education

Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 1981)
Stetson University (B.A., 1978)

related practices

related industries

Construction Industry

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, Southern District of Florida

spoken languages

Spanish

Luis Prats

Shareholder

Tampa

T: 813.229.4102

F: 813.229.4133

vCard

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Luis Prats represents a diverse clientele in complex commercial disputes, including all types of construction law and litigation.

Mr. Prats is board certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar and he has been recognized by Law and Politics magazine as one of Florida’s Top 100 Lawyers, Mr. Prats has also been listed in Best Lawyers in America, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Business Lawyers, among other professional rating publications.

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Representative Matters
- Mr. Prats has successfully represented many clients on claims for defective construction, yielding judgments, awards or settlements in excess of $100 million.
- He has successfully defended dozens of construction clients on claims for breach of contract, business torts, fraud, statutory violations and other claims in state and federal courts. Among others, Mr. Prats defended:
  - The lead designer of a space shuttle launching facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
  - The contractor for a power plant in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
  - The manufacturer of equipment for a utility project in Nicaragua.
  - The general contractor of a $200 million-plus resort in Dade County, Florida.
  - The general contractor of a large condominium and resort facility in Destin, Florida.
  - The lead designer of a $70 million-plus highway expansion project in Central Florida.
Representative Cases:
- Church of Palms – Presbyterian (U.S.A.), Inc. v. Cincinnati Insurance Company, 404 F. Supp. 1339 (M.D. Fla. 2005).
- Jim Walter Homes v. Walker, 729 So. 2d 432 (Fla. 5th DCA 1999).
- Johnson v. City of Tarpon Springs, 758 F. Supp. 1473 (MD Fla. 1991).
- Howlett v. Rose, 571 So. 2d 29 (Fla. 2d DCA 1990).
- Alvis v. Investment I, Inc., 504 So. 2d 508 (Fla. 2d DCA 1987).
- Canal Ins. Co. v. Continental Cas. Co., 489 So. 2d 136 (Fla. 2d DCA 1986).
- Mason v. State, 489 So. 2d 734 (Fla. 1986).
- Sharp v. Macry, 488 So. 2d 133 (Fla. 2d DCA 1983).
- Moles v. Gotti, 433 So. 2d 1380 (1983).

Publications

09.16.2011	“International Mediation,” International Construction Law, ABA Forum on Construction Industry (2009).
01.01.2008	“Inside the Minds: Negotiating Construction Law Disputes,” Aspatore (2008).
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).
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Speaking Engagements
- Speaker and Panelist, “Dealing with the Property Damage and Potential Health Effects,” Chinese Drywall Litigation Conference, Orlando, FL (June 4-5, 2009)
- Speaker, “Understanding The Anatomy of The Standard CGL Policy and Terms of The Builder's Risk, Professional Liability and OCIP Policies,” Insurance in the Construction Industry, Atlanta, GA (May 7-8, 2009)
- Speaker, “Ten Key Decisions to a Successful Construction Project,” ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, Fall Meeting, Toronto, Ontario (September 2005)
- Speaker, “Florida Construction Law: What Do You Do When …,” National Business Institute (Annually, 1990-2001)
- Speaker, “Florida Law for Design Professionals” Lorman Education Services (Annually, 2000-2001)
- Speaker, “Liens, Bonds and Getting Paid,” Associated Builders and Contractors (Annually, 1990-1996)
- Speaker, “Key Construction Contract Clauses,” Florida Associated General Contractors (1994-1998)
- Speaker, “Construction Contracts, Claims and Disputes: When Things Go Wrong” (1997)
- Speaker, “Contracts and Claims,” Associated Builders and Contractors (Annually, 1994-1996)
- Speaker, “Growing Global: A Practical Guide…,” ABA Forum on the Construction Industry (1995)
- Speaker, “HAPHCC Florida Construction Law,” HAPHCC, Inc. (1994
Professional Recognition
- Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Construction Law
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected as the 2006 recipient of the Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award by the Stetson Lawyers Association
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America (Construction) (2011-2012)
- Listed in Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Business Lawyers (Construction) (2006-2011)
- Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers 2010-2011 (Construction) and named on the Florida Super Lawyers’ Top 100 List
- Listed in Florida Trend magazine's Florida Legal Elite issue (Construction) (2006-2008)
- Listed in United Who's Who Registry of Executives & Professionals
- Sixth Circuit Award for Meritorious Public Service
- Recognized by the Florida Supreme Court and 11th Circuit Court of Appeals for representation of a death row inmate
- Florida Bar Certificate of Appreciation for contribution to the Legal Profession as a Legal Education Author (1999-2000; 2002-2003)
- Hillsborough Attorney's Award of Merit in Recognition of Pro Bono Efforts (1993-1999)
- Listed by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as Who's Who in Tampa Bay Business
- Finalist: Tampa Bay Business Journal 2005 Minority Businessperson of the Year
Professional and Civic Activities
- The Florida Bar
  Construction Law Certification Committee
  Executive Council, Trial Lawyers Section
  Chair, Judicial Relations Committee
- Hillsborough Bar Association
  Construction Law Committee
- American Bar Association
  Litigation Section
  The Forum on the Construction Industry
  Division 1 Steering Committee (2007-present)
  Division 8 Steering Committee (1995-1996) (1999-2000)
- Sixth Judicial Circuit Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee (1990-1991)
- Tampa Habitat For Humanity
  Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Legal Committee (1990-1992)
- Stetson University Alumni Association
  President (2004-2008)
  Board of Directors (1993-1997) (2001-present)
- Stetson University
  Board of Trustees (2004-present)
- Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
  General Counsel (2004)
  Board of Directors (2004-present)
- NALP Foundation for Research and Education
  Board of Trustees (1999-2000)