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Top-Ranked Construction Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked construction lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida are Giselle Leonardo (LexRank 86.60), Oscar E Soto “Oscar” (84.00) and Gary Louis Brown (84.00).

This ranking lists 25 construction lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, 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. Their experience ranges from 15 to 47 years in practice. 1 of the 25 lists Spanish on their Florida Bar profile.

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

    Giselle Leonardo

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #1 with 86.60: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30).

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)

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

  2. No change

    Oscar E Soto “Oscar”

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #2 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 2.60 points behind #1, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    2.60 points behind #1 (Giselle Leonardo): Reputation −4.

  3. No change

    Gary Louis Brown

    Kelley Kronenberg · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #3 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 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

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

    Steven Bruce Lesser

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #4 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 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

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

    S Elysha Luken

    Smith Currie Oles LLP · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #5 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 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

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

    Lee Alan Weintraub

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #6 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 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

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

    Brian Abraham Wolf

    Smith Currie Oles LLP · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #7 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 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

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

    Daniel Te Young

    Young Foster PLLC · Fort Lauderdale, FL

    Verified
    • 34 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).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

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

    Michael Francis Barzyk

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #9 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.40 points behind #8, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.40 points behind #8 (Daniel Te Young): Data quality −1.4.

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

  10. No change

    Stacy Bercun Bohm

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #10 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

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

  11. No change

    Adam Feuer Haimo

    Smith Currie Oles LLP · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #11 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

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

  12. No change

    Steven Kendall Johnson

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #12 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

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

  13. No change

    Michael Albert Piscitelli “Mike”

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #13 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

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

  14. No change

    James Steven Helf

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #14 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

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

  15. No change

    Harry Malka

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #15 with 81.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.00 points behind #14, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.00 points behind #14 (James Steven Helf): Experience −2.4.

  16. No change

    Sean Patrick Sullivan

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #16 with 81.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

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

    Robert S. Tanner

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #17 with 80.40: strongest in Experience (26.4/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #16, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 26.4/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.20 points behind #16 (Sean Patrick Sullivan): Experience −1.2.

  18. No change

    David M. Adelstein

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #18 with 80.20: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #17, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    0.20 points behind #17 (Robert S. Tanner): Data quality −1.4.

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

  19. No change

    William Herbert Strop Jr.

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #19 with 78.85: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.35 points behind #18, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.3)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.35 points behind #18 (David M. Adelstein): Professional credentials −3.8.

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

  20. No change

    B. Michael Clark Jr. “Michael”

    Smith Currie Oles LLP · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #20 with 76.80: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 2.05 points behind #19, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    2.05 points behind #19 (William Herbert Strop Jr.): Experience −7.2.

  21. No change

    Ryan F Carpenter

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #21 with 76.60: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #20, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    0.20 points behind #20 (B. Michael Clark Jr. “Michael”): Data quality −1.4.

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

  22. No change

    Michael E Utley “Michael”

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #22 with 75.40: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.20 points behind #21 (Ryan F Carpenter): Experience −1.2.

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

  23. No change

    David L. Rosinsky

    Luks, Santaniello, Petrillo & Cohen · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #23 with 73.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (19.2/30). 2.20 points behind #22, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 24.3)

    2.20 points behind #22 (Michael E Utley “Michael”): Experience −3.6.

  24. No change

    Eugene Polyak

    Smith Currie Oles LLP · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #24 with 73.00: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (20.4/30). 0.20 points behind #23, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 24.3)

    0.20 points behind #23 (David L. Rosinsky): Data quality −1.4.

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

  25. No change

    Benjamin Wayne Dowers “Benjamin Dowers”

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

    Ranks #25 with 72.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (18/30). 1.00 points behind #24, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 24.3)

    1.00 points behind #24 (Eugene Polyak): Experience −2.4.

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 pages264 facts for 25 lawyers

Construction market in Fort Lauderdale

LexRanked tracks 32 lawyers and 4 law firms in construction law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 32 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 22, 2026.

Lawyers
32
Law firms
4
Verified professional data
32 of 32
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
23 years32 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 Fort Lauderdale

What sets these Fort Lauderdale 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. Florida Bar board certification requires at least five years of practice, substantial involvement in the field, peer review by other lawyers and judges, continuing legal education and a written exam, and it must be renewed every five years. The figures below come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile.

Fact about the 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Construction Law 25 of 25
Years in practice 15 to 47 (median 26)
Languages besides English French (1), Spanish (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school Florida State University College of Law (5 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Fort Lauderdale office address and construction as a practice area on record. It compares 25 construction lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. How we rank.

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))
Court Where cases are heard
State court circuit Broward County is in Florida's Seventeenth Judicial Circuit

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing before you sign.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask whether the lawyer you meet will handle your matter personally, and how many matters like yours they have handled recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.
  4. If you prefer to work in another language, check the languages listed on each profile.

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.

Which court handles cases in Fort Lauderdale?

State court cases in Broward County are heard in Florida's Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking construction lawyers in Fort Lauderdale?

Yes. 1 of the 25 ranked lawyers lists Spanish on their Florida Bar profile. Each LexRanked profile shows the languages on record.

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: Giselle Leonardo, Oscar E Soto “Oscar”, Gary Louis Brown, Steven Bruce Lesser and S Elysha Luken and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Giselle Leonardo scores 86.60 and Oscar E Soto “Oscar” 84.00, a gap of 2.60 points, mostly in reputation. Compare them side by side

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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