Meghan O. Serrano is Board certified in business litigation by The Florida Bar, Meghan is considered an expert in her field, practicing in all phases of civil and business litigation, including performing and analyzing discovery; drafting motions; attending mediations, hearings, and motion sessions; conducting witness depositions; and preparing for trial and appellate proceedings.
Meticulous and hardworking, Meghan regularly represents businesses, banks, and landlords in both state and federal court at the trial level and on appeal. Primarily focusing on real-property litigation, Meghan collaborates with her clients and colleagues to develop the strongest possible strategy to achieve client objectives, whether defensive or offensive, before disputes erupt into expensive and protracted litigation.
She has extensive experience representing lenders in title claims, foreclosures, deficiencies, workouts, and REO matters; representing landlords regarding lease issues, tenant disputes, and eviction actions; and representing investors with respect to acquisitions of defaulted loans and loan portfolios.
She handles real estate broker deposits and commission disputes, and Florida Real Estate Commission complaints. In addition, Meghan regularly counsels clients regarding alternate methods of dispute resolution.
With a passion for sharing her knowledge, Meghan is a contributing author to the 2016 supplement to Foreclosures in Florida (Lexis Nexis), which contains information she gained during the Great Recession while working with banks on loan defaults and foreclosure. In addition, she is in the process of co-authoring the forthcoming 2018 supplement.
Education:
- J.D., University of Connecticut, 2004
- B.A., Boston College, 2001
Bar and Court Admissions:
- District of Columbia, 2009
- Florida, 2008
- Massachusetts, 2004
- United States District Court Middle District of Florida, 2009
- U.S. Court of Appeals Eleventh Circuit, 2016
- United States Supreme Court, 2018
Representative Matters:
- On behalf of a multibillion dollar REIT, Meghan successfully obtained a federal court judgment against a national commercial tenant, requiring the tenant to pay the entire accelerated lease amount, even though the tenant never took possession of the premises as a consequence of a denied use permit. (BRE Mariner Marco Town Center, LLC v. Zoom Tan, Inc., Case No. 16-13042, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit)
- On behalf of the loan purchaser, Meghan obtained a foreclosure judgment in favor of the lender in excess of $2.5 million. Meghan successfully obtained appointment of receiver to manage a 300 plus acre property, including two golf courses and related amenities to preserve status quo during litigation proceedings.
- Successfully obtained appointment of receiver to manage multiple chain hotel properties to preserve business operations and secure property during foreclosure litigation.
- Represented real-property sellers and purchasers at all phases of litigation and pre-litigation, related to disputes regarding agreements to purchase property, including interpleader actions regarding a dispute over deposit amounts held in escrow and disputes regarding disclosures provided and representations made.
Professional and Community Affiliations:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, Member, Board of Directors and Women Ambassadors
- Clerk of Court Liaison, Sarasota County Bar Association
- Chair, Appellate Practice Section, Sarasota County Bar Association
- Dishes for Wishes Co-Chair, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & Northern Florida
Cost
Rate : $$$