Recent News

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 24, 2024) – Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce its attorneys selected to the 2024 Florida Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists. Neale Montgomery has been recognized in land use and zoning law, Charles Mann and Charles Capps in real…

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 18, 2024) – Pavese Law Firm, a prominent legal services provider in Southwest Florida with locations in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and West Palm Beach, is excited to announce the appointment of Mary Beth Link as its Marketing Director. Ms. Link…

Pavese Law Firm was recognized with a certificate of appreciation from the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) for its unwavering commitment to rebuilding the community in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. This acknowledgment was especially significant as it coincided with Construction Professionals Appreciation Week, a…

Pavese Law Firm in Fort Myers, Florida, is thrilled to welcome three law students for the firm’s 2024 summer associate program. Chosen from the Class of 2025 are Warren W. Mostrom from Stetson University College of Law and Andre R. Eaton from the University of…

By: Mary Vlasak Snell, Esq. Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our clients often find themselves inundated with paperwork and correspondence following property transactions or the transfer of real property to a revocable trust. They receive an official-looking document in the mail possibly…

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 4, 2024) Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce the addition of Stephen Dwyer as an associate attorney. Mr. Dwyer will be focusing his practice on Real Estate Law, and Civil Litigation representing clients with residential and commercial real estate transactions….

By: Katherine R. English, Esq. The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), adopted in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, went into effect on January 1, 2024. CTA requires many business entities to report basic information regarding who owns and…

Pavese Law Firm partner Neale Montgomery has been recognized as one of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite Notable Women Leaders in Law. This prestigious accolade acknowledges Montgomery’s contributions to her work in all areas devoted to using land and protecting property rights which include land use,…

FORT MYERS, Fla. – On November 21, 2023, the South Florida Water Management District issued a Declaration of Water Shortage Warning for Lee and Collier Counties.  The District issued the Warning due to continuing drier than normal conditions and concerns about declining water levels.  Rainfall…

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 2, 2023) – Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce its selection by Best Lawyers® as a Tier 1, Metropolitan firm in Fort Myers for Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning, and Real Estate Law. This prestigious designation is a testament…

Pavese Law is proud to announce that six attorneys have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Attorneys Steve Hartsell, Neale Montgomery, Katherine English, Irene Kennedy Quincey, Charles Mann, and Chené Thompson were selected by their peers for inclusion in…

By: Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Construction Law; Condominium and Planned Development Law; Real Estate Law Staying informed about legislative changes is crucial in the ever-evolving landscape of laws pertaining to condominiums and cooperatives. The 2023 Florida legislative session…

By: Katherine R. English, Esq. On June 26, 2023, The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army (agencies) announced on EPA’s website that they are developing a rule amendment to the final “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’” rule (WOTUS),…

By: Katherine R. English, Esq. On May 25, 2023, the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, holding that the Clean Water Act applies only to traditional navigable water bodies (streams, rivers, lakes and oceans) and those wetlands with…

By:  Katherine R. English, Esq. The new definition of the Waters of the United States Rule (WOTUS) adopted by the US Environmental Protection Agency has been blocked from implementation in Florida.  See the Order here.  A coalition of twenty-four states, including Florida, joined by eighteen…

Nominated by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture to four-year term Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson appointed Kate English to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. The Pavese Law partner will be sworn in on March 22 in Tallahassee to serve a four-year term….

By:  Katherine R. English, Esq. On January 18, 2023, the Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Environmental Protection Agency published their final rule defining the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act in the Federal Register at 88 FR 3004.  The…

We would like to congratulate Neale Montgomery, Partner with Pavese Law Firm for her recent feature in Gulfshore Life’s “Women Visionaries” issue.

