Enforcing a Florida Non-Compete Agreement by a Successor or Assignee

Non-Compete Agreement

Pursuant to 542.335(1)(f), Fla. Stat., there is a  requirement for specific language in the non-compete agreement that authorizes enforcement of  that agreement by an assignee or successor , stating, 542.335(1)… (f) The court shall not refuse enforcement of a restrictive covenant on the ground that the person seeking enforcement is a third-party beneficiary of such contract or is an … Read more

Contract Reformation in Florida – Statute of Limitations

In Florida, a party to a contract may seek to invoke the equitable jurisdiction of the Court to enforce a contract that does not accurately reflect the agreement made by the parties.  If the Contract does not accurately reflect the agreement between the parties, a party can ask the Court to reform the contract to accurately reflect the true intentions … Read more

Foreclosing Construction Lien on Condominium for Common Area Work

Condominium Lien

Florida Lien Law, Fla. Stat. ch. 713 with Fla. Stat 718.121(2), provides that a construction lien based on labor performed on or materials furnished to common elements, when such contract work was authorized by the association, constitutes a lien against all condominium parcels. However, there are some particularities when enforcing such liens.  Contrary to popular … Read more

Overhead and Profit Includable In Florida Construction Lien – Maybe?

Fraudulent Lien

A claim of lien may cover the reasonable value of the work performed and in place inclusive of profit and overhead,  if such overhead and profit is a component of the reasonable value of the work. Under Florida Law, a lineor is entitled to a lien for money owed for labor, services, and materials provided to … Read more

Pleading Subject Matter Jurisdiction – Consistency with Exhibits

subject matter jurisdiction florida

The circuit courts of Florida have subject matter jurisdiction over actions at law in which the matter in controversy exceeds $ 15,000, exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney’s fees. See Art. V, § 20(c)(3), Fla. Const.; §§ 26.012(2)(a), 34.01(1)(c)4., Fla. Stat. (2003). In determining whether the trial court’s jurisdiction was properly invoked, the controlling standard … Read more

Setting Aside Default Judgments Without Excusable Neglect

set aside default final judgment

Occasionally, a client seeks help after a default has been entered against it, and there may be no reasonable basis to vacate the default within the excusable neglect framework. In some cases not all hope is gone, there maybe another tool in the attorney’s toolbox. If the Complaint that serves as the predicate for the default judgment was not well-pled (does … Read more

Failing to Perform Contract Promise is Not Fraudulent Inducement

Florida Law is well settled that a contractual promise not performed is not tantamount to fraud. As a general rule, fraud cannot be predicated upon a mere promise not performed.  Alexander/Davis Properties, Inc. v. Graham, 397 So.2d 699, 706 (Fla. 4th DCA 1981), petition for review denied, 408 So.2d 1093 (Fla. 1981).  Moreover, to cross … Read more

Florida Civil Conspiracy Action – When does group action make legal conduct actionable?

florida civil conspiracy

The general rule is that “an act which constitutes no ground of action against one person cannot be made the basis of a civil action for conspiracy,” 105 So.2d at 165, Liappas v. Augoustis, 47 So.2d 582 (Fla. 1950). However, there is an exception when in certain circumstances of mere force of numbers acting in … Read more

Unjust Enrichment Claims Against Project Owner, Not so Fast.

subcontractor unjust enrichment

When are subcontractor claims against an owner for unjust enrichment appropriate ? In Maloney v. Therm Alum Industries, Corp., 636 So. 2d 767 (FL. 4th DCA 1994), the Court held that a subcontractor could not sue an owner for unjust enrichment unless and until the subcontractor had exhausted its legal remedies against the general contractor with … Read more

Judgment Attaches to Real Property Only After Recordation of Certified Copy of Judgment

final judgment construction attorney

The normal course of action when a Florida Court (or a South Florida Court at least in my experience) enters a final judgment is for the clerk to record such judgment in the Official Records of the same County. However, this action by the Clerk does not cause such judgment to attach to real property of … Read more

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