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the owner through the condemnation process
the rights of owners
for owners to be fully compensated
We have the resources and experience to take your case to trial.
Susan R. Morris, Paralegal
Cary Gaylord has represented clients in over 30 counties in Florida as well as in the federal courts and courts of Illinois and Georgia. He has handled cases involving large vacant parcels, churches, national big box retailers, shopping centers, gas station/convenience stores, fast food restaurants, supermarket chains, professional offices, farmers, retailers, grove operators, golf course owners, homeowners, as well as other properties both in eminent domain and inverse condemnation proceedings.
He has authored and co-authored numerous articles including chapters in Nichols on Eminent Domain covering maps of reservation as well as power lines and electromagnetic fields. Mr. Gaylord also co-authored "The Public Purpose Doctrine" chapter of the Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure Manual - the authoritative publication on eminent domain issues for the Florida Bar.
He has also lectured on these and other condemnation topics for the American Bar Association, Southwestern Legal Foundation, ALI-ABA, the Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Associations as well as numerous other groups.
Mr. Gaylord was selected to Florida Trend Magazine's "Legal Elite" in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He was also recognized in 2006, 2007 and 2008 in the "Best Lawyers in America" publication and as a "Super Lawyer" by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine. In 2006 he was invited to participate as a senior panelist in The National Conference on Ethics in America at United States Military Academy.
Martindale Hubbell has awarded Mr. Gaylord an AV rating the highest rating given to attorneys. He is also recognized in the Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the field of eminent domain.
Mr. Gaylord is a member of the Hillsborough County, Florida and American Bar Associations and is active in the Eminent Domain Committees of the Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Associations. He served as Chairman of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee from 1982 to 1984. He is a member of the Florida Justice Association and the American Association for Justice. He was invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates whose membership is limited to attorneys who have extensive jury trial experience and who exhibit "high personal character and honorable reputation." In addition Mr. Gaylord is a Master of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Inns of Court (2005 to present.)
Mr. Gaylord served as a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit from 1999 to 2007 and was reappointed to the Commission by the Governor in 2008. During his tenure with the JNC, he was elected twice to serve as its chairman. Previous to this he served a four year term as a member of the Grievance Committee for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
Mr. Gaylord was born in Tampa, Florida on February 4, 1947, where he remained until his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. After graduating from West Point in 1969, he completed both airborne and ranger schools before beginning his service in the infantry branch of the US Army. Selected by the Army to attend law school in 1971, he obtained his law degree from the University of Florida in 1974 then served in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps for the remainder of his military service.
He began practicing in the field of eminent domain in 1978, working first in Miami, then in Sarasota and moving back to Tampa in 1983. In July 2000 he helped form the law firm of Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain.
Mr. Gaylord is a member of Idlewild Baptist Church and serves as Chairman of the Board of Family First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families. Fishing and spear fishing, hunting and riding his motorcycle are recreational activities enjoyed by him and his family
He is married to Ann Kirkconnell Gaylord and they have two married children.
Kate Palozzi, Paralegal
Kimbel L. Merlin is a trial attorney whose practice has focused on representing corporate owners in eminent domain. Her major clients include gas stations, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, major retailers, professional offices, commercial outparcels, as well as numerous other properties and businesses.
Ms. Merlin has held several leadership positions in eminent domain during her career. These include: Chair of the ABA Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Committee (1982 - 1985); Chair of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee (1993 - 1994); Co-Chair of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Eminent Domain Committee (1997-1998) and member of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure Steering Committee (1999 - present).
Her proudest career accomplishment is instituting the first-ever eminent domain program for the states' circuit judges at their annual education conference in July 1995. She co-chaired subsequent circuit judges' programs in September 1995, September 1996 and July 2000.
Ms. Merlin has written numerous eminent domain articles, including a chapter on "Special Benefits" in the leading national condemnation treatise,Nichols on Eminent Domain, and the chapter on "Authority to Exercise Power" in the Florida Eminent Domain Practice & Procedure Manual - Florida's premier condemnation treatise.
