Attorneys

Michael P. Donaldson

Shareholder
Tallahassee

ph : 850.513.3613
fax : 850.222.0398

Practice Experience

From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Donaldson was the Assistant General Counsel both for the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Mr. Donaldson’s practice is concentrated in the areas of administrative, land use and environmental law, with a particular focus in assisting or representing:

Developers of affordable housing seeking to obtain available funding from Florida Housing Finance Corporation, including green building and workforce housing initiatives and incentives.
Developers and utilities before the Public Service Commission.
Building Contractors and other licensed professionals with licensure issues before the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and corresponding local government regulatory agencies.
Clients in competitive bid protests and other contract procurement matters.
Clients with comprehensive planning and permitting issues before the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Environmental Protection and corresponding local government agencies.
Developers in their renovations or development of marina communities.

His administrative law practice represents clients before both state and local government agencies.
Mr. Donaldson’s practice also includes representing clients in general litigation matters in circuit court.
Mr. Donaldson is a member and previous Co-Chair of the Firm’s Diversity Committee.

Professional and Civic Activities

The Florida Bar
Previous member of the Bar Grievance Committee for the 2nd Judicial Circuit
American Bar Association, State and Local Government Law Section, Chair
of the Ethics Committee
National Bar Association
University of Florida Black Alumni Association
Member of Board of Directors of The Dick Howser Center for Childhood
Development, Vice President (1996-present)

Professional Recognition

Recipient of the Virgil Hawkins Fellowship (University of Florida College of Law, 1985)
University of Florida Minority Student Leadership Award Finalist (1985)
America’s Best and Brightest Men 1996, Dollar & Sense Magazine
AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

COURT ADMISSIONS

Background

Assistant General Counsel with the Department of Community Affairs (1991-1994): While at the Department, Mr. Donaldson served as a litigation attorney representing the Department in Chapter 163, F.S., Comprehensive Planning cases and Chapter 380, F.S., Development of Regional Impact Cases This representation included the review of proposed projects and local government comprehensive plans. Mr. Donaldson also represented the Department in circuit court proceedings concerning the enforcement of growth management laws and mandates.
Assistant General Counsel for the Department of Environmental Protection (1989- 1991) While at the Department, Mr. Donaldson served as a litigation attorney in the environmental permitting section. His duties included representing the Department in permitting various projects, including stormwater facilities, wastewater facilities, docks and marinas, and dredge and fill activities.

Education

Practices