Alexander J. Menendez | Alton M. Kuhn FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 12, 2023) – Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that attorneys Alexander J. Menendez and Alton M. Kuhn have been named partners at the firm. Mr. Menendez concentrates his practice in the areas of…

By:  Irene Kennedy Quincey, Esq. and Raychel A. Thomas, Esq. Emergency Rule allows Florida Ag Producers to Reapply Fertilizer to Damaged Areas to Reestablish Crops Impacted by Hurricane Ian.  Hurricane Ian’s impact on Florida’s agricultural industry and the resulting loss of vast perishable commodity crops…

Pavese Law Firm believes in mentoring and real life experience as the optimal way to shape the future of law in Southwest Florida. The firm has been hiring and mentoring recent law school graduates demonstrating drive and promise and guiding them through the first steps…

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 11, 2022) – Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that attorney Raychel Thomas passed the bar and was sworn in on Monday, September 26. Ms. Thomas joined Pavese in 2021. Her primary areas of focus include Agricultural and Natural Resources…

By:  Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Christopher J. Shields, Esq., Alexander J. Menendez, Esq., and Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. The aftermath of Hurricane Ian has left many condominium and homeowners’ association communities with severe damage, many of which are uninhabitable, or, for those located on the barrier…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce recent law school graduates Brett G. Bleier and Luke L. Kane have joined the firm. Bleier is a member of the firm’s condominium & homeowners/transactional law group. His practice will encompass a broad range of matters including enforcement…

By:  Christopher J. Shields, Esq., Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Alexander J. Menendez, Esq., and Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. The Board has a duty to take reasonable steps to perform repairs and restore the condominium, assuming the governing documents do not require automatic termination based upon the…

Pavese Law is pleased to announce that attorney Michael Lehnert has been named a 2022 Top Lawyer by Naples Illustrated Magazine. Lehnert joined the firm in 2021 and he concentrates his practice in the area of real estate law, including assisting property owners, lenders, and…

By:  Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. On Friday, September 23, 2022, by Executive Order 22-218, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency covering 24 counties, including Lee, Collier, and Charlotte County, relating to Tropical Depression Nine, aka Hurricane Ian. That order was amended Saturday, September 24,…

Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce that attorney Christopher L. Pope has earned Board Certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization & Education. Mr. Pope is now triple Board Certified, having also earned Board Certification in Construction Law…

By:  Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. As an update to our June 7, 2022, article on the Building Safety Act, please be reminded that the deadline for Florida condominiums and cooperatives to report building information to the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes (“Division”) is…

Pavese Law Firm partners Christopher J. Shields, Steven C. Hartsell, Neale Montgomery, Katherine English, and Irene Kennedy Quincey were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Shields was selected in the practice area of Real Estate…

By: Katherine R. English, Esq. and Irene Kennedy Quincey, Esq. Compliance Officers and General Counsels are now challenged to help their companies prepare for EPA’s planned PFAS regulations as part of its effort to protect the public and the environment from a little understood, but…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that attorney Erin Casey has joined the firm. Ms. Casey brings to the firm over 20 years of combined criminal and civil litigation experience. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Casey practiced Criminal Defense for 13 years as…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to welcome two summer law clerks, Freddy Maldonado from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and Kelsey Grant from Ava Maria School of Law, as their vision for the future requires inspiring young professionals and helping them discover…

Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce attorneys Christopher Shields, Steven Hartsell, Neale Montgomery, Charles Mann, Christina Harris Schwinn, Charles Capps, and Chené Thompson have been named to the esteemed 2022 Super Lawyers list of top attorneys in Florida. Mr. Shields, Mr. Mann, and Mr….

Pavese Law is pleased to announce Christina Harris Schwinn has been elected as incoming President of the North Fort Myers Rotary Club by its members, and will serve for the term of one year starting July 1. She will be inducted into her presidency the…

By: Christopher J. Shields, Esq. and Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. How many lawyers does it take to cut down a tree? A new bill amending Section 163.045 of the Florida Statutes recently made its way through the Florida legislature and is set to become effective July…

Harbor South Condominiums celebrated their 55th anniversary in 2022. Pavese Law Firm has represented Harbor South Condominium Association for 20 years. In recognition of this service, Harbor South presented Pavese Law Firm this poster depicting the history and development of the building and the surrounding…

By:  Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. This article concerns the recent amendments to the alternative dispute resolution provisions of the Condominium Act. All references to sections and subsections of statutes in this article are to the Florida Statutes (2021). The Condominium Act requires arbitration of certain disputes…

