Practice Areas

Litigation
Condominium & Homeowners' Association
Appellate
Land Use Litigation and Real Property Disputes
Real Estate
Federal Practice
Real and Personal Property Taxation and Litigation
Employment Law

Litigation

All of our attorneys have litigation experience. This enables the firm to respond aggressively and competently when a client has a dispute which needs resolution. Our lawyers are capable of handling the most basic claims to multi-million dollar complex commercial litigation. All of our lawyers are trained in the basics of general litigation matters.

back to top


Condominium & Homeowners' Association

We work on behalf of developers, condominium and homeowners' association, corporations and management, as well as condominium lenders. Clients have included association boards, their officers and directors in transactional matters, arbitration and litigation disputes. We provide clients advice on phased developments, condominium documentation, warranty claims and, when necessary, arbitration or civil litigation of disputes.

back to top


Appellate

When cases progress to the appellate level, Smith Hawks, PL's attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and ability to see them through the appellate process. The firm's attorneys practice in the Courts of Appeal and the Federal appellate courts.

back to top


Land Use Litigation and Real Property Disputes

Smith Hawks, PL's attorneys have extensive experience in representing clients in issues that arise out of the use of real property, restrictions on real property, and during the real estate development process. The disputes include disputes involving development rights, zoning, use restrictions, covenants and easements, title matters, density restrictions, challenges to local or municipal ordinances, adverse possession, and disputes arising from administrative action relating to real property. In addition, our firm has extensive experience in handling disputes that may arise during the course of a land use or real property dispute, which includes disputes involving purchase/sale contracts, disputes regarding acquisition of land, disputes arising out of loans, foreclosures, commercial leases, construction disputes, and eminent domain disputes.

back to top


Real Estate

The Key West real estate attorneys with Smith Hawks, PL have extensive experience in complex commercial and residential real estate services. From contract preparation and review to closing, every aspect of transactions are expertly executed. The real estate attorneys handle leasing, management agreements, acquisitions and dispositions, development, and financing. The attorneys are knowledgeable in every type of financing possible for both borrowers and lenders.

back to top


Federal Practice

Given the typical complexity of federal claims, federal practice is based significantly on the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in writing, and our lawyers meet that demand. The firm's attorneys represent clients in complex common law and statutory claims typically brought in federal court.

back to top


Real and Personal Property Taxation and Litigation

The attorneys at Smith Hawks, PL have extensive property tax and litigation credentials enabling us to advocate your tax protest in any forum. Smith Hawks, PL has focused on representing commercial, industrial, and multi-residential property owners in acquiring fair and equitable real estate assessments throughout the State of Florida. The firm works closely with Smith, Hemmesch, Burke, Brannigan and Guerin, a nationally recognized real and personal property taxation firm based in Chicago, Illinois. Through the firms ties with Smith, Hemmesch, Burke, Brannigan and Guerin the firm has the ability to take on even the most complex property tax matters.

back to top


Employment Law

We have strong, long-term professional relationships with our clients, and our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in employment-related matters in state and federal courts and agencies throughout Florida. Because of our experience in employment and labor law matters, we understand the legal climate in Florida. This helps us predict outcomes and develop innovative and individualized solutions to complex work-related legal issues. We work with businesses and professionals to deliver cost-effective solutions for their employment counseling and litigation needs.

back to top