Christopher M. Cobb

• The Florida Bar, 2001
• The Jacksonville Bar Association
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida

• Board Certified, Construction Law
• AV® Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
• Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year in Construction Law 2023
• 904 Magazine and Jacksonville Magazine “Top Attorneys in Jacksonville” 
• Jacksonville Magazine “Best Lawyers in Jacksonville”
• Best Lawyers in Real Estate Law and Construction Law for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
• Super Lawyers in Construction Law 2009-2022
• Florida Trend Florida Legal Elite 2020, 2021, 2022
• Jacksonville Business Journal “Ultimate Attorney” 2017
• Jacksonville Business Journal “40 under 40” 2010
• Phyllis Stansell Ethics and Professionalism Award
• Former Professional Baseball Player with The Montreal Expos International Baseball Organization

• Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D.
  • Law Review, Moot Court, Student Commencement Speaker
  • Honor Court Prosecutor, Dean’s List, Legal Writing Teaching Assistant
• University of North Florida
  • College of Arts and Sciences, B.A. – Literature

Mr. Cobb is a member of and has served or serves on various committees, boards of directors and holds officer positions in many professional and trade organizations, including but not limited to:

• Florida Bar Grievance Committee 4B, Fourth Judicial Circuit (Appointed 2021)
• Construction Industry Licensing Board Member (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation – Chairman 2017)
• The Florida Bar (Real Property, Probate and Trust/Construction Law Committee – Chairman of Construction Regulation Subcommittee, 2020 – present)
• Community Associations Institute
• American Bar Association (Forum on the Construction Industry)
• Jacksonville Bar Association (Construction Law Committee Chair 2012-2013 & 2020-2021)
• Associated Builders and Contractors – Board of Directors 
• Northeast Florida Builders Association
• Florida Coastal School of Law – Alumni Board Member (2010-2017)
• Chester Bedell Inns of Court (2005-2006)
• University of North Florida – Pre-law Board of Advisors (2004-2014)
• University of North Florida – Board of Advisors for College of Construction Management (2017 – Present)
• Palencia Homeowners Association (Fine Committee)
• Ducks Unlimited, Northeast Florida Chapter

Mr. Cobb has also served as a regular lecturer at The University of North Florida, Florida Coastal School of Law, the University of Florida Rinker School of Construction and The Florida Bar on topics relative to the practice of construction law. Mr. Cobb periodically serves as a guest speaker at various construction, real estate and business industry conferences or trade association meetings.

Construction Litigation

• Obtained settlement of $8,600,000 for condominium association in class action alleging construction defects, design defects, building code violations and violations of condominium statute. Four-year litigation dealt with intricate claims against contractors, architects, developer, successor developer, repair contractor and repair design professional.  The parties were involved in extensive motion practice, depositions of over 25 corporate executives, experts and board members and the exchange of 700,000 plus pages of documents.

• Represented large national general contractor in defending construction lien, payment bond and delay claim on assisted living facility in Miami, Florida from specialty structural subcontractor.  2 week arbitration proceeding addressed improper construction licensure issues, dispute on contract balance, delays and change orders in excess of $1,000,000.00.

