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Top-Ranked Construction Lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.218 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked construction lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida are Joseph Laurence Ackerman Jr. (LexRank 88.00), John Anthony Chiocca (88.00) and Daniel A Thomas (84.00).

This ranking lists 18 construction lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 18 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 7 to 48 years in practice.

Lawyers ranked
18
Fully verified
18 of 18

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 24.1)
    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
  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 24.1)
    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
  3. No change

    Daniel A Thomas

    Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 27 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). 4.00 points behind #2, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)

    4.00 points behind #2 (John Anthony Chiocca): Reputation −4.

  4. No change

    Richard Robert Chaves “Rick”

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 29 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 24.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
  5. No change

    Jason Christopher Maier

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 26 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 24.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
  6. No change

    Kathryn Anna Slye

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 29 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 24.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
  7. No change

    Raymond Michael Masciarella “Raymond”

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #7 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.40 points behind #6, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)

    1.40 points behind #6 (Kathryn Anna Slye): Data quality −1.4.

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

  8. No change

    Belinda A Bacon

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #8 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)

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

  9. No change

    Amy Leigh Fischer

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #9 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)

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

  10. No change

    Michael William Switzer

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #10 with 80.40: strongest in Experience (26.4/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 2.20 points behind #9, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 26.4/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)

    2.20 points behind #9 (Amy Leigh Fischer): Experience −3.6.

  11. No change

    Mark J Stempler

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #11 with 79.20: strongest in Experience (25.2/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #10, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 25.2/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)

    1.20 points behind #10 (Michael William Switzer): Experience −1.2.

  12. No change

    Roger Caldwell Brown

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #12 with 76.80: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20). 2.40 points behind #11, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)

    2.40 points behind #11 (Mark J Stempler): Experience −2.4.

  13. No change

    Mark Wah Sun Young “Mark”

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #13 with 75.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (21.6/30). 1.20 points behind #12, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 24.1)

    1.20 points behind #12 (Roger Caldwell Brown): Experience −1.2.

  14. No change

    W Scott Mason

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #14 with 73.00: strongest in Local relevance (5/5) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (20.4/30). 2.60 points behind #13, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 20)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 24.1)

    2.60 points behind #13 (Mark Wah Sun Young “Mark”): Data quality −1.4, Experience −1.2.

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

  15. No change

    Craig Stuart Distel

    McDonald Hopkins LLC · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #15 with 69.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (15.6/30). 3.40 points behind #14, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
    • Experience 15.6/30 (ranking avg 24.1)

    3.40 points behind #14 (W Scott Mason): Experience −4.8.

  16. No change

    Kyle William Ohlenschlaeger

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #16 with 68.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (14.4/30). 1.20 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
    • Experience 14.4/30 (ranking avg 24.1)

    1.20 points behind #15 (Craig Stuart Distel): Experience −1.2.

  17. No change

    Zachary L Auspitz “Zack”

    Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #17 with 63.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (9.6/30). 4.80 points behind #16, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
    • Experience 9.6/30 (ranking avg 24.1)

    4.80 points behind #16 (Kyle William Ohlenschlaeger): Experience −4.8.

  18. No change

    Ryan Adam Weiss

    Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP · West Palm Beach, FL

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

    Ranks #18 with 62.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (8.4/30). 1.20 points behind #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.4)
    • Experience 8.4/30 (ranking avg 24.1)

    1.20 points behind #17 (Zachary L Auspitz “Zack”): Experience −1.2.

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 · 18 profile pages196 facts for 18 lawyers

Construction market in West Palm Beach

LexRanked tracks 18 lawyers and 2 law firms in construction law in West Palm Beach, Florida. 18 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 22, 2026.

Lawyers
18
Law firms
2
Verified professional data
18 of 18
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
24 years18 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 West Palm Beach

What sets these West Palm Beach lawyers apart

All 18 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 18 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Construction Law 18 of 18
Years in practice 7 to 48 (median 24)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law (6 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a West Palm Beach office address and construction as a practice area on record. It compares 18 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 Palm Beach County is in Florida's Fifteenth 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.

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. 18 of the 18 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Which court handles cases in West Palm Beach?

State court cases in Palm Beach County are heard in Florida's Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

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?

18 of the 18 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Joseph Laurence Ackerman Jr., John Anthony Chiocca, Daniel A Thomas, Richard Robert Chaves “Rick” and Jason Christopher Maier 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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