Robert S. Fine, Esq., A.I.A.

Robert S. Fine, Esq., A.I.A.

Areas of Concentration

· Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

- ADA Titles II & III Litigation

- Expert witness and consulting

· Fair Housing Act accessibility issues, familial status issues and supporting litigation

· Construction law

· Building department relations and permitting

· Building and Life Safety Codes

· Land use and zoning

· Historic preservation

· Administrative law

· Green building and sustainable development

· Local government enforcement proceedings and appeals

Significant Representations

· Successfully petitioned the Florida Building Commission for a declaratory statement establishing a binding interpretation of the state building code that restored the ability of developers to construct usable space (retail, dining areas, bars, etc) seaward of the coastal construction control line and below the 100-year storm wavecrest elevation to facilitate beachfront development.

· Appointed special master by U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Title III ADA national class action lawsuit.

· Consulted on ADA, FHA and other accessibility code related matters in over 600 facilities and businesses.

· Provided defense counsel, litigation support, expert witness, and other related consulting services to clients in over 500 Title II and III of the ADA lawsuits including hospitals, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, shopping centers, office buildings, pari-mutuels and municipalities.

· Fair Housing Act Accessibility Consulting in over 60 multi-family residential projects, time shares, and condo-hotels.

· Assisted clients including PGA Tour, AMC movie theaters, China Grill and Rinker Materials Corporation in attaining Florida state Accessibility Code waivers.

· Works with employment (Title I), and programs of state and local governments (Title II) aspects of ADA as well as the public accommodations/architectural aspects (Title III).

· Successfully challenged local technical amendments and statewide technical amendments to the Florida Building Code

· Successfully both lobbied and challenged amendments to the Florida Building Code.

· Former ADA/Rehabilitation Act Coordinator for City of Miami Beach, FL

Professional & Community Involvement

· Member, The Florida Bar

· Board certified, Construction Law, Board of Legal Specialization and Education, The Florida Bar

· Registered Architect in Florida (AR 13045)

· Certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

· Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA)

· Registered Florida Real Estate Broker

· Lectures extensively regarding ADA and accessible design-related topics

· Member, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)

· Professional Member, International Code Council (ICC)

· Member, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Noteworthy Experience

· Board Certified, Construction Law, Board of Legal Specialization and Education, The Florida Bar

· U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)

· Registered Architect in Florida (AR 13045)

Articles, Publications, & Lectures

Articles

· Author, "Hurricane Rebuilding Brings Higher ADA Standards for Businesses and State and Local Governments," From the Ground Up, Fall 2004

· Author, "Hurricane (and other Natural Disaster) Rebuilding Brings Higher ADA Standards for Business and State and Local Governments," GT Alert, June 2004

· Author, "Model Homes: A Source of ADA Liability for Homebuilders," GT Alert, November 2003

· Authored, "Defending Against Title III: Americans with Disabilities Act Litigation," Massachusetts Bar Institute, Tuesday, July 01, 2003

· Quoted, "Stuart woman wins fight to make 2,200 Claire's stores more friendly to disabled," Sun-Sentinel, Tuesday, May 21, 2002