Jonathan concentrates his practice of law in complex, high-exposure litigation and has litigated a wide array of professional liability and commercial cases in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration forums, throughout the country. He zealously defends professionals in tort and contract actions, including attorneys, accountants, architects, engineers, contractors, directors and officers, brokers, dealers and fiduciaries. He has extensive experience with real estate actions, defending numerous parties, including real estate agents, brokers, developers, appraisers, title and settlement agents, and lenders.
Jonathan devotes considerable time on behalf of his clients in complex commercial, contract, construction, fraud, professional negligence/malpractice, statutory violations, shareholder/member disputes, directors/officers, business tort, and whistleblower litigation, and he has tried many cases to verdict. He brings to the firm a unique combination of business and litigation skills developed during his career. This background is invaluable to his representation of various individuals, private and public companies, including Fortune 500 corporations, and non-profit entities in a broad range of matters. He is highly sought after by clients and insurance carriers for his ability to handle extremely complex and difficult matters.
Jonathan graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992, where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance. He obtained his juris doctor in 1996 from the University of Miami School of Law, graduating cum laude. Jonathan is admitted to the Bar of the state of Florida. He is also admitted to practice before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida.
Honors & awards
Who's Who In American Law - Top Lawyers
Year joined
2005
Results
Court affirms dismissal of real estate agent and his broker.
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
Real Estate E&O Liability
December 2, 2021
Our attorneys succeeded in obtaining an affirmance by the Fourth District Court of Appeal. The Fourth District affirmed the dismissal, with prejudice, of our clients, a listing real estate agent and his broker, in an alleged negligence and fraud case. The court rejected the plaintiff’s arguments that the trial court abused its discretion in dismissing their pleadings due to their attorney’s conduct. The court detailed how the plaintiff’s attorney dropped the ball in litigating the case in a separate opinion reversing the plaintiffs’ attorney’s contempt conviction.
Arbitration Defense Verdict for Prominent Florida Real Estate Developer
Architectural, Engineering & Construction Defect Litigation
February 10, 2021
Marshall Dennehey and its shareholder, Jonathan E. Kanov, Esq., were successful in a South Florida arbitration representing a prominent Florida real estate developer against construction damage claims brought by a neighboring property’s condominium association. In a final, binding ruling, the arbitrator issued a complete defense verdict, plus an award of attorney’s fees and costs to the developer.
Directed Verdict Obtained After Close of Plaintiffs’ Case Against Property Management Company
Real Estate E&O Liability
Commercial Litigation
February 24, 2020
Prevailed at trial in Broward County in defense of a property management company of a tax-credit housing community in Lauderhill. The plaintiff, the corporate owner of the property, brought claims for negligence, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and statutory breaches in the management and operation of the property. The case was litigated over seven years, and the plaintiff had sought millions of dollars in damages. After a week of the plaintiff’s testimony, and eviscerating cross-examinations, we were successful in obtaining a directed verdict.
Thought Leadership
Legal Updates for Lawyers’ Professional Liability - CASE LAW UPDATE
Fort Lauderdale
Lawyers' Professional Liability
September 1, 2025
Arbitration Clause in Attorney Retainer Agreement Covering Professional Negligence Claims Found to Be Valid and BindingHill v. Farah & Farah, No. 2024-11972-CICI (Volusia) Legal Updates for Lawyers’ Professional Liability - September 2025 is prepared by Marshall Dennehey to provide information on recent legal development
Seismic Changes May Soon Be Coming to Florida Statutes for Comparative Negligence, Lodestar Fee, Statute of Limitations and One-Way Attorney’s Fees Against Insurers
Fort Lauderdale
Lawyers' Professional Liability
April 1, 2023
With the support of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida House Bill 837 was filed on February 15, 2023, which would bring comprehensive reforms to civil litigation in Florida.
On the Pulse...Our Real Estate E&O Liability Practice Group
Real Estate E&O Liability
December 1, 2022
Our Real Estate E&O Liability Practice Group has a long history of representing real estate professionals. Defense Digest, Vol.
How Insurance Agents Can Respond to Drastic Changes in Florida’s Property Insurance Market From a Risk Perspective (and Why Real Estate Agents Shouldn’t Have the Same Concern)
Fort Lauderdale
Insurance Agents & Brokers Liability
Real Estate E&O Liability
November 1, 2022
The state of Florida is in the midst of a property insurance crisis, Legal Update for Insurance Agents & Brokers - November 2022, has been prepared for our readers by Marshall Dennehey.
Classes/Seminars Taught
Anatomy of a Real Estate Transaction: How Actions of Participants Give Rise to Claims, Client Presentation, July, 2019
FDIC Actions Against Appraisers, 2012 - 2013
Trends in Florida Real Estate E&O Claims, 2010 - 2013
Subprime Lending Crisis and the Growing Litigation Claims Against Real Estate Professionals: Understanding How This Happened and Planning for Actionable Defense Strategies, 2008
Internet Research for Florida Legal Counsel and Staff, CLE Speaker Series, 2000-2008
Accounting Malpractice Pre- and Post Sarbanes-Oxley and When It Is Appropriate To Withdraw From A Public Audit, 2005-2006
Media Commentary
"Ghost of 2008 Crash Still Haunts Real Estate E&O," Insurance Journal, cover story, February 8, 2016
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or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
