Joyner, Leslie H.

Michael E. Stearns has practiced exclusively in the area of Construction Law since 1996 and was designated as a Board Certified expert in construction law by the Florida Bar in 2005, the first year this designation was available. Mr. Stearns is "AV" rated by Martindale Hubble, the highest professional peer rating for legal ability and ethical standards. He is listed among the "Best Lawyers In America", "Florida Super Lawyers" and "South Florida's Top Lawyers". Michael E. Stearns has been a Florida Certified Building Contractor for more than two decades. He started his construction career in the 1980's as a carpenter while working to earn his bachelor's degree in Building Construction from the University of Florida, M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction. He has worked as an estimator and as a superintendent and managed multi-million dollar construction projects as a project manager prior to embarking on his legal career.

Mr. Stearns is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida Bar. He is admitted to practice in all Florida state and federal courts. He is a Member of the American Bar Association (Litigation, Alternate Dispute Resolution Sections and the Forum on the Construction Industry); Broward County Bar Association (Real Property and Trial Lawyers Sections) and formally served on the Construction Documents Committee and Surety Bonding Committee of the Associated General Contractors of America. Mr. Stearns is active in the South Florida Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors and has served on its Legislative Committee which is involved in educating legislators on construction issues and advocating on behalf of the construction industry. Mr. Stearns is an adjunct professor of construction law and frequently lectures to contractors and attorneys on construction law issues. Mr. Stearns concentrates his practice exclusively in construction law including litigation, arbitration, mediation and negotiation of construction matters including construction lien claims and defense, payment and performance bond claims and defense, bid protests, construction contract preparation and negotiation and construction defect claims and defense.