Michael J. Tomkiewicz -
Shareholder
Michael
J. Tomkiewicz specializes in Florida eminent domain and property
rights litigation. His practice encompasses a wide range of legal
areas, including representing property owners and businesses in
condemnation actions, inverse condemnation, regulatory takings, Bert
J. Harris claims, land use and zoning disputes, as well as commercial
and partnership litigation related to real estate. Michael has a
track record of success in handling complex and groundbreaking cases,
both at the trial and appellate levels.
With
a substantial portfolio of eminent domain cases, Michael has
consistently secured substantial benefits for his clients. Notable
achievements include:
Facilitating
a Pinellas County property owner in obtaining full compensation
amounting to $3,713,000, a remarkable increase of $2,058,675 over the
initial offer of $1,654,325.
Successfully
opposing the government's attempt to take an entire 50,000 sq. ft.
warehouse from a Broward County property owner, demonstrating that
only a portion of the warehouse was necessary for a road project.
Negotiating
a settlement of $300,000 on behalf of a Leon County property owner,
an exceptional 150-fold increase over the condemning authority's
initial offer of $2,000.
Michael
serves a diverse clientele, ranging from large national corporations
to local Florida businesses, individual property owners, and tenants,
including gas stations, shopping centers, doctor's offices, churches,
sand mines, and homeowners.
Background:
Michael's
dedication to eminent domain law is deeply rooted in his personal
experience with a government taking that affected a neighbor's lake
house—a place where he cherished many summers during his
upbringing. Originally from Upstate New York, where he resided on a
small farm, Michael is an alumnus of the Douglas Anderson School of
the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida. Interestingly, he once aspired to
pursue a career as a professional musician. Today, he continues to
support the arts alongside his wife, Ressa, and their three children.
Recognition:
• First
District Appellate Inn of Court, Master of the Bench
Civic
Involvement:
• Zeta
Beta Tau, House Corporation President
Reported
Cases:
• Berlin
v. State Dept. of Transp., Case No. 4D18-3057, --- So. 3d ---, 2020
WL 88799 (Jan. 8, 2020)
Professional
Associations and Memberships:
• The
Florida Bar
Eminent
Domain Committee, Member
• Tallahassee
Bar Association
