Melinda S. Gentile
Melinda S. Gentile has developed expertise in all aspects of construction law and construction dispute resolution, and has demonstrated success in preparing and handling construction matters ranging from government procurement and bid protests to contract disputes, and from construction liens to defect, impact, bond and insurance claims.
Melinda S. Gentile
Partner, and Diversity Chair and Executive Committee Liaison
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305.358.2600
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305.375.0328
“Our team is able to identify potential disputes throughout the construction process—particularly in the contractual stage—saving clients time, money, and unnecessary distraction.”
Bio
Melinda S. Gentile has developed expertise in all aspects of construction law and construction dispute resolution, and has demonstrated success in preparing and handling construction matters ranging from government procurement and bid protests to contract disputes, and from construction liens to defect, impact, bond and insurance claims. Ms. Gentile’s construction law practice offers substantial experience and an understanding of the development and construction process, which is used to assist general contractors, construction managers, trade contractors, design professionals, owners and sureties in avoiding and resolving disputes during the construction process. Ms. Gentile’s representation begins at the earliest stages of the construction process, during the negotiation and preparation of construction documents, and continues through completion and any subsequent disputes that may arise. She endeavors, wherever possible, for early identification and resolution of disputes that arise during the contracting and construction process in an effort to avoid litigation upon completion of the project. When dispute resolution cannot be accomplished during the construction process, Ms. Gentile vigorously represents her clients in varied litigation proceedings. She has successfully handled a variety of matters before state and federal courts, and in arbitration, mediation, administrative proceedings and private negotiations.
In addition to her construction law practice, Ms. Gentile maintains an active practice in other areas of general, civil and commercial litigation. She has been certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Circuit Civil Mediator and is certified as a Specialist in Construction Law by the Florida Bar. She is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, as well as the courts of the State of Florida. She has also served as a Broward County Magistrate. Ms. Gentile has authored numerous articles on construction law and is a frequent lecturer at seminars on construction-related topics.
Practice
Highlights
Admissions
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Supreme Court of Florida, Circuit Civil Mediator
Memberships
Florida Bar (Construction Law Committee)
Broward County Bar (Construction Law Committee)
The National Association of Women in Construction
The Construction Association of South Florida
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
Education
Avila University, B.A.
Florida International University, M.S.
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, J.D.
Awards and Recognitions
Lifetime Achievement Award, The Florida Bar - Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
Chambers USA, Construction Law, Florida, 2020
Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2020
International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers for Construction
Best Lawyers in America for Construction
South Florida’s Best Lawyers
The Legal 500: United States, Leading Lawyer in Construction
American Registry, Top Attorneys in Florida
Women of Vision, Young At Art Museum
Up and Comer Award, South Florida Business Journal
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated and Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Law Specialist
Supreme Court of Florida, Certified Circuit Civil Mediator
Publications & Presentations
"Building Bridges: The Realities and Implications of Diversity and Inclusion in Construction Law," Best Lawyers Magazine Spring 2020, June 2020
"COVID-19 And Florida Construction: Lessons From the Frontlines in New York, New Jersey, and Around the U.S.," Peckar & Abramson Client Alert, April 2020
12th Annual Construction Certification Review Course (Ethics), Florida Bar Construction Law Institute, Orlando, FL, March 2019
Grow Your Network – Build Your Performance, Groundbreaking Women in Construction, San Francisco, CA, May 2018
Best Practices for Preparing Claims & Effective Dispute Resolution, The Florida Bar – Contractor’s University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, April 2018
11th Annual Construction Certification Review Course, Florida Bar Construction Law Institute, Orlando, FL, March 2018
Psychology of Negotiation, Construction SuperConference, Las Vegas, NV, December 2017
AGC Annual Conference on Dispute Resolution, AGC/AMP Seminar, Dallas, TX, November 2017
Public Contracting Under the Trump Administration, 6th Annual Construction Law in Florida, Miami, FL, October 2017
“2017 Legislative Changes Affecting the Construction Industry,” Peckar & Abramson Client Alert, July 2017
Grow Your Network – Build Your Performance, Groundbreaking Women in Construction, San Francisco, CA, May 2017
“The Diversity Dividend,” Construction Ink!, May 2017
“Diversity Does Pay in the Construction Industry,” Daily Business Review, April 2017
Government Contracting and Compliance, P&A Peer Conference, Miami, FL, April 2017
10th Annual Construction Certification Review Course, Florida Bar Construction Law Institute, Orlando, FL, March 2017
“The Diversity Dividend: Diversity Does Pay,” ABA – Under Construction Forum, February 2017
What Every Advocate Can Learn from Walking in an Arbitrator’s Shoes, ABA - Forum on Construction Law, Webinar, December 2016
Talking About Sex - Are Opportunities and Challenges for Women as Construction Lawyers and Consultants Changing?, Construction Super Conference, Las Vegas, NV, December 2016
AGC Annual Conference on Dispute Resolution, AGC/AMP Seminar, Dallas, TX, November 2016
“The Ethical Risks of a Multijurisdictional Practice,” Law360, November 2016
“Building Public-Private Partnerships (P3),” South Florida Legal Guide 2016 Financial Edition, Government Relations section, October 2016
“Gentile made the switch from special ed to Construction Law,” Daily Business Review, Profiles in Law Section, August 2016
“Miami Beach’s Sustainability Ordinance May LEED to Green Litigation,” Daily Business Review, Practice Focus/Real Estate Section, July 2016 (Contributor)
Women Empowered to Succeed, Groundbreaking Women in Construction, San Francisco, CA, June 2016
What Every Advocate Can Learn from Walking in an Arbitrator’s Shoes, The 2016 AAA Construction Conference: Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget, Miami, FL, April 2016
9th Annual Construction Certification Review Course (Ethics), Florida Bar Construction Law Institute, Orlando, FL, March 2016
AGC Annual Conference on Dispute Resolution, AGC/AMP Seminar, Dallas, TX, November 2015
Best Practices for Preparing Claims, Effective Dispute Resolution & Maintaining Accounting Records to Track and Prove Monetary Damages, “Contractors University” by Fla. Bar RPPTL Construction Law Committee, Fort Lauderdale, FL, September 2015
Across the Generations: Addressing the Elephants STILL in the Room, Groundbreaking Women in Construction, May 2015
Construction Certification Review Course (Ethics), Florida Bar Construction law Institute, Orlando, FL, March 2015
Homecooked! Things Not To Do When Practicing In Foreign Jurisdiction Or Action As Local Counsel, ABA Forum on Construction Law - Midwinter meeting, Scottsdale, AZ, January 2015
3rd Annual Construction Law in Florida, The Seminar Group, October 2014
Setting Your Course: Strategies to Advance Your Professional Path, Groundbreaking Women in Construction, June 2014
7th Annual Construction Certification Review Course, Construction Law Institute, March 2014
Condominium Construction Issues in Florida, Lorman Educational Services, Miami, FL, March 2014
AGC Annual Conference on Dispute Resolution, AGC/AMP Seminar, Dallas, TX, November 2014
“The Effective Use of Dispute Review Boards in Construction Projects,” Construction Ink!, October 2013
Dispute Boards: How They Enhance Collaboration in Complex Construction Projects, Dispute Resolution Conference, Orlando, FL, August 2013
Litigating Contract Surety Bond Insurance Claims, MC Consultants 7th Annual East Region Construction Defect & Insurance Coverage Conference, Orlando, FL, June 2013
Building Relationships that Build Careers, Groundbreaking Women in Construction, New York, NY, May 2013
Ethics, Florida Bar Construction law Institute - 6th Annual Construction Certification Review Course, Orlando, FL, March 2013
