J. Derek Kantaskas
Top rated Construction Litigation attorney in Tampa, Florida
Practice Areas:
Business Litigation,
Construction Defects
Education Qualification:
Stetson University College of Law
Practice Areas:
Business litigation,
Construction defects
2102 W Cass StTampa, Florida, 33606
First Admitted: 2007, Florida
Professional Webpage: https://kantaskaslaw.com/derek-kantaskas/
Bar / Professional Activity:
- Florida Bar Member in Good Standing
- American Bar Association, Forum on Construction Law, Division 9 Steering Committee (2012-2019)
- Hillsborough County Bar Association Construction Law Section, Co-Chair (2018-2019)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- All state courts of Florida
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results):
- Defeated Class Certification related to Hillsborough County Sales Tax dispute; obtained favorable dismissal of lawsuit., 2021
- Represented homeowner in non-jury trial awarding homeowner full damages against contractor for construction defects., 2022
- Represented contractor in non-jury trial awarding full damages and construction lien foreclosure., 2022
Representative Clients:
- Successfully defended Contractor regarding numerous licensure complaints pending before the Department of Business and Professional Regulation., 2019
- Successfully defended Professional Engineer in licensure complaint pending before the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design Division of Regulation., 2019
Pro bono / Community Service:
- Leadership Tampa (Class of 2017), 2017
- Created non-profit organization for the purpose of rendering adoption services to children in foster care., 2021
- Successfully overturned Life Sentence for improper sentence in the Middle District of Florida., 2016
- U.S. Soccer Federation Professional Referee (1994-2005)
- American Heart Association, Team Captain, Heart Walk (2010-2011)
- Board of Adjustment, City of Pinellas Park Vice Chairman (2010-2011) and Board Member (2008-2010)
Honors:
- Awarded Most Pro Bono Hours Pledged, 15th Annual Judicial Pig Roast/Food Festival, Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Ferguson-White American Inn of Court Best Program Award, 2010-2011
- Recipient of 2011 “One” Pro-Bono Award, Florida Bar Foundation and the Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Up-and-Comer, Florida Trend’s 2011 Legal Elite
- Florida Super Lawyers – Rising Stars, 2011-2012
- Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers, 2013-2018
Educational Background:
- University of South Florida Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, 2003
- Stetson University College of Law Stetson Law Review, Articles & Symposia Editor, 2007
- Stetson University College of Law Juris Doctor, Summa Cum Laude, 2007
Scholarly Lectures / Writings:
- Lecturer, “Getting to CGL Coverage for Rip and Tear Damages in Construction Defect Claims,” ABA Forum on Construction Law, Division 7 Luncheon, Annual Meeting, Washington D.C. (April 2017)
- Co-Author, “Rights and Liabilities of the Owner, Architect and General Contractor,” Chapter 2 & 3 in Florida Construction Law and Practice, The Florida Bar Journal, 5th Edition (2006)
- Author, “Retroactive Change to Construction Licensing Requirements,” Lawyer Magazine, Hillsborough County Bar Association (September 2009)
- Co-Author, “A Snapshot of Chinese Drywall Litigation,” Lawyer Magazine, Hillsborough County Bar Association (July 2010)
- Co-Author, “Successfully Serving Two Masters: The Ethics of Joint Representation of Bond Sureties and Principals,” The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section, Construction Law Seminar (2012)
- Co-Author, “The High Hurdle to a Spoliation Claim: Is the Evidence Crucial?,” Lawyer Magazine, Hillsborough County Bar Association (October 2012)
- Contributing Author, “Special Considerations for Federal Construction Contracts,” Florida Construction Law and Practice, 7th Ed. (2013)
- Co-Author, “Relation Back … is Back,” Lawyer Magazine, Hillsborough County Bar Association (May 2014)
- Author, “Arbitration Jurisdiction and Unlicensed Contractors,” Lawyer Magazine, Hillsborough County Bar Association (September 2014)
- Co-Author, “The Rippin’ and the Tearin,’” Lawyer Magazine, Hillsborough County Bar Association (February 2016)
- Co-Author, “Injury is Nearly a Fact, While Rip and Tear is No Longer a Wild Card” Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section – ActionLine Vol. XXXVII, No. 3 (Spring 2016)
- Co-Author, “Triggering Rip and Tear Coverage” Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Insurance Matters! Vol. 4, Issue 3 (Winter 2016)
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