By:  Alexander J. Menendez, Esq. It’s something that’s easy to put off. However, after being recorded for thirty (30) years, if not properly preserved, a community’s covenants or deed restrictions can be extinguished by Florida’s Marketable Record Title Act (known as “MRTA” for short).  Further,…

By:  Dillon L. McColgan, Esq. Last month, the Third District Court of Appeal in Florida filed its opinion in K.D. Constr. of Fla., Inc. v. MDM Retail, Ltd., 2021 WL 5617447 (Fla. 3d DCA Dec. 1, 2021), addressing a significant concern facing many commercial landlords—when…

By: Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Construction Law and Condominium & Planned Development Law Because of the collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, on December 15, 2021, Freddie Mac issued Bulletin 2021-38: Temporary Condominium and Cooperative Project…

Achievement distinguishes firm among top in U.S. with a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2021) – Pavese Law Firm is being recognized as one of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® and U.S. News &…

By:  Christina Harris Schwinn, Esq. Why are employers required to report newly hired (rehired) employees and independent contractors?  The obvious reason is so that the State of Florida can determine whether unemployment  taxes are being paid on the wages paid to the employees.  There is…

By:  Christina Harris Schwinn, Esq. Ever since President Biden announced last September that his administration would instruct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) requiring employers with 100 or more employees to require their employees to be vaccinated,…

The Florida Bar RPPTL Condominium Law and Policy Life Safety Advisory Task Force published its advisory recommendations for changes to condominium law and condominium operation on October 12, 2021 in response to the Champlain Towers South collapse that took the lives of 98 individuals in…

By: Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in both Construction law and Condominium and Planned Development Law Effective July 1, 2021, Florida condominium law now requires that the annual budget for condominium associations be proposed to unit owners and adopted at least…

Property fraud is becoming one of the prevalent white-collar crimes in the United States.  Property fraud may occur when someone else records a fraudulent deed, mortgage or other document in the public records, in which it appears that ownership or other rights to the property…

Executive Order 21-150 was issued on July 3, 2021, declaring a 60-day state of emergency for Tropical Storm Elsa in certain Florida counties, including Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties. The State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Elsa was not extended and has now expired, so…

By: Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Construction Law and Condominium and Planned Development Law We often get asked by contractors, subcontractors, or materialmen whether they are also entitled to recover interest when a payment is late from the…

By: Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. and Christopher J. Shields, Esq. As you may be aware, the State of Florida is no longer under a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor DeSantis has not given any indication that he will issue another….

Pavese Law Firm partners, Christopher J. Shields, Steven C. Hartsell, and Neale Montgomery were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 28th edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Shields was selected in the practice area of Real Estate Law.  Hartsell and Montgomery were…

Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce it was named “Best Corporate and Business Law Firm” in Gulfshore Business magazine’s ninth annual Best of Business readers’ poll.  Pavese Law is honored to win the annual ‘Best of Business’ Award in this category.  The firm was…

Executive Order 21-150 was issued by Governor DeSantis on Saturday, July 3, 2021, declaring a 60-day state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Elsa in various counties, including Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties.  Executive Order 21-151 was subsequently issued on Monday, July 5, 2021 to…

By:  Alexander J. Menendez, Esq. You may have noticed that the world is reopening from COVID lockdown. With the proliferation of vaccines and falling infection and mortality rates, businesses and local governments are further scaling back restrictions and policies that have been the “new normal”…

By:  Christopher J. Shields, Esq. and Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. On June 16, 2021, Governor DeSantis approved the final version of Senate Bill 56: Community Association Assessment Notices (“SB 56”).[1] Accordingly, the changes provided therein will become effective on July 1, 2021. All Florida condominium associations,…

Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce attorneys Christopher Shields, Neale Montgomery, and Christina Harris Schwinn have been named to the esteemed 2021 Super Lawyers list of top attorneys in Florida.  Mr. Shields was named in the field of Real Estate, Ms. Montgomery was named…

By:  Christopher L. Pope, Esq. and Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. The 2021 Florida legislative session produced several bills that made numerous changes to cooperative law (Chapter 719, Florida Statutes; the Cooperative Act) that will affect the operation of cooperatives across the State. Below is a summary…

