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Matthew H.MandelPartner, Chair of Litigation Division
Matthew H.
Mandel

Partner

Chair of Litigation Division

Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 763-4242
mmandel@wsh-law.com

As Chair of the firm’s Litigation Division, Matt Mandel is a strategic thinker whose municipal and private clients entrust him with their most important matters.

In municipal litigation, Matt has successfully represented Florida cities in discrimination claims under the Fair Housing Amendments Act and Americans with Disabilities Act; federal and state civil rights claims for false arrest, excessive force and malicious prosecution; actions relating to the deprivation of procedural and substantive due process rights; claims under the Florida Whistleblower Act and the Florida Civil Rights Act; First Amendment challenges to municipal sign codes and adult use regulations; construction disputes relating to municipal structures; municipal annexation disputes; the prosecution and defense of municipal finance issues; and the defense of personal injury claims.

In the private sector, Matt’s successes include representing a worldwide computer software company in matters relating to contractual disputes, and representing land owners in a constitutional challenge to an illegal county funding mechanism. He has also represented financial institutions in large commercial foreclosure matters, businesses and individuals in commercial and contractual disagreements, and purchasers in the cancellation of condominium contracts.

Matt also has extensive appellate experience in state and federal courts and has numerous published decisions to his credit relating to municipal zoning, police liability, First Amendment and Whistleblower claims.

Matt lectures frequently on issues including First Amendment challenges to municipal sign codes and land use challenges under the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Broward County League of Cities – Leadership Development Committee, Chair, 2010-2016; Committee Member, 2008-2016
  • Federal Bar Association – Broward Chapter, President, 2013-2014; President-elect 2012-2013; Vice President, 2011-2012; Secretary, 2009-2011; Board Member, 2008-present

Awards & Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2022 – present
  • Fort Lauderdale Illustrated, “Top Lawyer,” 2020
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2015-present
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2009-2013
  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, 2017
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
  • Daily Business Review, Finalist – Most Effective Lawyers, 2014
  • South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyer, 2012-2016
  • South Florida Legal Guide, Top Up and Comer, 2008-2010

Practice Areas

Admissions

Florida, 1998


U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2002


U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 2011


U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 1999


U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2010

Education

University of Miami, J.D., magna cum laude, 1998


University of Miami, B.A., general honors, 1994

Press Mentions
Reported Cases
  • McDonough v. City of Homestead, 771 Fed. Appx. 952 (11th Cir. 2019)
  • Doe v. City of Miami Gardens, 389 F. Supp. 3d 1118 (S.D. Fla. 2019)
  • Florida Gun Shows, Inc. v. City of Fort Lauderdale, 2019 WL 2026496 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 19, 2019)
  • Mullen v. Bal Harbour Village, 241 So. 3d 949 (Fla. 3d DCA 2018)
  • Clarke v. Phalen, 2018 WL 987260 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 20, 2018)
  • 2051 Lush Apartments, LLC v. City of Lauderhill, 711 Fed. Appx. 522 (11th Cir. 2017)
  • City of Cooper City v. Joliff, 227 So. 3d 633 (Fla. 4th DCA 2017)
  • Edwards, CDS, LLC v. City of Delray Beach, 699 Fed. Appx. 885 (11th Cir. 2017)
  • 2051 Lush Apartments, LLC v. City of Lauderhill, 2016 WL 10651918 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 20, 2016)
  • Spadaro v. City of Miramar, 591 Fed. Appx. 906 (11th Cir. 2015)
  • Cutino v. Untch, 79 F. Supp. 3d 1305 (S.D. Fla. 2015)
  • Taxi USA of Palm Beach, LLC v. City of Boca Raton, 162 So. 3d 119 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014)
  • Stone v. City of Lauderhill, 2014 WL 835583 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 4, 2014)
  • Catogas v. Vetter, 2013 WL 1334569 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 29, 2013)
  • Isle of Dreams, LLC v. City of North Bay Village, 513 Fed. Appx. 917 (11th Cir. 2013)
  • Thor Guard, Inc. v. City of Boca Raton, 100 So. 3d 1285 (Fla 4th DCA 2012)
  • Milanese v. City of Boca Raton, 84 So. 3d 339 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012)
  • Beizer v. City of Boca Raton, 73 So. 3d 777 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011)
  • Polanco v. City of Marco Island, 2011 WL 2848655 (M.D. Fla. Jul. 19, 2011)
  • Polanco v. City of Marco Island, 2011 WL 2911002 (M.D. Fla. Jul. 19, 2011)
  • Apothecary Development Corp. v. City of Marco Island, Fla., 2011 WL 1071448 (M.D. Fla. Mar. 18, 2011)
  • Duvall v. Property and Cas. Ins. Co. of Hartford, 56 So. 3d 14 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011)
  • WTVJ-NBC 6 v. Shehadeh, 56 So. 3d 104 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2011)
  • Set Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Hallandale Beach, 2010 WL 11549687 (S.D. Fla. Jun. 22, 2010)
  • Fernander v. Bonis, 947 So. 2d 584 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007)
  • MediaNet of South Florida, Inc. v. City of Miramar, 144 Fed. Appx. 856 (11th Cir. 2005)
  • Woods v. Paradis, 380 F. Supp. 2d 1316 (S.D. Fla. 2005)
  • Seay Outdoor Advertising v. City of Mary Esther, 397 F. 3d 943 (11th Cir. 2005)
  • Guess v. City of Miramar, 889 So. 2d 840 (Fla. 4th DCA 2004)
  • Florida Outdoor Adver., LLC. v. City of Boca Raton, 266 F. Supp. 2d 1376 (S.D. Fla. 2003)
  • GLA and Associates, Inc. v. City of Boca Raton, 855 So. 2d 278 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003)

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