miami construction lawyers

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Leonard W. Klingen

Partner | The Barthet Firm

About Leonard W. Klingen

With years spent overseas managing the affairs of a modular building manufacturer, then returning to the United States to work as a project manager for two notable general contractors before becoming a lawyer and devoting close to 20 years litigating construction disputes, Len is a seasoned construction professional and a Board Certified Construction Expert.

Holding a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida and an M.B.A. from the University of South Florida, Len obtained his law degree with honors from Nova Southeastern University. He is admitted to Florida's state courts, the District of Columbia, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and is also a Florida state certified building contractor. He has been published twice in the Florida Bar Journal, and has been a featured lecturer on the fundamentals of construction contracts, construction delay claims, and revisions to Florida's construction defect statute.

Background

Education

  • Bachelor of Design in Architecture, 1976, University of Florida
  • M.B.A., 1986, University of South Florida
  • J.D., 2003, Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, cum laude

Admissions

  • Florida’s state courts
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • Washington D.C.

Recognition, Awards And Certifications

  • Florida Bar Journal's 2016 Excellence in Writing Award
  • Board Certified in Construction Law, Florida Bar
  • C.M.A. (Certified Management Accountant)
  • State Certified Building Contractor, Florida
  • Class A General Contractor – South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia

Publications, Presentations And Professional Activities

  • Licensing of Florida Contractors, Florida Bar Journal (2018)
  • Our Due Process Debt to Magna Carta, Florida Bar Journal (2016)
  • That's About The Size Of It, Journal of Light Construction (2014)
  • Fundamentals of Construction Contracts and Construction Projects, Lorman Education Services (2008)
  • Collecting Construction Payments, Lorman Education Services (2008)
  • The Construction Process from Start to Finish - Project Delivery Systems, Lorman Education Services (2006)
  • Florida's New Construction Claims Statute and Related Claims Issues, Lorman Education Services (2006)

Representative Experience

Construction

Represented a glazing subcontractor in action against a general contractor, resulting in recovery of full payment to subcontractor after four week arbitration; defended development-contractor in subcontractor payment suit, and settled at no cost to the developer; represented general contractor in product liability claim against installer and manufacturer of rigid insulation board; presented a condominium defect suit on behalf of developer against general contractor, subcontractors and sureties, resulting in multi-million dollar settlement in favor of developer; proved general contractor's payment bond was not a conditional bond, resulting in recovery of full payment to drywall subcontractor; successfully defended general contractor against $500K subcontractor payment claim, resulting in no recovery for subcontractor after proving lien exaggerations and defects; provided ongoing counsel to contractor regarding disputes with inexperienced developer concerning construction scheduling and contract and completion issues on high-rise condominium project.