Estate and Succession Planning
Dean Mead’s Estate and Succession Planning Department is one of the largest and most respected groups of estate planning attorneys in Florida. We are frequently…
Thomas P. Wert
About Thomas P. Wert
Tom is a member of the Litigation Department in the Orlando office. He is Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and has practiced in the area of business litigation, with an emphasis in construction law, commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and creditors’ rights since 1993. He is also a Circuit Civil Court Mediator, certified by the Florida Supreme Court, who has mediated numerous business disputes. Tom served on the 52-member Board of Governors of the Florida Bar from 2018-2024, which has exclusive authority to formulate and adopt matters of policy concerning the activities of the Bar. HHe also serves as the 2024 Chair of the Board of Directors of Associated Builders & Contractors of Florida and as General Counsel of Associated Builders & Contractors Central Florida Chapter.
Tom has represented numerous large and middle-market companies, local governments, banks and other financial institutions, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals, developers, small businesses and individuals in cases involving construction defects, delay claims, lien law, design liability, dispute resolution, licensing issues, procurement, condominium and homeowner associations, credit agreements, contract disputes, business torts, government bid protests, intellectual property rights and bankruptcy. Tom has also counseled clients in the drafting of customized construction contracts, as well as contracts derived from standard AIA, ConsensusDOCS, and EJCDC contracts.
Experience Highlights
Represented general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and owners concerning multi-million dollar construction and business disputes.
Drafted and negotiated complex construction contracts for multi-million dollar commercial and residential construction projects.
Successfully resolved numerous construction and business disputes as a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator.
Key Legal Services
Primary Industries
- American Bar Association - Past Chair, Business Litigation Committee, Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice
- The Florida Bar - Governor, Board of Governors - Past Co-chair, Discipline Review Committee
- The Florida Bar - Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
- Orange County Bar Association - Past President, 2006-2007
- Orange County Bar Association - Young Lawyers Section, Past President, 1999
- Orange County Bar Association - Foundation, Past President, 2007-2010
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division - Past Member Federal Bar Grievance Committee
- OCBA Legal Aid Society - Past Member, Board of Trustees
- Associated Builders and Contractors - General Counsel, Central Florida Chapter
- Associated Builders and Contractors - Chairman of the Board, State of Florida
- Associated Builders and Contractors - Chairman, Political Action Committee, Central Florida Chapter
- Florida Citrus Sports Association - Elected Board Member
- Florida Citrus Sports Association - SEC Combine Coordinator
- Florida Citrus Sports Association - SEC Team Host
- Past Member, City of Orlando Advisory Committee - RFP Construction Manager at Risk, $180 Million Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium Renovation Project
- Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis - Orlando Chapter, Board Member
- Juris Doctor: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, 1993
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, with honors, 1986
- Outstanding Construction Law Attorney in Florida Super Lawyers Magazine, 2020-2024
- 2024 Tony Boggs Excellence in Discipline Award, presented by the President of the Florida Bar in recognition of exemplary dedication to the Board of Governors’ Disciplinary Review Committee
- Outstanding Lawyer in Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Construction in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2016-2024
- Outstanding Lawyer in Construction Law in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2019-2023
- Orlando's Best Lawyers, Orlando Magazine, 2013-2020, 2023
- Florida Construction Power 100 in City & State Florida, 2023
- Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization
- Certified Circuit Civil Court Mediator, the Florida Supreme Court
- Outstanding Lawyer in Construction Law in Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite, 2022
- Outstanding Service Award from the Orange County Bar Association, 2007-2008
- Outstanding Executive Council Member Award from the Orange County Bar Association, 2005-2006
- Distinguished Past President Award from the Kiwanis Club of Central Orlando, 2001
- Volunteer of the Year from Florida Citrus Sports Association, 1999
- Graduate of Leadership Orlando, 1998
- Martindale Hubbell: Preeminent AV Rating
- Webinar: Challenges of Interpreting Force Majeure, presented to CREW Virtual Marketplace, 2020
- Webinar: What is Force Majeure?, partnered with SVN Saunders, 2020
- C3: Construction, Contracts and Courts, presented to the Associated Builders and Contractors, Central Florida Chapter, 2016
- 2012 Statutory Changes in Florida’s Construction Laws, presented to the Associated Builders and Contractors, Central Florida Chapter, 2012
- Recent Developments in Construction Law, presented to the Construction Financial Management Association, 2011
- The Pre-Trial Phase of Mortgage-Related Litigation, served as a panelist for the American Bar Association Tele-CLE, 2011
- Construction Lien Law, presented to CFMA, 2010
- AIA Contract Changes, presented to CFMA, 2008
- Florida Construction Liens, presented to Half Moon LLC, 2005
- Represented construction workforce company in resolution of a dispute with large general contractor concerning multi-million dollar construction lien claim in Orange County, Florida.
- Represented general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, design professionals, and owners in court litigation, appeals, arbitrations and mediations concerning disputes involving construction projects.
- Negotiated construction documents and provided ongoing legal advice during construction on behalf of owner/developer of a $140 million hospital project in Orlando, Florida.
- Represented construction workforce company in resolution of a dispute with large general contractor concerning multi-million dollar construction lien claim in Orange County, Florida.
- Represented mechanical subcontractor in litigating and resolving payment and delay claims against large general contractor concerning $20+ million subcontract.
- Represented owner/developer in dispute with general contractor concerning construction of a multi-million dollar medical facility.
- Represented general contractor and resolved claims concerning dispute with owner on construction of downtown Orlando parking garage project.
- Represented general contractor and resolved claims against owner and separate mechanical subcontractor concerning damage incurred during renovation of hotel.