By:  Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Construction Law and Condominium and Planned Development Law The 2021 Florida legislative session produced several bills that made numerous changes to condominium law (Chapter 718, Florida Statutes; the Condominium Act) that will…

By:  Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Construction Law and Condominium and Planned Development Law The 2021 Florida legislative session produced several bills that made numerous changes to homeowners’ association law (Chapter 720, Florida Statutes; the Homeowners’ Association Act)…

By: Chene’ M. Thompson, Esq. As most people know, settlement is the #1 way that lawsuits get resolved. Perhaps the second most frequent way to resolve a case, in the civil context, is by a Motion for Summary Judgment. A summary judgment motion may be…

By: Eric D. Molina, Esq. On May 5, 2021, a federal district court for the District of Columbia vacated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (“CDC”) nationwide eviction moratorium, which was set to expire on June 30, 2021, after several prior extensions of the…

By: Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. -and-Christopher J. Shields, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Real Estate Law andCondominium and Planned Development Law Executive Order 21-81:        On April 2, 2021 Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 21-81 which dealt with vaccination documentation to be effective…

Governor DeSantis signed two Executive Orders on May 3, 2021 terminating state agency and local government emergency orders, restrictions and mandates imposed due to COVID-19. Executive Order 21-101 invalidates “any emergency order issued by a political subdivision due to the COVID-19 emergency which restricts the…

By: Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Construction Law andCondominium and Planned Development Law-and-Christopher J. Shields, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Real Estate Law andCondominium and Planned Development Law Barely a week ago, on April…

By:  Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Construction Law and Condominium and Planned Development Law Under Florida’s Construction Lien Law (Chapter 713, Florida Statutes), a contractor or supplier only has 90 days from the last day they furnished labor…

Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 21-94 on April 27, 2021 which extends the COVID-19 State of Emergency because COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the state.  The extension is for an additional 60 days which allows permit and…

By: Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Construction Law and Condominium and Planned Development Law Most condominium Declarations require the unit owners to maintain, repair, and replace the windows to their unit (except when damage is caused by an…

Employment Law Attorney Christina Schwinn guest authored an article in the April 2021 edition of Southwest Florida Business Today covering new employment eligibility requirements that went into effect January 1, 2021 in the state of Florida. These requirements are in addition to federal mandates to…

By: Christopher J. Shields, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Real Estate and Condominium and Planned Development Law and Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. On Monday, March 29, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that among other things, establishes liability protections…

By: Christina Harris Schwinn, Esq. A recent appellate court case from the Fifth Circuit Court Appeals[1] is a stark reminder that employers are ultimately responsible for ensuring that nonexempt employees accurately record all time worked and are fully compensated for all hours worked regardless of…

By:  Christopher L. Pope, Esq., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Construction Law and Condominium and Planned Development Law The governing documents of condominium associations, which include the Declaration of Condominium, the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and any Rules and Regulations, are…

The new requirements effective January 1, 2021 affect both private and public sector employees, but do so in different ways.  This article will outline many of the new requirements imposed on both private and public sector employers, as same relates to verifying whether a person…

Attorney Charles Capps has been Appointed to the Condominium and Planned Development Law Certification Committee Attorney Christopher Pope Earns The Florida Bar Certification in Construction Law Construction Contracts: “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure” A Second Look at Conducting Community Association…

Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce that attorney Christopher L. Pope recently earned Board Certification in Construction Law in the Florida State Bar. In 2019, Mr. Pope also became Board Certified in Condominium and Planned Development Law, making him one of only two attorneys…

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a State of Emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional six (6) months.  A written request for such an…

By:  Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. & Christopher J. Shields, Esq. Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-52 on March 9, 2020 declaring a state of emergency under Section 252.36 of the Florida Statutes relating to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and the disease caused…

Pavese Law is pleased to announce that attorneys Steve Hartsell and Neale Montgomery have been named 2020 Top Lawyers by Naples Illustrated magazine. Mr. Hartsell is Florida Bar Board Certified in Condominium and Planned Development Law. He concentrates his practice in land use, zoning and…

Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce partners, Christopher J. Shields, Steven C. Hartsell, Neale Montgomery, and Katherine R. English were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 27th edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Shields was selected in the practice area of…

A Primer for Conducting Community Association Meetings Via Remote Means Proper Payments: Don’t Pay Twice for Your Construction Projects What Does the Limited Extensions of Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief Mean for Community Associations? Emotional Support Animals – SB 1084: New Dog, Old Tricks Changing…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that attorney Charles Capps has been appointed to the Condominium and Planned Development Law Certification Committee. This committee is comprised of board-certified condominium and planned development attorneys who are appointed by the Florida Bar to administer the screening…

It is imperative that agricultural pesticide applicators wear respiratory protection when required by pesticide product labeling. The COVID-19 public health emergency has created a significant increase in demand for respirators to protect healthcare workers which has, in turn, limited availability of respiratory protection options for…

By:  Christopher J. Shields, Esq. & Vanessa Fernandez, Esq. As you are aware, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-52 on March 9, 2020 declaring a state of emergency under Section 252.36 of the Florida Statutes relating to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2,…

By:  Christopher J. Shields, Esq. & Alexander J. Menendez, Esq. As Congress continues to mull over the 1,800 page HEROES Act that was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday, May 15th, a host of oversights have slipped through the cracks with very serious…

Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce attorneys Neale Montgomery and Christopher Shields have been named to the esteemed 2020 Super Lawyers list of top attorneys in Florida. This honor is bestowed upon no more than five percent of lawyers statewide. Selections for the revered Super Lawyers list result…

Lender Questionnaires, Estoppel Certificates, Transfer Fees And Resale Capital Contributions (Who Can Charge Whom, What, When And Where?) Tenants Have Vested Rights – Even After Foreclosure Website Accessibility – “Surf By” Lawsuits – A Growing Trend© An Overview Of Consideration For Community Associations That Want…

The United States Department of Labor was on a mission in 2019 to publish two important—need to know—final rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”): 1) minimum salary for salary exempt employees; and 2) a clearer definition of Regular Rate of Pay (hourly pay…

Commercial Rent The state of Florida has issued a reduced sales tax rate on commercial rent beginning January 1, 2020. This reduction takes the commercial rent sales tax from 5.7% to 5.5% at the state level. This new law will cause landlords to amend existing…

Pavese Law Firm continues to meet the needs of its clients with the latest additions of two new attorneys. Alton Kuhn will be practicing in the areas of Real Estate Development, Commercial and Residential Transactions, Condominium and Homeowners’ Association Law, and Business Law. Vanessa Fernandez will…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce Neale Montgomery was named to the 2019 Top Lawyers List by Naples Illustrated Magazine. Montgomery concentrates her practice in land use, zoning and local government; environmental and water; and real estate law.  She focuses primarily on real estate and environmental…

Attorneys William T. Haverfield II, Christopher J. Shields, Steven C. Hartsell, Neale Montgomery, and Frank A. Pavese, Jr. were selected by peers for inclusion in the 26th edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Haverfield was selected in the practice area of Family Law, Shields…

Attorney Justin Mazzara has joined Pavese Law Firm and will be practicing in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, Construction, and Business Law. Mazzara earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and graduated cum laude from the University of Florida Levin…

Attorneys Christopher J. Shields and Chené M. Thompson have been recognized in the 2019 edition of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite. This is Shields’ sixth year named in the legal elite category. The list of honorees, published in the July issue of Florida Trend magazine, includes…

On June 28, 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 7103 which went into effect immediately. The bill contains a number of amendments relating to land use and comprehensive plan requirements, including requirements that local governments must review applications for permits within specified time frames,…

“It’s Alive!” In Rose Mary Knick’s family graveyard the U.S. Supreme Court breathes new life into the once popular 42 USC §1983 claim for regulatory takings violations by local governments. “[N]or shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” The Fifth Amendment’s…

Attorney Christopher Pope was recognized by The Florida Bar with Board Certification in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Florida Bar Board Certification requires a rigorous application process and examination, and is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar for the skills, special knowledge,…

Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce attorneys William T. Haverfield II, Neale Montgomery and Christopher J. Shields have been named to the esteemed 2019 Super Lawyers list of top attorneys in Florida. This honor is bestowed upon no more than 5 percent of lawyers…

Mary Vlasak Snell, a partner at Pavese Law Firm, recently completed a series of complimentary Life Planning Seminars in partnership with the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida. Snell was a featured speaker at 10 educational seminars in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Punta Gorda,…

Maybe.  It all depends on the project supervisor’s duties.  As a matter of background, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued an opinion letter in 2009 on this very topic under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), but withdrew it shortly thereafter stating the DOL…

The New Law Which Imposes Term Limits for Condominium Board Members; What We Are Advising Our Condominium Clients At This Time Website Requirement for Certain Condominium Associations Effective January 1, 2019 New Law Requires Homeowners’ Associations’ Board of Directors to Consider Filing Notice of Preservation…

Pavese has been selected as a finalist for the Business Citizenship (Large) 2018 Industry Appreciation Award.  With years of experience serving Southwest Florida, Pavese has become well known for having a hand in helping shape the growth of the region and has participated in the…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that attorneys William T. Haverfield, II, Diane L. Jensen, Christopher J. Shields, and Neale Montgomery have been named to the 2018 Naples Illustrated Top Lawyers list. William T. Haverfield, II Family Law   Diane L. Jensen Bankruptcy and…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce William T. Haverfield, II, Christopher J. Shields, and Neale Montgomery have been named to the 25th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for 2019. Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession. Recognition in…

Pavese Law Firm, a multi-practice firm serving individuals, families, small businesses and large corporations, has been named a winner of Gulfshore Business’ 2018 Best of Business Awards for “Best Large Law Firm.” Now in its sixth year, Gulfshore Business’ Best of Business Awards is the magazine’s…

A recent amendment due to take effect on July 1, 2018, to Chapter 720, Florida’s Homeowners’ Association Act will now require amendments to rules and regulations made on or after July 1, 2018 to be recorded in the County’s Public Records in order to be…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that six (6) lawyers were selected in the 2018 Florida Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists appearing in Florida Super Lawyers® magazine. From the state, only 5% of lawyers are named to the Florida Super Lawyers® list; no more than 2.5% are named…

Four partners with Pavese Law Firm in Fort Myers, Christopher Shields, Steven Hartsell, Charles Mann, and Charles Capps, were recognized by The Florida Bar with Board Certification in Condominium and Planned Development Law.  Florida Bar Board Certification requires a rigorous application process and examination, and…

Chapter 2018-88, Laws of Florida, authorized the Department of Environmental Protection to assume responsibility for the dredge and fill permitting program established under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Department has begun rulemaking and is currently holding public workshops to present the draft…

An Overview of Recent Amendments to Florida Laws Affecting Condominiums and Homeowners Associations and What You Need to Know Legislative Changes to Florida’s Cooperative Statute – Effective July 1, 2018 The Property Appraiser’s Database and Mailing Addresses – What Do They Have in Common? State…

Pavese will be a sponsor at the 17th Annual Tri-County HR Conference – HR University – Where Learning Never Ends on Friday, May 4, 2018, at the Lee County School Board, 2855 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The keynote speaker…

Pavese Law Firm will be a sponsor at the annual Lee County Association for Women Lawyers (LCAWL) to be held on Thursday, May 3, 2018, with cocktails from 4:00-5:00 p.m. and reception from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Edison Restaurant in Fort Myers.  This event honors…

Pavese is a proud sponsor at the 2018 Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Business Hall of Fame, Lee County.  The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, with a cocktail reception…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that partner Christina Harris Schwinn was honored with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) SWFL’s 2017 Excellence Award at the March SHRM SWFL luncheon. Schwinn, former SHRM SWFL legislative director, was selected for this award because of…

Business Observer – March 9, 2018 Read the full article: “Hell Bound”    

What does PAID Stand for? Payroll Audit Independent Determination. What is the PAID Program’s purpose? This pilot program is intended to test the efficiency of a self-reporting program to correct wage hour violations discovered by an employer and to create a mechanism whereby the employer…

