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…
Martin S. Friedman
About Martin S. Friedman
Martin Friedman’s practice focuses primarily on representing water and wastewater utilities, having done so for over 45 years. That representation includes all aspects of utility operations including contracts, regulation by various State agencies, litigation, and acquisitions/sales.
Mr. Friedman is lead counsel for utility clients of all sizes before the Florida Public Service Commission and has been doing so for over 45 years, making him the most experienced attorney in Florida in representing water and wastewater utilities before the Florida Public Service Commission. He also represents utilities before other state and federal agencies and in their dealings with developers and city and county governments. He appears statewide before trial and appellate courts, as well as administrative agencies.
Mr. Friedman is a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida where he handled local government, consumer and environmental issues, ultimately being promoted to chief of the General Litigation Section. Mr. Friedman has been lead counsel or lead real estate counsel on more than 130 utility sales transactions totaling more than $3 billion. He also has handled over 75 appeals before the Florida Supreme Court and District Courts of Appeal in Florida.
Experience Highlights
Mr. Friedman has handled successful appeals, addressing the exclusivity of a utility's service area, as well as successful appeals in rate making proceedings.
Mr. Friedman has been lead counsel or lead real estate counsel on more than 130 utility sales transactions totaling more than $3 billion. He also handled over 75 appeals before the Florida Supreme Court and District Courts of Appeal in Florida. Mr. Friedman is a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida where he handled local government, consumer and environmental issues.
- The Florida Bar: Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section (Past Member), Business Law Section (Past Member)
- Florida Rural Water AssociationAssociate Member for over 20 years
- Marine Discovery Center, New Smyrna Beach: Volunteer
- Juris Doctor: Stetson University College of Law, 1975
- Bachelor of Science: Florida State University, 1972
- "Current Business and Legal Problems of Franchises", The Florida Bar
- "Landlord, Tenant Law", Florida Apartment Association Convention
- "Mobile Home Owner's Rights", Florida Federation of Mobile Home Owner's Convention
- "Florida Timeshare Rules", Resort Timeshare Conference
- "Odometer Rollback Laws", Florida Independent Auto Dealers Association Convention
- "Mastering Real Estate Titles and Title Insurance in Florida", National Business Institute
- Successfully argued before the United States District Court, District of Columbia to prohibit phosphate mining in the Osceola National Forest.
- Successfully argued before the Second District Court of Appeal for the right of mobile home owners to place "For Sale" signs on their homes.
- Successful argument before the First District Court of Appeal of Florida which established when homestead property that may be devised is subject to the claims of creditors. This case has been cited numerous times by other Florida Courts, including the Florida Supreme Court.
- Successful argument in the Fifth District Court of Appeal which established when a municipality's claim of the exclusive right to provide water and wastewater service could be defeated.
- Successful argument in the First District Court of Appeal which confirmed the procedure for a utility to include yet to be completed capital projects in its rates.
- Successful argument in an Appeal reversing Hillsborough County's denial of a rate increase to a water or wastewater utility.
- Florida
- All U.S. District Courts in Florida
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