She is recognized in the Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the field of eminent domain and has been selected to Florida Trend Magazine's "Legal Elite" in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. She was also recognized in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 "Best Lawyers in America" publication and as a "Super Lawyer" by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Ms. Merlin is a member of the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (FPMA) and International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). She is a member of The Florida Bar, the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Ms. Merlin was born in Gainesville, Florida on February 12, 1961. Her family moved to Titusville, Florida in 1968. She graduated from Titusville High School in 1979 and returned to Gainesville for college. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida in 1983 and her law degree in 1986. Ms. Merlin was a member of the University of Florida Law Review from 1984 - 1986 and served as Executive Editor during her last year of law school. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority, Golden Key Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi. After graduation from law school she moved to Tampa.
She began in late 1986 with a civil litigation firm practicing exclusively in the field of eminent domain and became a partner in 1991. In 1994, Ms. Merlin became a directing partner and remained so until July 2000 when she helped form the law firm of Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain. She is admitted to practice before all Florida courts and the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
She is married to William F. ("Chip") Merlin, owner and founder of Merlin Law Group, a Plaintiff's insurance firm in Tampa. They have two children, Chase and Austin. Their family attends Christ the King Catholic Church and is a member of Palma Ceia Country Club, The Tampa Gator Club and Bull Gators. They are avid Gator fans and are active in supporting the Academy of the Holy Names and Jesuit High School in Tampa.
Donna B. Williams, Paralegal
Lorena Hart Ludovici represents clients throughout the state of Florida. She has handled cases in Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. Her diverse clientele includes shopping center owners, retailers, supermarket chains, gas stations, restaurants, professional offices, cell tower owners, golf course owners as well as farmers, grove operators, home-owners and many others.
Ms. Ludovici's involvement in inverse condemnation includes actions for loss of access, flooding of private property, the reservation of land through the application of maps of reservation, as well as the loss of development potential caused by the blighting presence of a government project.
Ms. Ludovici's leadership in the field of eminent domain includes chairing The Florida Bar's eminent domain committee in 1991, 2001 and serving as co-chair in 1998-1999; co-chair of continuing legal education and co-chair of CLE International's 2nd, 3rd and 11th Annual Super Conferences on Eminent Domain. She has served on the eminent domain steering committee for the judge's conferences co-chairing several of the programs held in July and September 1995, September 1996 and July 2000.
Ms. Ludovici has spoken before her colleagues on topics such as "Trial Planning and Organization" and "Making a Case for Condemnation Blight." She has also written numerous articles on topics including "Regulatory Takings" and "Condemnation Blight."
Ms. Ludovici was selected to Florida Trend Magazine's "Legal Elite" in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. She was also recognized in 2007 and 2008 in the "Best Lawyers in America" publication and as a "Super Lawyer" by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Ms. Ludovici is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and also served as president for the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers in 2001 - 2002. She is a member of The Florida Bar, the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Ms. Ludovici was born on October 23, 1964 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After moving to Tampa she graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1983. Ms. Ludovici attended the University of Florida where she received her B.S. degree with honors in business administration / marketing in 1986. While attending the University of Florida, Ms. Ludovici was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, Alpha Mu Alpha Marketing Honorary, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma Honorary and Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Honorary. In 1989 Ms. Ludovici received her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. While attending Stetson, Ms. Ludovici was a member of the Stetson Law Review, served as a Teaching Fellow for the research and writing course, and was on the honor roll.
Immediately upon graduation from Stetson, Ms. Ludovici joined a civil litigation firm practicing exclusively in the field of eminent domain and became a partner in 1994. In July 2000, she helped form the law firm of Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain. She is admitted to practice before all Florida courts, the U.S. District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ms. Ludovici is married to attorney/mediator Joseph P. Ludovici, whose practice areas include worker's compensation and general liability insurance.
Carolyn Kearney, Paralegal
Andrew G. Diaz represents a variety of business and property owners in eminent domain and property rights litigation. He has handled cases involving the taking of large vacant parcels, national big box retailers, shopping centers, gas station/convenience stores, fast food restaurants, supermarket chains, professional offices, farms, retailers, grocers, golf courses, animal hospitals, warehouses, hotels, retail commercial space, homes, phosphate mining lands, ranches as well as other properties.
In addition to his practice, Mr. Diaz has held leadership positions relating to the practice of eminent domain law. He has served as Vice-Chair of the Eminent Domain Committee of the Florida Bar and as Chair of the Eminent Domain Committee for the International Council of Shopping Centers Government Relations Committee. He also served on the Steering Committee of the Florida Real Estate Trends and Networking Conference held at Florida State University. In 2000, Mr. Diaz was recognized by the FSU Real Estate Network for his contributions to the real estate program at Florida State University.