In January of this year, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) updated its standard for determining when an intern qualifies as an intern or is actually an employee. This new standard provides for a new flexible standard that is consistent with numerous court rulings over…

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida invites the community to support its efforts to provide key programs on work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy to local students by donating to the organization during the ‘Give Where You Live Collier’ fundraising initiative, which takes place at noon on…

Pavese Law Firm is a proud sponsor at the Twenty-Seventh Annual Southwest Florida Water Resources Conference.  The conference will be held at the Pelican Preserve Magnolia Room, Fort Myers, FL on Friday, February 2, 2018.  This year’s theme, “The Changing Climate of Regulation and Funding”,…

Attorney Christopher L. Pope has been named a partner at the Pavese Law Firm. Pope concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate law, condominium and homeowners’ association law and construction law. Prior to practicing law, Pope worked as an Area Construction Manager for…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that Mary Vlasak Snell  has been selected to the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, 2018 Business Hall of Fame, Lee County, Advisory Board.  (www.jaswfl.org).  Ms. Snell is a long-time member of the Board of Directors United Way of Lee,…

Attorney Katherine English has been elected chair of the SHARE Council for University of Florida Institute of Food & Agriculture Services, to serve 2017-2019. The Special Help for Agricultural Research and Education (SHARE) Council is a volunteer-led group dedicated to the development of the University…

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a State of Emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional 6 months. A written notification for such an extension…

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a State of Emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional six (6) months. A written notification for such an…

If your business employs workers who were granted work authorizations under President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”), read on.  On September 5, 2017, President Trump issued an executive order that sunsets the DACA program in six months unless Congress acts to pass a…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District is withdrawing from the Florida Joint Application Process, effective October 1, 2017. Beginning October 1, the Corps will only accept applications submitted directly to the Corps using its forms and formats. The Joint Application Form 62-330.060(1) submitted…

The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is extending the deadline to submit comments on its proposal to repeal  the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule until September 27, 2107.  The WOTUS Rule revised the regulatory definition of what kinds of areas would be protected…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce William T. Haverfield, II, Diane Jensen, Christopher J. Shields, and Neale Montgomery have been named to the 24th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for 2018. Mr. Haverfield was also recognized as the 2018 Fort Myers Family Law “Lawyer of the…

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a State of Emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional six (6) months.  A written request for such an…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that Mary Vlasak Snell  has been elected to the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee Counties Board of Directors. (www.unitedwaylee.org).  Ms. Snell is a long-time member of the board of directors of United Way of Lee, Hendry…

Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce that partners Christopher J. Shields and Charles B. Capps have been recognized among the prestigious roster of attorneys included in the 2017 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™. The list of honorees, published in the July issue…

Florida’s New Estoppel Law: How It Will Impact Condominiums, Cooperatives and HOAs in Florida and What You Need to Know. To view the full newsletter click here.

Selective Enforcement and Waiver; Court Limits Their Use As a Valid Affirmative Defense 2017 Legal Updates: Election Dispute Medical Marijuana and the Workplace A Recall “Hole” in the Florida Statutes Homeowners Associations: An Election Procedure Pitfall To view the full newsletter click here.

“It is undeniable that our youth must develop an understanding of financial and business principles in order to be successful in life,” says Attorney Christina Harris Schwinn.  Click here to read her full article.   Published in The News-Press Date:  April 11, 2017

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a State of Emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional six (6) months.  A written request for such an…

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a state of emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional six (6) months.  With some exceptions, the extension applies…

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a State of Emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional six (6) months.  A written request for such an…

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a State of Emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional six (6) months. A written request for such an…

On November 22, 2016, a judge in Sherman, Texas issued an order blocking the implementation of the Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) new minimum salary rule that was set to go into effect on December 1, 2016.  What does this mean for employers?  It means that…

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a State of Emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional six (6) months.  A written request for such an…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce William T. Haverfield, II, Diane Jensen, Christopher J. Shields, and Neale Montgomery have been named to the 23rd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for 2017.   William T. Haverfield, II, Marital and Family Law Diane L….

