages besides English Spanish (6), French (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer

Where do Florida's top construction lawyers practice?

7 of the 25 practice in Miami; the table shows every city.

City Lawyers in this ranking
Miami 7
Tampa 4
Maitland 3
West Palm Beach 3
Fort Lauderdale 2
Coral Gables 1
Orlando 1
Pensacola 1
Sarasota 1
Vero Beach 1
Winter Park 1

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with an office in a Florida city we cover and construction as a practice area on record. It ranks every construction lawyer LexRanked tracks in Florida by the same score and shows the top 25. How we rank.

Find a construction lawyer in your city

A lawyer near you knows the local courts; each city has its own ranking of construction lawyers.

Florida rules to know

Florida's Construction Lien Law sets strict deadlines for notices and liens, and a construction defect claim needs written notice to the contractor before any lawsuit.

Rule What it means
Notice to owner Subcontractors and suppliers without a contract with the owner must serve it within 45 days of starting work (Fla. Stat. § 713.06(2)(a))
Claim of lien Recorded no later than 90 days after the final furnishing of labor, services or materials (§ 713.08(5))
Enforcing a lien A lawsuit must be filed within 1 year after the claim of lien is recorded, or the lien expires (§ 713.22(1))
Defect claims: presuit notice Written notice of claim at least 60 days before suing, or 120 days for an association of more than 20 parcels (§ 558.004)
Defect claims: deadlines 4 years, generally from the certificate of occupancy or completion, and never more than 7 years for latent defects (§ 95.11(3)(b))

Cases are heard in the county where they arise; see which judicial circuit covers each county.

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, prefer a lawyer who regularly works in your county, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask how many matters like yours the lawyer has handled in your county recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

How long does a contractor have to file a lien in Florida?

A claim of lien must be recorded no later than 90 days after the lienor's final furnishing of labor, services or materials, and a lawsuit to enforce it must follow within 1 year of recording.

Do I have to notify the contractor before suing over a construction defect?

Yes. Under chapter 558 you must serve a written notice of claim at least 60 days before filing suit, or 120 days for an association representing more than 20 parcels, giving the contractor a chance to inspect and offer to repair.

How long do I have to sue for a construction defect in Florida?

Generally 4 years, counted from the certificate of occupancy, certificate of completion or abandonment of construction. For latent defects the time runs from discovery, but no action may be brought more than 7 years after those dates.

Who certifies construction lawyers in Florida?

The Florida Bar certifies lawyers in Construction Law after at least five years of practice, peer review and a written exam.

What does Board Certified in Construction Law mean?

It is a credential from The Florida Bar for lawyers with substantial experience in the field who have passed peer review and a written exam. 25 of the 25 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Where are the best construction lawyers in Florida?

Of the 25 lawyers in this ranking, 7 practice in Miami, 4 practice in Tampa, 3 practice in Maitland. Each city also has its own ranking.

Do I need a construction lawyer in my own city?

Any lawyer licensed by The Florida Bar may practice anywhere in Florida, but a lawyer who regularly appears in your county knows its judges and procedures.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Joseph Laurence Ackerman Jr., John Anthony Chiocca, Thomas F Icard Jr., Kimberly A Ashby “Kim” and Giselle Leonardo and others.

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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