He has been an author and lecturer on the topic of eminent domain law. He was the Program Co-Chair of CLE International's Florida law Eminent Domain conference in Tampa and spoke at the CLE International Eminent Domain Conference in Denver, Colorado. He served a second term as Program Co-chair for the CLE International Eminent Domain Super Conference and presented on the topic of Land Planning Issues and Compensation. He has been a frequent lecturer at Florida State University, College of Business, Real Estate Department, and has been a guest speaker at the BOMA Legal Seminar Series and at the Association of Eminent Domain Professionals Conference in Miami.
Mr. Diaz has written articles regarding eminent domain which include "Full Compensation and the Recovery of Mortgage Costs" (2002); "Conceptual Site Plans and Highest and Best Use," Hillsborough County Bar Journal (1999); "Feasibility, Business Damages and the Cost to Cure," Hillsborough County Bar Journal (1998); "The Road Ahead: Safely Guiding the Property Owner Through the Hazards of a Government Taking" (1997).
Selected to Florida Trend Magazine's "Legal Elite" in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 and featured in Super Lawyers Publication 2007 & 2008 and Best Lawyers in America 2008.
Mr. Diaz is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the Jesuit High School Foundation and is a certified real estate appraiser. He is a member of The Florida Bar, the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the Board of Governors for the Florida State University College of Business (2007).
Mr. Diaz was born in Tampa, Florida on February 27, 1964. He is a graduate of Tampa's Jesuit High School, Florida State University and Stetson University College of Law. While at Florida State University, he was a member of the Order of Omega National Greek Honorary, Gold Key Campus Leadership Honorary and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. At Stetson he was on the honor roll and served as a teaching fellow. Mr. Diaz and his wife Robin have two daughters and the family attends Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa.
After graduating from Florida State, he began his career as a Real Estate Appraiser for Bay Area Appraisal and Consulting. During this time, he successfully completed the State of Florida's requirements for certification as an appraiser, and is currently a certified real estate appraiser. Mr. Diaz began the practice of law as an Assistant County Attorney for Pinellas County. At the County Attorney's office, his practice areas were limited to eminent domain and development review.
He joined a civil litigation firm practicing exclusively in the field of eminent domain in 1995 and became a partner in 1999. He remained a partner until July 2000 when he helped form the law firm of Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain. He is admitted to practice before all Florida courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Carol Edler, Paralegal
Paul D. Bain is a partner having represented individuals and corporations exclusively in eminent domain and property rights litigation throughout the State of Florida for over 15 years. He has represented clients both large and small with collectively over 100,000 acres of property in Florida.
In addition to his eminent domain practice, Mr. Bain represents property and business owners in administrative proceedings when facing the closure or modification of a driveway, median or other public authority action. He also provides litigation assistance on appellate matters.
Mr. Bain has repeatedly received the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell and members of The Florida Bar. He was selected to Florida Trend's "Legal Elite" in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and was recognized as a "Super Lawyer" by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine in 2007 & 2008 and Best Lawyers in America 2008.
Mr. Bain has spoken on such issues as "Forced Dedications," "Don't Get 'Taken' by a Government Taking" and "Litigating the Road Case." In addition to speaking, Mr. Bain has written a number of articles such as "Recovering Damages for Loss of Access in Eminent Domain" appearing in PetroGram and "1999 Amendments to Florida's Eminent Domain Statutes," appearing in the leading publication for Florida attorneys, the Florida Bar Journal. He has also served as Program Co-Chair of the CLE International's Florida Eminent Domain SuperConference.
He has been published in the premier condemnation publication, the Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education's Florida Eminent Domain Practice & Procedure, the Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer, The Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association's PetroGram, and the Florida Association of Realtor's Florida Realtor. He has also written articles for The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee, the Eminent Domain Committee Condemnation Seminar, and the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges Eminent Domain Seminar.
