education

University of Florida College of Law (J.D., 1997),
Boston University (B.A., 1994), cum laude

related practices

related industries

bar admissions

Florida

court admissions

Florida State Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

Kenneth A. Tinkler

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ktinkler@carltonfields.com

Tampa

T: 813.229.4245

F: 813.229.4133

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Ken Tinkler’s practice involves a wide variety of government law issues with a focus on land use, environmental & energy permitting, ethics regulation and election law. His experience includes representation of individuals and corporations dealing with federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as representation of county government and constitutional officers. He has helped clients navigate a broad range of government law matters, including zoning, future land use plans, real estate due diligence reviews, ad valorem tax assessments, property tax appeals, code enforcement, variances, annexations, alcohol beverage regulation, tax incentives, and economic development. Mr. Tinkler routinely handles public hearings and meetings on behalf of clients. He also advises on parliamentary procedure questions, Florida’s Sunshine Law and public records regulation, and Florida Constitution and home rule issues related to City and County Charters.

Mr. Tinkler also helps clients solve issues involving federal, state, regional, and local environmental regulators, including energy facility siting, Chinese drywall, submerged lands leases, and redevelopment of brownfields.

His election law experience includes representation of local government officials handling election procedures and Federal Voting Rights Act requirements, along with advising clients on campaign finance reporting and qualifying for election. He maintains a personal blog on these issues at www.floridaelectionlaw.com.

Mr. Tinkler is board certified in City, County and Local Government Law by The Florida Bar.

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Representative Experience

Election Law

Represented a Florida local government dealing with Department of Justice Voting Rights Act preclearance and election law issues and obtained the needed approval in a timely manner, saving the local government the expense of a special election.

Represented a Florida Supervisor of Elections during Presidential Election year, including handling various legal disputes over voting procedures and ballot eligibility.

Advised several clients on Florida and federal campaign finance regulations and ways to incorporate the regulations into corporate procedures and employee manuals.

Resolved client issues related to candidate appearances and campaign finance regulation.

Ethics Regulations

Guided former county official through defense of ethics complaint and criminal investigation, along with contract and severance dispute.

Advised several clients on state and local ethics requirements applicable to their operations, including clients in the energy, non-profit, real estate development, and construction sectors.

Sunshine Law and Public Records

Assisted multiple private entity clients with resolving the impact of Florida’ Sunshine and Public Records laws on their operations, due to their government contracts and agreements.

Resolved investigation of local civic group’s public responsibilities under Florida’s Sunshine and Public records laws.

Land Use

Representation of clients throughout the state dealing with complex zoning and redevelopment matters due to foreclosure and changes to economic conditions to ensure project viability.

Resolved clients’ issues related to transfer of development approvals, impact fee credits, and site development permits.

Routinely handle transfer of operating permits for clients’ business operations in Florida.

Environmental Permitting

Obtained approval of several brownfield site designations throughout the state from local and state government officials.

Resolved clients’ issues involving submerged lands leases and environmental resource permit approvals for marina development and construction.

Resolved client’s local environmental regulatory issues related to Chinese drywall.

Assisted client in determining viability of large energy pipeline installation, including coordination of the federal, state, and local agencies involved.

Other Permitting

Representation of major wireless provider in code enforcement dispute over tower design and configuration.

Representation of national non-profit in code enforcement dispute over permitted child welfare operations.

Guided client through new business startup issues connected with the state health department.

Pro Bono

Friends of Carrollwood Cultural Center, Inc. – Legal counsel for issues related to the non-profit’s public/private partnership, Sunshine Law, and public records obligations tied to their operation of the Carrollwood Cultural Center.

Publications

05.02.2013	Client Alert: "Governor Signs Priority Legislation Amending Florida's Ethics Regulation & Campaign Finance Laws" (May 2, 2013).
11.08.2012	“Local Government Economic Development Property Tax Exemptions,” Carlton Fields Web article (November 8, 2012).
06.04.2012	Client Resource: “Florida Redistricting in 2012: The Political and Legal Drama,” (June 4, 2012).
05.28.2010	Client Alert: PACE (Energy Finance Districts) Now Enabled in Florida (May 2010).
01.12.2009	Chapter Author, "Florida Election Procedural and Legal Changes from 2000 to 2008: A Primer," America Votes! A Guide To Modern Election Law and Voting Rights [Supplement], Chapter Two (January 2009).