• Represented multi-condominium association property in class action for construction defects, design defects and building code violations involving developer after faulty remedial work resulted in a damages valuation in excess of $7,500,000. Four year litigation had extensive motion practice, depositions of over 20 corporate executives and experts, and exchange of hundreds of thousands of documents.
• Obtained settlement of $8,750,000 for multi-building condominium association in breach of repair settlement agreement for construction defects and building code violations. Six-year litigation dealt with intricate claims against large national developer and contractor.  The parties were involved in extensive motion practice, depositions of over 20 corporate executives, experts and board members and the exchange of 500,000 plus pages of documents.
• Obtained settlement in excess of $5,700,000 for condominium association in class action for construction defects, design defects and building code violations in conversion of apartments to condominiums. Six year litigation was successfully settled on eve of three-week jury trial after extensive dispositive motion practice, depositions of over 20 corporate executives and experts, and exchange of hundreds of thousands of documents.
• Obtained settlement in excess of $6,250,000 for condominium association in class action for construction defects, design defects and building code violations. Four year litigation was successfully settled after extensive motion practice, depositions of over 30 corporate executives and experts, and exchange of hundreds of thousands of documents.
• Represented and defended stucco subcontractor in condominium class action for construction defects, design defects and building code violations in excess of $6,000,000 in damages.
• Represented and defended concrete subcontractor in condominium class action for construction defects, design defects and building code violations in excess of $7,000,000 in damages.
• Represented and defended structural steel erection subcontractor in condominium class action for construction defects, design defects and building code violations in excess of $6,100,000 in damages.
• Obtained $20,000 Final Judgment and construction lien foreclosure for civil engineer on 400 acre residential land development project (two-day bench trial).
• Obtained $70,000.00 final judgment after trial, re-hearing on damages and appeal for HVAC contractor and foreclosure of claim of lien for installation of custom residential heating and air conditioning unit (two-day bench trial).
• Conducted all presentation of evidence for heavy equipment company in procedural evidentiary hearing associated with construction lien on sovereign Indian tribe lands (two-hour evidentiary hearing).
• Obtained $68,000 final judgment for HVAC contractor at non-jury trial on breach of contract for mechanical work at various restaurant locations (half-day bench trial).
• Obtained $30,000 final judgment for building material supplier at non-jury trial on breach of contract and account stated for purchase of materials for custom home (half-day bench trial).
• Obtained final judgment at trial for building contractor involving painting subcontractor for defective and poor workmanship associated with painter work (two-hour bench trial).
• Obtained temporary injunction for construction lender preventing debtors from selling in excess of $750,000 worth of construction equipment used as collateral to secure promissory notes.
• Represented specialty waste water treatment contractor in $500,000 dispute over lining failures in waste water treatment tanks and associated products liability with material supplied for lining work.
• Obtained $500,000 final judgment for local land developer involving sub-contractor for defective work at upscale sub-division.
• Obtained favorable six-figure settlement for structural steel company on payment and construction defect dispute for large government hospital.
• Obtained favorable settlement for structural steel company on $1,000,000 construction lien for erection of structural steel in large shopping mall.
• Obtained favorable settlement for concrete company on payment and construction defect dispute for large condominium construction project.
• Obtained temporary injunction for construction lender preventing debtors from selling in excess of $450,000 worth of construction equipment used as collateral to secure promissory notes.
• Defended Air Conditioning contractor in lawsuit filed by homeowner for warranty violation and construction defects (two-hour bench trial).
• Obtained Final Judgment for building contractor involving painting subcontractor for poor workmanship (two-hour bench trial).
• Obtained defense final judgment in favor of fencing company client on dispute over survey and property line (two-hour bench trial).
• Served as second chair counsel in real estate action regarding option contract and required lease improvements to commercial hotel property (nine-day bench trial).
• Represented local general contractor in the foreclosure and ultimate settlement of $400,000 construction lien on development of six-story building.
• Represented contractors in all aspects of obtaining initial licensure, securing addition business entities and defending contractors and design professionals in administrative complaints for discipline on licenses.