Mr. Bain is a member of The Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. As a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Mr. Bain has served as Co-Chair of the Eminent Domain Committee. As a member of The Florida Bar, Mr. Bain is involved in the Eminent Domain Committee. He is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Mr. Bain was born in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from South Plantation High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He obtained his B.A. from John B. Stetson University, followed by his J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law. Mr. Bain, his wife, Michele, and their five children attend a local church in Tampa, Florida
While attending the University of Florida College of Law, Mr. Bain served as a Senior Research Editor for the Florida Law Review, was a teaching fellow for the Legal Research and Writing course, and was a multiple honor roll recipient.
During college, he was selected by his peers to be a member of Mortar Board, a national senior honor society recognizing scholarship, leadership, and service to the campus and community. He also served as Features Editor and as a writer for sports, features, and editorials for the college paper, The Stetson Reporter.
He joined a civil litigation firm practicing exclusively in the field of eminent domain in September 1993 where he became a partner in 1998. He remained a partner until July 2000 when he helped form the law firm of Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain. He is admitted to practice before all Florida courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Tracy Gratton, Paralegal
Ellen Neil is a trial attorney whose practice has covered every aspect of eminent domain litigation. She has represented condemning authorities as well as owners in condemnation projects for roads, schools, power line corridors, gas lines and redevelopment projects. Her major clients include gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, professional offices, residential property owners and small business owners.
Ms. Neil handled the acquisition of a 26 mile electric transmission corridor, as well as road projects for several cities and counties before focusing her practice on property owners. She has written numerous articles on condemnation and speaks frequently before owners associations, bar association groups and other professional associations involved in eminent domain matters. She is recognized in the Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the field of Eminent Domain.
Ms. Neil is a member of The Florida Bar, the Charlotte County Bar Association, the Lee County Bar Association and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. She is also a member of the National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.
Ms. Neil was born in Providence, Rhode Island on October 22, 1946. She attended Rhode Island College and received her B.S. in 1968, and a Master's Degree in Special Education in 1969, both with high honors. She attended Stetson University College of Law and was a member of the Law Review from 1980-1981, graduating with high honors in 1981.
Ms. Neil was a partner in the Holland and Knight Law firm for 18 years before starting her own firm in 1999. She became Of Counsel to Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain in 2003. She is admitted to practice before all Florida Courts and the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Ellen Neil is certified as a mediator in all current courts of Florida and as an arbitrator for the Federal Courts in the Middle District of Florida. She has also been certified by NITA as an instructor and has completed advanced Trial Advocacy Training with NITA. She taught Appellate Advocacy at Stetson from 1982 - 1984, while at Holland and Knight.
Ms. Neil lives and practices in Boca Grande, Florida, where she attends Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and is on the Board of the Suncoast Humane Society.
Blake Gaylord is a December 2007 graduate of Stetson University College of Law. He joined Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain as an associate in spring of 2008 where he began practicing in the field eminent domain and property rights.
While at Stetson University, Mr. Gaylord, achieved multiple honors including being recognized as one of three Outstanding Graduates in the Fall of 2007 and was the recipient of the Fall 2007 Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund Award for outstanding performance and interest in the fields of property, real estate and land use planning. He was also member of the winning teams for both the ATLA/Yerrid Law Group Trial Competition and the Stetson College of Law Advanced Trial Competition. Mr. Gaylord has written articles regarding eminent domain which include "Eminent Domain Issues Raise Need for Condemnation Clauses," Tampa Bay Business Journal (2007) and "Condemnation Clauses for Landlords and Tenants: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure," Petrogram: News for Florida's Petroleum and Convenience Store Industry (Winter 2007).
Mr. Gaylord is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC),The Florida Bar Association and the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
Mr. Gaylord was born and raised in Tampa, Florida where he remained until his admission to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. While at the Academy, he spent a year at sea as a seaman's apprentice delivering commercial cargo to ports in Belgium, England, France, Germany, Holland, Israel, Malta, Mexico, Spain and Tunisia. After his time at sea, Mr. Gaylord was licensed as a Third Mate for Vessels of Unlimited Tonnage and an Advanced Marine Firefighter. Upon graduation from the Academy, he served for five years as an officer in the United States Army as a Platoon Leader of an amphibious watercraft platoon, the operations and planning officer of a waterborne battalion and as an executive officer for a contingency contracting detachment . This time included service with the Coalition Forces Land Component Command in Kuwait and Afghanistan during the Global War on Terror. He is married to Haven Davis Gaylord and together they enjoy freediving, spearfishing, running, biking and participating in triathlons.
