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Patrick W. Maraist, ESQ.




Patrick W. Maraist is the President and Founding Member of Maraist Law Firm, P.A. After years of experience in mid to large sized firms in Florida, Mr. Maraist decided to take his legal services to a higher level. The goals of Maraist Law Firm are to provide superior counseling and sustained advocacy with an emphasis on service to the client. Patrick is experienced in business and commercial litigation at the trial and appellate levels. He has represented the interests of corporate clients, former officers, directors, managers and key employees. Patrick has represented the interests of major landowners in land use, planning and growth management issues at the local level, in state and federal court and before the Division of Administrative Hearings ("DOAH"). His land use and property rights litigation experience includes regulatory takings, due process, equal protection and Section 1983 challenges at both the trial and appellate levels. He has also represented land owners under the Florida Private Property Rights Protection Act ("Harris Act"). Patrick has also represented consumers and businesses in actions under The Florida Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Florida's Civil Remedies for Criminal Practices Act, and in actions for Fraudulent Inducement, Conversion and Civil Theft.




Publications

"Transferable Development Rights," Treatise on Florida Environmental and Land Use Law, 2001.
"The Ripeness Doctrine in Florida Land Use Litigation," 71 Florida Bar Journal 58, February 1997.
"A Statutory Beacon in the Land Use Ripeness Maze: The Florida Private Property Rights Protection Act," 47 Florida Law Review 411, July 1995.

Cases/Sample Trial Representation Matters
Elizabeth Properties, Inc., et al v. Stiegele, (Fla. 4th DCA 2005) (Case No. 4D-04-120)(successful defense of venue challenge in multi-party complex commercial litigation).
Florida Wildlife Federation and Collier County Audubon Society v. Collier County, Department of Community Affairs and the Eastern Collier County Property Owners, 819 So. 2d 200 (Fla. 1st DCA 2002).

Florida Bar Membership 1997

Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida

Practice Areas
Business and Commercial Litigation, Employment and Labor Litigation, Real Estate and Construction Litigation, Land Use and Property Rights Litigation; Appellate Practice

Education
University of Florida, J.D., with honors (1996)
Florida Atlantic University, B.B.A., with high honors (1993)


Achievements

Associate Editor, Florida Law Review (1996)
Frank E. Maloney Memorial Writing Contest Winner (1996)
Attorney's Title Insurance Fund Writing Contest Winner (1996)
Phi Theta Kappa Academic Scholarship
Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society
Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society




Professional Associations

The Florida Bar (Appellate Section, Trial Lawyers Section, Young Lawyers Division)
Palm Beach County Bar Association (Circuit Civil Practice
Committee; Appellate Practice Committee)
Palm Beach County Justice Association



Legal Presentations and Seminar Speaking Engagements

"Background, History and Case Law Update of Regulatory Takings," CLE International Tampa, Florida, December 2001.

"Development of the Takings Doctrine," CLE International, Land Use Law, Las Vegas, April 2000.

"Partial Takings," CLE International, Regulatory Takings, Tampa, December 1999.