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Michelle Diffenderfer
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Areas of Practice

  • Represents clients before local, state and federal government bodies, agencies, and courts in environmental, administrative, zoning and land use issues.
  • Gains permitting and approvals for projects involving complex development issues related to jurisdictional wetlands, mitigation, threatened and endangered species, marinas, docking facilities, development of regional impacts, water quality and drainage.
  • Represents local governments and special districts as general counsel and special counsel related to environmental and water resource permitting issues.
  • Represents clients in the development, implementation and interpretation of Water Supply Policy, Plans, and Regulations.
  • Represents clients before the South Florida Regional Planning Council, Department of Community Affairs, South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, Water Resources Advisory Commission, South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force and Working Group.
  • Represents clients in the development of United States Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinions, Habitat Conservation Plans and in the issuance of Incidental Take Permits and related consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
  • Represents clients in the development and approval of LEED certified projects including interpretation of related requirements and regulations.
  • Represents Seminole Tribe of Florida as special environmental counsel including casino related development and water resource issues on Tribe’s various reservations and land holdings.
  • Represents clients in due diligence and as to ongoing permit compliance issues with the Water Management Districts, Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Professional, Civic and Community Involvement

  • American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy and Resources – Education Officer (2010-2012).
  • Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, Chair. (2012-2013).
  • The Florida Bar, Environmental and Land Use Law Section, Past-Chair.
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rating.
  • American Bar Foundation Fellow.
  • ATHENA® Award 2008, honoring individuals that have achieved professional excellence, actively served the community, and helped women to reach their leadership potential.
  • Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine, 2011.
  • Florida Super Lawyer – Environmental Law, 2010-2011.
  • 2011 Women Extraordinaire Award Recipient, Business Leader Magazine.
  • The International Who’s Who of Environmental Lawyers, 2009-2011.
  • Leadership Palm Beach County, Class of 2000.
  • Executive Women of the Palm Beaches, Member.
  • Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Inc.
  • Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
  • United Way Leadership Circle.

Articles and Presentations