Mitchell J. Burnstein

Mitchell Burnstein, the Firm’s Managing Director, is a senior trial attorney responsible for handling a wide variety of disputes involving land throughout Florida.  He specializes in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, constitutional takings, and litigation involving private property rights, claims against title, disputes concerning contracts, easements, boundaries, tenancies, licenses, and land use restrictions imposed by governmental entities.  Mitch handles litigation matters at both the trial court and appellate levels.

In 2001, Mitch established the firm’s Eminent Domain Practice Group.  He has served as lead counsel in hundreds of condemnation matters throughout Florida on behalf of public sector clients, private property owners, businesses, and utilities.

Mitch’s condemnation experience covers a wide range of governmental purposes, including transportation, right of way creation, and roadway expansion; construction of schools, libraries, civic centers, jails, public works, utilities, and electrical facilities; community redevelopment; affordable housing; environmental protection; drainage; watershed; and recreation.

He has litigated all categories of damage claims (value of property taken, severance damages, business damages, cost to cure, apportionment, federal and state relocation benefits, trade fixtures, attorney’s fees, expert’s fees, and litigation costs) that involve a broad range of property interests (fee, tenancy, easement, concession, and restrictive covenants).

Mitch has served as lead counsel in more than 80 jury trials in state and federal courts during his career, and is recognized within the legal community as an accomplished litigator.  Prior to joining the Firm, he served as a lead prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office and as a senior litigator in the Attorney General’s Office. Mitch often serves as an expert witness, and is a frequent author and lecturer on private property rights and takings issues.

Professional Association:

• The Florida Bar
  • Eminent Domain Committee, 1993-present
• Barrister
  • Stephen R. Booher American Inns of Court, 1994-present

Education:

• University of Florida College of Law, JD, 1989
• Emory University, BA, Economics, 1986