Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain represents property and business owners in eminent domain and property rights litigation throughout Florida and in other select states. Our lawyers represent all property and business owners, from standard takings to complex, multi-million dollar litigation. Our firm also has a full-time staff dedicated to monitoring transportation projects and other capital improvement projects, including private utility takings and other condemnation matters.

Statement of Practice

Civil Practice in State and Federal Courts, Real Estate Litigation, Property Rights, Eminent Domain, Property Taxation, Property Disputes, Boundary Disputes, Landlord and Tenant Law, Mediation.

Representative Clients:

7-Eleven, Inc.
Aetna
BP
Burger King Corporation
Cargill, Inc.
Coastal Petroleum Co.
Circle K Stores
CSX Transportation
Edens & Avant
Equiva Services, LLC
Exxon Mobil
GE Real Estate
Global Signal, Inc.
IMC Global Operations, Inc.
IMC Phosphates Co.
Just Brakes
Konover South
Mosaic
Motiva Enterprises, LLC
MONY Life Insurance Co.
Northern Trust Bank of Florida, N.A.
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Ryder Trucks
Shell Oil Co.
Texaco
Toys "R" Us, Inc.
Tosco Corp.
U-Haul
Wendy's International, Inc.
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.

Address

770 South Bayou Drive
Boca Grande, FL 33921, (Lee Co.)

Phone

Phone: 941-964-4461
Toll Free: 877-262-1833
Fax: 941-964-2461
Email: eneil@gaylordmerlin.com

Website

http://www.gaylordmerlin.com

Firm/Affiliate Offices

(For complete biographical data on other personnel, see Professional Biographies at Tampa, Florida)

OF COUNSEL

Ellen J. Neil (Of Counsel) born Providence, Rhode Island; admitted to bar, 1982, Florida and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. Education: Rhode Island College (B.S., 1969; M.S., 1970); Stetson University College of Law (J.D., with honors, 1981). Author: "Distinctions in Florida and Federal Practice, Ch. 16, Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure (7th ed. 2008); "Litigation of the Road & Access Case," National Business Institute Seminar, 2007; "Compensation for Loss of Access in Florida," Lorman Eminent Domain Seminar, 2007; "Community Redevelopment Agency Taking: Public Takings for Private Gains?," CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar, 2004; "Preservation of Error on Appeal," CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar, 2001; Case Law Update, CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar, 2000; "Evidentiary Issues in Eminent Domain," CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar, 1999; "Planning for Condemnation," NACORE, 1999; "Constitutionality of Maintained Right of Way Statutes," Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee Newsletter, 1999; "Access Revisited," Association of Eminent Domain Professionals Annual Meeting, 1998; Faculty Member: CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar, 1999-2000. Speaker/Presenter: "Project Influence, Viewed from the Perspective of Florida's Constitution," CLE International 12th Annual Eminent Domain Super Conference, 2008; "Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Fisher," CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar, 2007; Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee Meeting 2006 Redevelopment Law Update, June 2006; "Redevelopment Takings After Kelo," Lorman Eminent Domain Seminar, 2006; Redevelopment Takings Overview and Update, Association of Eminent Domain Professionals Seminar, 2006; Redevelopment Law Update, Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee Meeting, June 2005. Member: International Association of Business and Professional Women, 1986-1998. Certified Mediator and Arbitrator: State of Florida Circuit Court (All Circuits). Arbitrator: Federal Court, Middle District of Florida. Florida Super Lawyers (2008-2009); Florida Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition (2009); Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (2008-2009). Member: The Florida Bar (Member, Eminent Domain Committee, 1983—); American Bar Association (Member: Condemnation, Land Use and Zoning Committee; Litigation Section, 1993—); Lee County and Charlotte County Bar Associations; Florida Association for Women Lawyers; Association of Eminent Domain Professionals; International Council of Shopping Centers; National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives. Reported Cases: Lee County v. Rue, 965 So.2d 1150 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007); Fulmore v. Charlotte County, 928 So.2d 1281 (Fla. 2d DCA 2006); Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services v. Bonanno, 568 So. 2d 24 (Fla. 1990); Florida Power Corp. v. Lynn, 594 So. 2d 789 (Fla. 2d DCA 1992); Sasnell v. Tampa Electric Co., 513 So. 2d 157 (Fla. 2d DCA 1987); State Department of Transportation v. Standard Oil Co., 510 So. 2d 324 (Fla. 2d DCA 1987); Roden v. Estech, Inc., 508 So. 2d 728 (Fla. 2d DCA 1987); Ridgewood Phosphate Corp. v. Perkins, 487 So. 2d 40 (Fla. 2d DCA 1986); Daniel v. American Cyanamid Co., 480 So. 2d 678 (Fla. 2d DCA 1985); Tampa Port Authority v. Tampa Barge Services, Inc., 463 So. 2d 557 (Fla. 2d DCA 1985); Riverfront Properties, Ltd. v. Max Factor III, 460 So. 2d 948 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984). Practice Areas: Eminent Domain; Condemnation; Inverse Condemnation; Real Estate; Property Rights; Land Use; Zoning Law; Property Tax.Email: Ellen J. Neil