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R. Steven Lewis

Of Counsel | Tallahassee

Mr. Lewis represents clients before state and federal governmental bodies, agencies, courts and the Division of Administrative Hearings in matters concerning environmental and administrative issues for ports, airports and private development projects.

Areas of Practice

  • Negotiates issuance of state and federal permits for large-scale developments involving impacts to wetlands, endangered and threatened species, water quality, coastal construction and use of sovereign lands.

  • Negotiated settlement of complex class action suit against the State of Florida involving over 3,500 plaintiffs resulting in the sale of property to the state for approximately $17 million dollars.

  • Negotiates issuance of state and federal permits for the expansion of major Florida ports and airports.

  • Won administrative rule challenge against St. Johns River Water Management District on water quality standards for Lake Apopka.

Publications and Presentations

Professional, Civic and Community Involvement

  • The Florida Bar: Environmental and Land Use Law Section, Member

  • The American Bar Association: Section of Environment, Energy and Resources, Member

  • Technical Advisory Committee to the Department of Environmental Protection on rules pertaining to sovereign submerged lands, Member

Previous Professional Experience

  • Field Operations Division, Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, Director

  • Division of Environmental Permitting, Department of Environmental Regulation, Deputy Director

  • Chief of Staff to former United States Congressman Bill Nelson

Awards and Recognitions

  • Martindale Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated.

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation and Natural Resources Law, 2006-present; Lawyer of the Year, Natural Resources, Tallahassee, 2021 and 2023.

  • Florida Trend Magazine's Legal Elite, Environmental and Land Use Law, 2013, 2011 and 2004.

  • Listed in The International Who's Who of Environment Lawyers, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010 and 2008.

  • Listed in Chambers and Partners USA Guide, an annual listing of the leading lawyers and law firms in the world, 2005-present

Practices

Industries

Education

  • J.D., with honors, Florida State University College of Law, 1984

  • B.S., Florida State University, 1969