education

Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 2007), summa cum laude
University of South Florida (B.A., 2003), cum laude

related practices

related industries

bar admissions

Florida

court admissions

Florida State Courts
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

J. Derek Kantaskas

Associate

dkantaskas@carltonfields.com

Tampa

T: 813.229.4261

F: 813.229.4133

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Derek Kantaskas practices construction law, and represents clients during contract negotiation and formation, throughout a project and, if necessary, in all aspects of mediation, arbitration, and trial proceedings.

Mr. Kantaskas has experience resolving complex contract disputes, project delay claims, construction defects, lien and bond disputes, and non-payment for construction services. He has been selected as a "Rising Star" by Florida Super Lawyers (2011 and 2012) and an "Up and Comer" by Florida Legal Elite (2011). Mr. Kantaskas also chairs the Articles Subcommittee of the Construction Law Section for the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

Mr. Kantaskas' clientele includes representing general contractors, developers, nationwide homebuilders, subcontractors, owners, disaster remediation companies, ethanol fabricators, steel erectors, and heavy construction companies.

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Representative Experience

Trial counsel for major subcontractor on 7 nationwide ethanol production plants obtaining arbitration award in excess of $6 million for subcontractor, while also resolving several related actions in state and federal court.
Representation of national road and bridge contractor in defending arbitration claim and federal court action in excess of $2 million.
Representation of disaster remediation contractor in resolving $500,000 payment dispute and defective construction claims.
Lead trial counsel for national homebuilder in defense of several construction defect and mold disputes obtaining arbitration awards for homebuilder.
Representation of steel erector in prosecuting a $200,000 arbitration claim in the Cayman Islands.
Lead trial counsel for national homebuilder in earnest money deposit dispute obtaining arbitration award retaining full deposit for homebuilder.
Representation of national building products and materials supplier in various lien and contract actions on commercial and residential projects.
Representation of nation's largest lessor and distributor of industrial and heavy cranes in various lien and bond disputes.

Pro Bono

Representation of indigent homeowner in defeating an improper claim of lien by roofing subcontractor.

Publications

06.15.2011	Contributing Author, “Special Considerations for Federal Construction Contracts,” Florida Construction Law and Practice, 6th Ed. (2011).
03.01.2012	Co-Author, “Successfully Serving Two Masters: The Ethics of Joint Representation of Bond Sureties and Principals,” The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section, Construction Law Seminar (2012).
07.01.2010	“A Snapshot of Chinese Drywall Litigation,” Lawyer Magazine, Hillsborough County Bar Association (July 2010).
09.04.2009	“Retroactive Change to Construction Licensing Requirements,” Lawyer Magazine, Hillsborough County Bar Association (September 2009).
01.01.2006	Co-Author, “Rights and Liabilities of the Owner Architect and General Contractor,” Chapter 2 & 3 in Florida Construction Law and Practice, The Florida Bar Journal, 5th edition (2006).

Professional Recognition

Selected by Florida Super Lawyers as a Florida "Rising Star" (2011 and 2012).
Selected for inclusion in Florida Trend's 2011 Legal Elite, "Up-and-Comer."
Recipient of 2011 "One" Pro-Bono Award from the Florida Bar Foundation and the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

Professional and Civic Activities

The Florida Bar
Hillsborough County Bar Association
Construction Law Section, Articles Subcommittee, Chair
American Bar Association
Litigation Section
Young Lawyers Division
The Forum on the Construction Industry
Division 9 Member
Ferguson-White American Inn of Court
Best Program Award (2010-2011)
Board of Adjustment, City of Pinellas Park
Vice Chairman (2010-2011)
Board Member (2008-2010)
American Heart Association
Team Captain, Heart Walk (2010 and 2011)
U.S. Soccer Federation, Professional Referee (1994-2005)

Background

The Honorable Mel Martinez, U.S. Senate
Staff Intern (2007)
The Honorable Harry L. Anstead, Supreme Court of Florida
Supreme Court Extern (2006)