Business Litigation

• Obtained Permanent Injunction and Final Judgment at trial for employer in violation of non-compete and confidentiality agreements including embezzlement of company records (five-day bench trial).
• Obtained Summary Judgment for publicly traded oil and gas company in breach of contract and fraud action involving shareholder in $10,000,000 investment dispute including claims for lost profits associated with licensing rights for various oil well leases.
• Obtained Summary Judgment for apartment complex owner/developer in $7,000,000 defamation and fraud claim which was defended on appeal.
• Represented minority shareholder of investment company arbitration in claims for breach of contract, accounting, fraud and specific performance surrounding client’s wrongful expulsion from company.
• Obtained $2,400,000 final judgment for national insurance company on breach of contract for collection of advanced commissions on insurance premiums.
• Served as local counsel for investment company and assisted in obtaining federal court defense verdict after one-week jury trial successfully defeating allegation that client, minority shareholder, promised to infuse $750,000 of capital into failing healthcare maintenance organization (five-day jury trial).
• Obtained temporary injunction and ultimate return of patient medical records of cardiology practice after a former employee improperly removed and copied the patient medical records and solicited patients to set up competing practice (two half-day evidentiary hearings).
• Represented construction equipment lender in replevin of heavy equipment and asserting claims for breach of $600,000 promissory note and security agreement.
• Represented national extrusion company in pursuing $1,100,000 obligation on promissory note, guaranty, and injunction to prevent fraudulent transfer of corporate assets to third party.
• Represented national insurance company on breach of contract for collection of advanced commissions on insurance premiums and associated claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
• Represented regional lending institution in $80,000 dispute over deposit agreement when depositor overdrew account.
• Assisted in obtaining six-figure judgment for national publication company over non-payment of invoices from newspaper retailer (two-day bench trial).
• Obtained $80,000 final judgment in favor of television production company for non-payment of sponsorship fees of nationally televised fishing show (one-day bench trial).
• Represented employer transportation company in obtaining final judgment of rejection of workers compensation benefits for unsupported submission of request for benefits (one-day bench trial).
• Obtained defense final judgment for used car dealer client in lawsuit for alleged property damage to automobile during storage of vehicle (two-hour bench trial).
• Obtained defense final judgment for used car finance company client in lawsuit for alleged property damage to automobile of individual during repossession of vehicle (three-hour bench trial).
• Successfully set aside Final Judgment for improper service which resulted in return of seized property to client valued at $25,000 (one-hour evidentiary hearing).
• Obtained multiple final judgments after trial for lending institution in foreclosure of residential property (multiple 30-minute trials).
• Obtained summary judgment for publicly traded real estate investment trust in defamation action involving former tenant for defamation per se of company and its board of directors.
• Obtained temporary injunction for the return of confidential information of regional custom homebuilder stolen by former employee.
• Obtained $100,000 final judgment for breach of contract and fraud in the inducement and accomplish successful seizure and public sale of custom limousine.
• Obtained final judgment involving third party in proceedings supplementary for fraudulent transfer of company assets in avoidance of final judgment.
• Obtained summary judgment for client for breach of commercial lease agreement by tenant which operated a used car dealership.
• Obtained six-figure final judgment for client for breach of personal guaranty associated with the purchase and sale of automobile repair business.
• Assisted in obtaining six-figure settlement involving national bank, regional accounting firm, and former employee for former employee’s embezzlement of $500,000 from client.

