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Lauren D. Brooks

Areas of Practice

  • Practices in the areas of local, state and federal environmental and land use transactions and litigation, including permit challenges, rule challenges, and remediation of contaminated sites.

  • Represents corporate and individual clients, and local governments across Florida.

  • Experience with local governments and governmental entities litigating and advising on PFOS/PFAS contamination, including litigating in MDL in U.S. District Court in South Carolina.

  • Experience working with clients in the food and drug industry and consumer product manufacturing industry advising on compliance with California’s consumer protection law “Proposition 65” or “Prop 65.”

  • Experience working with clients in the consumer product manufacturing industry, particularly for disinfectants, advising on compliance with FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act).

  • Experience litigating under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, where government is alleged to act under state or local law to deprive rights created by the U.S. Constitution or federal statutes.

  • Experience with investment firms conducting state and federal environmental and land use due diligence for solar projects in the southeastern U.S.

  • Participated as Amicus Curiae in the Department of State v. Florida Greyhound Association, Inc., 253 So. 3d 513 (Fla. 2018), by filing briefs with the trial and supreme court and presenting oral argument at trial court.

  • Participated as Amicus Curiae in en banc rehearing of Francis v. Kings Park Manor, Inc., 944 F.3d 370 (2d Cir. 2019), reh’g en banc granted, 949 F.3d 67 (2d Cir. 2020), by assisting in drafting brief filed with the en banc court.

Publications and Presentations

  • Client Alert for Public Water Suppliers Regarding Potential Settlements from 3M and DuPont, October, 2023

  • Federal and State PFAS Update, The Florida Bar Annual Convention, 2023

  • Environmental and Land Use Section Update, The Florida Bar Annual Convention, 2021-2022

  • Local Code Enforcement and State Enforcement Procedures, Environmental and Land Use Law Section of The Florida Bar, moderator, January 2022

  • The New Scope of Florida’s Water Quality Assurance Act, The Florida Bar Journal, November/December 2021

  • Environmental and Land Use Law Treatise, Federal and State Protection of Drinking Water Section, pending publication

  • A Primer Dealing with Contaminated Property in Florida, The Florida Bar CLE Course, April 2021

  • Eminent Domain Section, Georgia Survey Edition of the Mercer Law Review, 77th Vol.

  • What in the PFAS is Going On? A CLE and related article providing a scientific and legal introduction to PFAS chemicals, explaining why and how these chemicals are being regulated, and highlighting potential uncertainties and risks, December 2019

  • The Florida Public Records Act in the Era of Modern Technology, The Florida Bar Journal, November/December 2018

  • A Modest Proposal: Raise the Mandatory Judicial Retirement Age, Florida Coastal Law Review, Fall 2016

  • The Big Catch: Navigating South Carolina’s Recreational Use Statute, SC Lawyer, November 2015

Professional, Civic and Community Involvement

  • Admitted to the U.S. District Court and the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida

  • The Florida Bar, Environmental and Land Use Law Section, Treasurer, 2022-2023; Secretary, 2021-2022; CLE Committee, Chair, 2020-present

  • Environmental and Land Use Law Section Update, The Florida Bar Annual Convention, Program Co-Chair, 2020-2022

  • The Federalist Society, Member

  • The First District Appellate American Inn of Courts, Member

Previous Professional Experience

  • Florida First District Court of Appeal, Senior Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Scott D. Makar, 2013-2017

  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida—Orlando Division, Judicial Intern for the Honorable Roy B. Dalton, Jr., 2013

Representative Court Decisions

  • Represented one of the nation’s largest banks as local counsel conducting state and federal environmental and land use due diligence.

  • Successfully defended a Florida-based limestone mine company in a breach of contract action and counterclaim.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Florida Rising Stars, Environmental Litigation; Environmental Law; Land Use/Zoning; Appellate; Energy & Natural Resources, 2021-present

  • The Stephens/Register Memorial Award, Environmental and Land Use Law Section of the Florida Bar, 2021

  • Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Environmental Law, 2021-present; Land Use and Zoning Law, 2023-present; Environmental Litigation and Commercial Litigation, 2024

  • Judy Florence Memorial Outstanding Service Award, Environmental and Land Use Law Section of the Florida Bar, 2020

  • University of Florida Levin College of Law, Pro Bono Certificate; Corporations Book Award

Practices

Industries

Education

  • J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2013

  • B.S., cum laude, Clemson University, 2004