Neale Montgomery has been selected as a 2016-2017 regional council member for Leadership Florida, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring and engaging Florida leaders to better serve the state. Montgomery will serve a one-year term, during which she will be engaged in communicating and…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that Attorneys Diane L. Jensen and Christopher J. Shields have been recognized in the 2016 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™. The list of honorees, published in the July issue of Florida Trend magazine, includes attorneys in private practice…

Pavese Law Firm is please to announce that Christina Harris Schwinn, Partner received Junior Achievement of Southwest  Florida, Inc.’s Lifetime Achievement Award for 2015-2016. Ms. Schwinn, who once served as president for the Junior Achievement (JA) “company” established at her high school, now serves as…

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that certain qualifying permits and authorizations are eligible for an extension once a State of Emergency is declared for the length of time the declaration is in effect plus an additional six (6) months.  A written request for such an…

Gulfshore Business Daily – October 22, 2015 Attorneys Mary Vlasak Snell and Chené Thompson were honored at the Lee County Bar Association Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. Snell received the Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award. Only seven other individuals received this level of recognition….

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William T. Haverfield, II, Diane L. Jensen, Christopher J. Shields and Neale Montgomery were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 22nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America© 2016.  Haverfield was selected in the practice area of Family Law, Jensen was recognized for…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that Mary Vlasak Snell  has been elected to the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee Counties Board of Directors. (www.unitedwaylee.org).  She is a long time member of the Board of Directors and an Allocations Team Leader….

Pavese Law Firm named one of the 2015 Best Law Firm Finalists in Southwest Florida by Gulfshore Business readers.  We would like to thank you all who participated and for those who voted for Pavese.  Our success reflects the continued trust of our clients and…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that Attorneys William T. Haverfield II, Diane L. Jensen, Neale Montgomery, Christopher J. Shields, Brooke N. Martinez and Charles B. Capps have been recognized in the 2015 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™. The list of honorees,…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce Steven C. Hartsell has been named chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Southwest Florida District Council. Hartsell assumes the role of chair effective July 1. ULI is a nonprofit research and education organization representing land use and…

June 2 was special day for Frank Pavese, the 91-year-old retired founder of Pavese Law Firm. Lee County Commissioners proclaimed that day “Frank A. Pavese Sr. Day,” to honor the long-time attorney for his contributions to the region. – See more at: http://www.businessobserverfl.com/section/detail/law-firm-founder-honored/#sthash.YqElfAEy.dpuf June 2…

Partner, Katherine English has been selected to serve a one-year term on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Issue Advisory Committee on Environmental Regulations. The American Farm Bureau Federation, or AFBF, works to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans and to build strong, prosperous…

Effective January 1, 2015, employers will not be able to access records that were created on or before December 31, 2004 in the E-Verify system. If your company relies on the federal government’s database for storage of Form I-9 records, your company should take precautions…

Gulfshore Business Daily, July 18, 2014 Charles B. Capps, Partner at Pavese Law Firm, has earned his board certification in real estate law from The Florida Bar. Board certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of…

Gulfshore Business Daily – December 28, 2012 Pavese Law Firm partner Christina Harris Schwinn was appointed to the advisory board for Florida Gulf Coast University’s Small Business Development Council, where she joins regional business leaders and professionals in supporting the goals of helping businesses grow, create jobs…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that Partner, Christina Harris Schwinn, was elected a member of the board with the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida (JASWFL) for a term of 3 years.  Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young…

New officers and 11 new board members were elected at the recent United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee counties annual meeting. The officers and executive committee members for 2014-2015 are: Robert Wilson, chairman; John Clinger, vice chairman; Patricia Heath, treasurer; Craig Folk, assistant…

Attorneys’ Title Fund Services, LLC named Pavese Law Firm member of The Fund President’s Circle. The Fund President’s Circle is comprised leaders within the legal profession.  These firms have received this statewide recognition because of the commitment they have shown to their clients and to…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that three (3) lawyers were selected in the 2014 Florida Super Lawyers and 2014 Rising Stars list appearing in the Florida Super Lawyers magazine.  From the state, only five percent of lawyers are named to the Florida Super Lawyers list;…