Speaking Engagements

Speaker, “Voter ID and Election Law - the electoral landscape in 2012,” ABA Law Student Division's 2012 Fall Regional Circuit Meeting, Tampa, FL (September 29, 2012)
Speaker, “Florida Election Law Update,” Plant City Bar Association, Plant City, FL (September 14, 2012)
Speaker, “Swamps & Sinkholes – an Ethics Update for Land Use and Environmental Lawyers, ” 2012 Environmental and Land Use Law Section Annual Conference, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (August 9-11, 2012)
Speaker, “May you live in interesting times: Florida Land Use in 2012,” Plant City Bar Association, Plant City, FL (June 8, 2012)
Co-Panelist, “Funding and Legal Framework for Florida’s Transportation Future,” at the APA Florida 2010 Annual Conference, Tampa, FL (September 15, 2010)
Panelist, “Amendment 4 and Florida Election Law,” at the Environmental and Land Use Law Section (ELULS) Annual Update, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (August 13, 2010)
Co-Presenter, “Due Diligence Investigations,” at the Florida Legal Education Association’s 2010 Real Estate Team Seminar, Tampa, FL (April 16, 2010)
Speaker, “Planning, Transit and Voting: Comprehensive Plans, Transit Oriented Development and Amendment 4,” at the Pinellas County Economic Development Council Quarterly Meeting (January 21, 2010)
Speaker, “Making Brownfields Work on RCRA Permitted Sites,” at the 12th Annual Florida Brownfields Conference and Exhibition, Tampa, FL (November 1-4, 2009)
Presenter, “Land Use Planning for Renewable Energy Generation: Integration into Development Projects,” at The Florida Bar’s Environment and Land Use Law Section Annual Update, Amelia Island, FL (August 20-22, 2009)
Presenter, “Green Buildings, Not-So-Green Buildings, and Chinese Drywall,” as part of the “Hot Topics in Environmental Law” panel presentation, American Bar Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL (August 1, 2009)
Panel Moderator, “LULUs (Locally Unwanted Land Uses) - A Panel Discussion,” at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL (July 31, 2009)
Presenter, “Ethics for the Wetlands Professional,” at the Florida Wetlands Conference, CLE International, Jacksonville, FL (November 18, 2008)
Co-Presenter, “Integrating Green Building and Brownfields Redevelopment,” at the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals, Pinellas County FL Regional Brownfields Workshop at the Epicenter, Pinellas County, FL (June 11, 2008)
Presenter, “Zoning and Development Permits,” Environmental and Land Use Considerations for a Real Estate Transaction, The Florida Bar (January 25, 2008)
Presenter, “Ethics Restrictions Applicable to State and Local Government Officials,” at the Regulatory Takings Conference (February 23, 2007)
Presenter, “Noise Regulation in Florida,” at the Litigating Land Use Disputes Conference (December 11, 2006)
Two Annual Update Lectures, The Florida Bar's City, County, and Local Government Law Section
Presenter, “Sunshine Law,” at the 37th Annual Florida Police and Fire Pension Board Conference
Presenter, “Election Law,” for the Florida Association of Supervisors of Elections

Professional Recognition

AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Board Certified in City, County, and Local Government Law by The Florida Bar (2005)
City, County, and Local Government Law Section Chair’s Award for Outstanding Service (2006)

Professional and Civic Activities

The Florida Bar
City, County, and Local Government Law Section
    Chair (2011-2012)
    Chair-Elect (2010-2011)
    Secretary-Treasurer (2009-2010)
Environmental and Land Use Law Section
Justice Teaching Volunteer – Franklin Middle School
American Bar Association
Chair, Land Use and Zoning Committee
Land Use and Environmental Group of the Real Property
Trusts and Estate Law Section
Hillsborough County Bar Association
American Bar Foundation, Fellow
National Association of Parliamentarians
Vice-President, Tampa Alpha Chapter
Secretary, Florida Association of Parliamentarians
Alpha Phi Omega, National Co-ed Community Service Fraternity (Advises the University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and St. Leo University Chapters, and has been elected the Section 73 Chair (Central Florida) since 2008)
Leadership Westshore Class of 2008
The Tampa Connection, Class of 2005
Westshore Alliance
Member of the Board of Directors

Background

Office of the Hillsborough County Attorney
Senior Assistant County Attorney (1997-2006)

News
- 09.18.2012
  
  Kenneth A. Tinkler Discusses Florida’s Election Law Updates at Plant City Bar Association’s Monthly Meeting
- 08.10.2012
  
  Kenneth A. Tinkler Presents on Ethics Updates for Swamps and Sinkholes