Overview
Ray Allen has experience in the areas of judicial and administrative litigation, appellate practice, land use law, and environmental and water permitting. As a result of his long history of representing local governments, he is intimately familiar with the inner workings of local governments and has significant relationships with government officials and staff members at the local, state, and federal levels.
Prior to joining the firm, Ray served as the managing attorney of the Land Use Section for the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office in Tampa, Florida. He also previously served as assistant county attorney in Sarasota, Florida, and assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation.
Areas of Focus
Practices
Industries
Insights
News
Recognition
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Land Use and Zoning Law (2016–2024)
- Tampa "Lawyer of the Year," Land Use and Zoning Law (2016)
- The Legal 500, Land Use and Zoning (2015)
- Chambers USA, Environmental Law (2007–2009)
Professional & Community Involvement
- American Bar Association
- Chair, Land Use and Zoning Committee, Land Use and Environmental Group of the Section of Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law
- The Florida Bar
- Environmental and Land Use Law Section
- Administrative Law Section
- Trial Lawyers Section
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
Speaking Engagements
- “Local Government Law,” CLE International, Tampa, FL (March 3, 2017)
- “Quasi-Judicial Hearings, How to Prepare and Present Your Case,” Annual Land Use Law Conference, Tampa, FL (August 27, 2010)
- “The Infinite Challenges and How to Handle Them,” Annual Land Use Law Conference, Tampa, FL (August 27-28, 2009)
- “Quasi-Judicial Hearings,” Annual Growth Management, Energy, Climate Change, and the Environment Short Course, Daytona Beach, FL (February 18-20, 2009)
- “Environmental and Land Use Considerations for Real Estate Transactions,” Environmental and Land Use Law Section of The Florida Bar (January 26, 2007)
- “Zoning and Development Permits,” Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (January 26, 2007)
- “Quasi-Judicial Proceedings Before Local Governments,” Litigating Land Use Disputes Annual Conference (December 11-12, 2006)
- “Florida’s Recent Revisions to Growth Management Law,” Westshore Alliance Development Forum (November 14, 2006)
- “First Amendment Law – Billboards,” City, County, and Local Government Law Seminar, The Florida Bar (May 12-13, 2006)
- “Updated Quasi-Judicial Hearings-Pointers for an Effective Presentation” Litigating Land Use Disputes Annual Conference (2005)
- “Challenges to Local Government Development Orders Under Section 163.3215,” Litigating Land Use Disputes Annual Conference (2004)
- “Ethical Considerations: Confidentiality, Competence, Conflicts of Interest and Public Records,” Florida Wetlands and Mitigation Banking Conference (2004)
- “Ethical Issues: What Every Legal Assistant Should Know,” Environmental Law for Paralegals and Legal Assistants Conference (2004)
- "Florida Wetlands and Mitigation Banking,” Ethics Considerations for the Environmental Practitioner Annual Conference (2002)
- “Resolving Land Use Disputes,” Ethics Considerations for the Land Use Practitioner Annual Conference (2002)
Credentials
Education
- University of Miami School of Law (LL.M., 1977)
- Samford University Cumberland School of Law (J.D., 1976)
- University of Florida (B.S., with honors, 1973)
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
Background
- Managing Attorney, Hillsborough County Attorney's Office, Hillsborough County, FL (1995-2005)
- Assistant County Attorney, Sarasota, FL (1991-1995)
- Private Practice, Law Firm of H. Ray Allen, P.A. (1983-1991)
- Private Practice, Law Firm of Sireci, Allen, Kelly, and Muldoon (1981-1983)
- Assistant General Counsel, Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (1978-1981)