Prior to joining the firm in 1983, Mr. Fernandez served as Assistant General Counsel with the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation from 1977 to 1980, and as Deputy General Counsel of the agency from 1980 to 1983. In both capacities, he served primarily as the litigation attorney, but was also extensively involved with rulemaking licensing enforcement and appellate practice. During his tenure as Deputy General Counsel, he was also the attorney assigned by the agency to handle the Department's legislative matters. He holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Miami, a J.D. from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law and an LL.M. in Ocean and Coastal Law (area of concentration: environmental and land use law) from the University of Miami. Since entering private practice, a substantial portion of his practice has involved representation of private industry, including member companies of FPPAEA, Inc. land developers, chemical manufacturers and mining concerns in areas of air and water pollution, water resources, infrastructure permitting, and solid and hazardous waste matters. He has also served as outside environmental counsel to numerous counties and cities throughout the state.
