Jose Felix Diaz is a government law attorney, specializing in Land Use and Entitlements. He represents clients in complex matters involving zoning, land use, land use litigation, commercial litigation, code compliance and enforcement, and comprehensive planning. His work includes representing individuals, non-profits, and various other entities before county and municipal boards throughout South Florida including the Cities of Miami, Miami Beach, North Bay Village, Bay Harbor Islands, Doral, Key Biscayne, Hialeah, Coral Gables, and Miami-Dade County.

Jose has been honored by both Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami for his national and local involvements. In 2010, Jose was elected to the Florida House of Representatives where he currently sits on the Tax & Finance Committee, as well as the Community & Military Affairs, Health Care Appropriations, Health Care Quality, and Federal Affairs Subcommittees.

Areas of Expertise

• Economic Development & Incentives 
• Florida Land Use & Entitlements
• Land Use Litigation
• Local Government Advocacy 

Representative Experience

• Assisted in representation of client with drafting and negotiating for an amendment to its Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, and the Community Redevelopment Agency.
• Assists in representation of various private clients in matters related to bid protests and procurement. Assists in representation of various Developments of Regional
• Impact (DRIs) throughout Florida with permitting and development issues for office, mixed-use, and large-scale residential projects.

Awards and Recognition

• Super Lawyers Magazine 2010, 2011 Listed in Florida as a "Rising Star" for Land Use/Zoning, General Litigation, and Government/Cities/Municipalities
• Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2009, Listed as an "Up and Coming" Lawyer
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 2009, Recognized as a "40 Under 40" Outstanding Lawyer of Miami-Dade County
• Minority Chamber of Commerce, Young Professional of the Year
• ABA Law Student Division 2004-2005, Silver Key Recipient
• Florida College Student of the Year 2002
• City of Miami, Commendation for Excellence
• Miami-Dade County, Proclamation for Excellence
• Miami Fellows, Class V

Published Work and Lectures

• ABA Mid-Year Meeting, Moderator, Law Student Outreach Program, 2007
• University of Miami Leadership Summit, Keynote Speaker, 2007
• American Student Government Association Conference, Featured Speaker, 2007

Court Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

Professional Memberships & Activities

• Cuban American Bar Association, Past Board Member, Legislative Committee Vice Chair
• CHARLEE Homes for Children, Board Member, Executive Committee Member
• St. Brendan High School Alumni Board, President
• American Bar Association, House of Delegates and Governance Commission, Florida Bar Under 35 Delegate
• Dade County Bar Association, Member
• The Florida Bar, Environmental and Land Use Law Section, Member
• Hispanic National Bar Association, Member
• American Bar Association, State and Local Government Law Section, Member
• American Bar Association, Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee, Member
• Urban Land Institute (ULI), Young Leaders, Member
• Coral Gables Community Relations Board, Past Member
• University of Miami Alumni Association, Reunion Committee, Member
• Beacon Council, Young Leaders Taskforce, Past Member

Related Professional Experience

• Contestant on NBC's "The Apprentice", Season Five, New York
• Andrx Corporation, Florida 

Other Languages

•  Spanish

Associated News, Events, Publications

• News 75 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys Named to 2011 Super Lawyers Florida Lists (Jul. 15, 2011)
• 35 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys Recognized in Florida Trend's 2009 Florida Legal Elite (Jul. 23, 2009)

Paractices

• Real Estate

Education

• J.D., Columbia University School of Law, 2005; American Review of International Arbitration, Senior Editor 
• B.A., University of Miami, 2002; with honors

Bar Admissions

• Florida

One Southeast Third Avenue

25th Floor Miami, FL 33131

Tel:305.755.5828

Fax:305.374.5095

jose.diaz@akerman.com