Luis Prats

Experience

• Public owner’s construction counsel for $3 billion capital improvement and expansion project at major international airport.
• Public owner’s construction counsel for $600 million convention center project.
• Counseled national homebuilder on investigation by state Attorney General’s office regarding alleged statewide violations of building codes and trade practices.
•  Represented multiple owners on claims for defective construction, yielding judgments, awards or settlements in excess of $200 million.
• 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, Luis defended:
  • Lead designer of a space shuttle launching facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
  • Program manager of a taxiway expansion project at major international airport in Florida.
  • Lead designer of a wastewater treatment plan in South Florida.
  • Contractor for a power plant in Guatemala City.
  • Manufacturer of equipment for a utility project in Nicaragua.
  • General Contractor of a $200 million-plus resort in Dade County, Florida.
  • General Contractor of several large condominium and resort facilities in North Florida.
  • Lead Designer of a $70 million highway expansion project in Central Florida.

• 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).

Featured Insights

Construction

Supreme Court of Florida Upholds the Frye Standard

Publication

All Insights

Recognition

• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Board Certified, The Florida Bar in Construction Law
• Fellow, American College of Construction Lawyers
• Stetson College of Law Hall of Fame (Inducted 2017)
• Recipient, Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award by the Stetson Lawyers Association (2006)
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law (2006-2019)
• Tampa Construction Lawyer of the year (2015)
• Listed in Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Business Lawyers (2006-2018)
• Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers , Construction (2006-2018)
• Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers’ Top 100 (2007-2014)
• Listed in Florida Trend magazine's Florida Legal Elite issue, Construction (2006-2008, 2012-2013, 2015, 2018)
• 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
• Listed in The Legal 500, Real Estate and Construction (2014) 

Professional & Community Involvement

• The Florida Bar
  • Construction Law Certification Committee (2011-2014)
  • Executive Council, Trial Lawyers Section (2008-2009)
  • Chair, Judicial Relations Committee (2009)
• Hillsborough Bar Association
  • Construction Law Committee
• American Bar Association
  • Litigation Section
  • The Forum on the Construction Industry
  • Division 1 Steering Committee (2007-2014)
  • Division 1 Chair (2012-2014)
  • Division 8 Steering Committee (1995-1996, 1999-2000)
• Diversity Committee (2012-present)
• 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, 2001-2006)
• Stetson University
  • Chair, Board of Trustees (2014-2017)
  • Member, 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)

Speaking Engagements

• “Strategies Affecting Design Professionals and Construction Claims/Litigation: Defenses and Settlement Strategies,” MC Consultants, Inc., 6th Annual East Region Construction Defect and Insurance Coverage Conference, Boca Raton, FL (June 6-8, 2012)
• “Use of Technology in Resolving Construction Disputes,” The Florida Bar, 5th Annual Construction Law Institute 2012, Reunion, FL (March 22-24, 2012)
• “Takin' Care of Business,” ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, Mid-Winter Joint Meeting, New York (January 20, 2011)
• “Dealing with the Property Damage and Potential Health Effects,” Chinese Drywall Litigation Conference, Orlando, FL (June 4-5, 2009)
• “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 (May 7-8, 2009)
• “Ten Key Decisions to a Successful Construction Project,” ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, Fall Meeting, Toronto (September 2005)
• “Florida Construction Law: What Do You Do When …,” National Business Institute (1990-2001)
• “Florida Law for Design Professionals” Lorman Education Services (2000-2001)
• “Liens, Bonds and Getting Paid,” Associated Builders and Contractors Annual Convention (1990-1996)
• “Key Construction Contract Clauses,” Florida Associated General Contractors (1994-1998)
• “Construction Contracts, Claims and Disputes: When Things Go Wrong” (1997)
• “Contracts and Claims,” Associated Builders and Contractors (1994-1996)
• “Growing Global: A Practical Guide,” ABA Forum on the Construction Industry (1995)
•  “HAPHCC Florida Construction Law,” HAPHCC, Inc. (1994)

Credentials

Areas of Focus