- Represented general contractor concerning and resolved claims concerning alleged defects during construction of medical facility.
- Represented electrical subcontractor in litigation with electrical equipment supplier.
- Obtained judgment after trial on behalf of creditors in proceedings supplementary, voiding $50+ million in fraudulent transfers made by judgment debtors in a failed attempt to avoid payment of their debts.
- Negotiated construction contract for $50+ million custom residence in Miami Beach, Florida.
- Negotiated Cost Plus a Fee with a GMP construction contract on behalf of developer of Mercedes Benz automobile dealership facility in Orlando, Florida.
- Negotiated construction contract on behalf of owner for Harriett's Orlando Ballet Centre.
- Obtained a permanent injunction on behalf of the contractor against a former employee for an ongoing breach of non-compete/ non-solicitation agreement.
- Represented the owner of two, luxury hotels in Orange County, Florida against a large general contractor and subcontractors in federal court concerning a $3 million claim for defective construction and repair of the fire safety system in over 1,500 hotel rooms.
- Represented an Orange County municipality concerning breach by a general contractor of a contract for construction of a road.
- Represented an Orange County municipality in a dispute concerning defective construction and delay claims resulting from the construction of a lift station, water main, force main and gravity sewer line.
- Negotiated a joint venture agreement between the general contractor and electrical contractor concerning construction of a major theme park attraction in Orlando, Florida.
- Represented judgment creditor in proceedings supplementary against a judgment debtor who allegedly fraudulently transferred millions of dollars-worth of real estate properties to avoid paying the judgment.
- Represented numerous national banking institutions in commercial foreclosure actions.
- Obtained dismissal on behalf of developer of declaratory judgment, breach of contract, slander of title, and dissolution of lis pendens action, involving broad cable rights related to real estate development project.
- Represented various entities in shareholder derivative action involving real estate development, which includes foreclosure claims, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and other claims involving mismanagement of real estate development venture.
- Represented the contractor in litigation concerning non-payment for construction work from a large timeshare condominium development in Orange County, Florida.
- Represented a large financial institution in a dispute with a general contractor involving lender liability claims for ceasing disbursement of construction loan funds.
- Represented a developer of a luxury, high-rise, waterfront condominium concerning defective design and construction of fountains, driveways and common areas.
- Represented the manufacturer of roofing products against a Downtown Orlando high-rise, condominium association concerning multi-million dollar defective construction and warranty claims.
- Represented a national law firm in an alleged legal malpractice claim concerning a contractor’s filing of a fraudulent construction lien.
- Represented a real estate investor in litigation involving alleged fraud in the inducement for failure to disclose latent defects in the sale of a large apartment complex.
- Resolved a dispute between owners of a joint venture established to develop a 310-acre parcel of real estate.
- Resolved a contract dispute between an engineering firm and developer concerning site work for a retail/commercial center.
- Represented a general contractor concerning a dispute with a subcontractor involving alleged defective work on large retail center.
- Resolved a $3 million claim on behalf of a national bank against a title insurance company involving a fraudulent scheme in the transfer of commercial real property.
- Represented a company in a dispute with its joint venture partner regarding the investment of $10 million in a deep water salvage operation.
- Represented a software developer in federal court concerning fraud, bad faith, breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets and breach of contract claims arising from a joint venture for the development of wellness software.
- Represented the School Board of Seminole County, Florida concerning a breach of software contract by a large, multi-national computer technology company.
- Represented a large hurricane debris removal contractor concerning $4 million in damages for breach of contract by a local municipality in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley.
- Represented a land owner in the defense of toxic tort claims concerning alleged groundwater contamination.
- Represented a condominium developer concerning an alleged breach of contract by numerous condominium purchasers.
- Represented a world-renowned, rock n’ roll band against a serial trademark infringer in federal court concerning claims for injunctive relief and damages.
- Represented a Grammy-nominated, popular music group concerning a dispute with management involving a multi-million dollar breach of contract, business tort and shareholder derivative claims.
- Represented numerous commercial landlords in several eviction actions against tenants based upon the tenants’ failure to comply with various terms of their leases.
- Federal Trade Commission v. HES Merchant Services Company, Inc., 652 Fed. Appx. 837 (11th 2016)
- Dewanshi Motels, Inc. v. Branch Banking and Trust Co., 136 So. 2d 607 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014)
- MSR GL Resort, L.P. v. Hunt Construction Group, Inc., 2012 WL 2873117 (Fla. 5th DCA 2012)
- Myers v. Highway 46 Holdings, L.L.C., 65 So. 3d 58 (Fla. 5th DCA 2011)
- Kulkis v. Helling Property Service, 970 So. 2d 845 (Fla. 5th DCA 2007)
- Theodoropolis v. Talbert, 660 So. 2d 1056 (Fla. 5th DCA 1996)
- Doobie Brothers Corp. v. Paul Curcio, 2000 WL 34585789 (M.D. Fla. 2000)
- Ohri v. Thrailkill, 663 So. 2d 641 (Fla. 5th DCA 1995)
- “Top 12 Construction Law/Litigation Tips for 2015”, published in LinkedIn Pulse, 2015
- “Recent Legislative Changes to Florida’s Construction Laws Will Require Modification of Certain Construction Methods and Documentation”, published in The Briefs, a publication of the Orange County Bar Association, 2012
- “Banks Acceptance of TARP Funds is No Defense to Collection Action”, published in the American Bar Association Business Litigation Committee Newsletter, 2011
- “Deepening Insolvency in Bankruptcy: The End Appears Near”, published in the American Bar Association, Torts and Insurance Practice Section Business Litigation Committee Newsletter
- Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
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