Condominium and Association Law

• Represented condominium association involving $1,000,000 defamation claim for comments surrounding property manager and association elections.
• Routinely facilitate community association board meetings and officer elections.
• Represented Association in dispute with owner regarding installation of electric car charging station resulting in favorable opinion from DBPR Arbitrator adjudicating claim in favor of Association.
• Filed Petition for Declaratory Statement with the Florida Division of Condominium regarding board action to enforce non-compliance with flooring restrictions in condominium property.
• File Declaratory Action lawsuit seeking to declare election void for improper signature verification and failure to correctly certify recall of board member.
• Analyzed and defeated three unit owner attempts to improperly recall existing board of directors
• Handled hundreds of community association and condominium assessment foreclosure matters, including lender foreclosure matters where association advanced cases through use of Show Cause orders.
• Drafted condominium opinion letters on interpretation of condominium declarations concerning ownership and maintenance of units v. common elements, parking issues, repair requirements, quorum issues and voting issues.
• Facilitated contested Homeowners Association turnover, including mediation on claim for injunctive and declaratory relief from homeowners attempting to prohibit HOA from conducting required tasks to effectuate turnover.
• Successfully defended condominium association in hotly contested unit owner dispute concerning budget amendment to fund construction defect repairs.
• Analyzed community association rental program for approval of tenants and drafted resolutions, applications, and other documents effectuating rental program.
• Negotiated and revised many community association renovation contracts for remedial work to correct widespread construction defects.
• Drafted and negotiated hundreds of estoppel requests for payment of back assessments and lender safe harbor amounts.
• Analyze title issues to confirm ownership of various condominium units.
• Draft amendments to condominium declarations and analyze community documents for voting and quorum requirements to implement amendments.
• Filed quiet title actions involving mortgage lenders seeking declaration that mortgage lenders have abandoned mortgage interests in property.
• Drafted hundreds of demand letters to unit owners for lien actions, termination of community access privileges, parking issues, declaration violations, nuisance issues and demands to unit owner tenants to pay delinquent assessments.
• Drafted program for condominium association to control dog waste issues.
• Drafted and reviewed association tenant rental programs and effectuated eviction of nonconforming tenants.
• Routinely serve as attorney fee expert for association counsel on reasonableness of attorney fees.

Construction and Business Contracts 

• Negotiated and revised design-build engineering subcontract for $100 million Florida Department of Transportation roadway improvement project in Duval County, Florida.
• Drafted construction contracts for underground utility contractor on replacement of failing waste water lift station on private property.
• Negotiated and drafted series of construction renovation contracts for repair program at condominium association seeking to remedy construction defects.
• Facilitated and revised multi-million dollar program and contracts for furniture company to become exclusive provider of furniture, fixtures and equipment to national retail and commercial property owners.
• Negotiated and revised renovation contracts for local fast food franchisee.
• Drafted and negotiated owner/operator agreements for local logistics company.
• Review and provided opinion letter on prescriptive easement agreement and associated litigation costs.
• Review and provided opinion letter on business park condominium associations rights and remedy for non-paying unit owners.
• Drafted Special Advance Agreement for national workplace insurance company organizing direct sale of client benefits resulting in millions of dollars in premiums to insurance company.
• Drafted disbursement agreement for a publicly traded real estate development and time-share and resort developer.
• Facilitated and drafted documents for client to acquire multiple franchises of national disaster restoration and cleaning franchisor.
• Drafted condominium management master agreement for regional community association manager.
• Drafted detailed custom home construction contract for general contractor.
• Drafted and revised multiple contracts for renovation and remodel of commercial, industrial and residential property.
• Drafted credit application and personal guaranty for various suppliers of construction materials and temporary staffing agency.
• Prepared severance agreement for local dentistry practice in termination of employee.

PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME

• CMC in Attorney At Law Magazine “Top 5 Things You Should Consider When Renovating Property” Attorney At Law Magazine (October 2019)
• “An Insider’s Perspective on Navigating The Florida DBPR Regulatory And Professional Boards” Real Property Probate and Trust Section of Florida Bar, ActionLine, Volume XXXX, No. 2, Winter Edition (2019)
• “An Insider’s Perspective on Navigating the Florida DBPR Regulatory and Professional Boards”, ACC Newsletter (September 2018).
• “Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund” CONSTRUCTive Talk, Vol II, Issue 4 (December 2016).
• “Legal Aspects of Condominium and Homeowner Associations in Florida” Lorman Seminar written materials (September 2014).
• “Top 5 Considerations When Selecting a Contractor” Palencia Press Newsletter (August 2013).
• “The Jacksonville Bar Association Construction Law Committee” Jacksonville’s Financial News & Daily Record (July 29, 2013) (Vol. 100, No. 183).
• “Florida Construction Law and Practice” 7^th Edition, The Florida Bar. Contributing Author for Chapter 17 on Jury Instructions. (Contract Defenses and Contract Damages).
• “Florida Construction Law and Practice” 6^th Edition, The Florida Bar. Contributing Author for Chapter 17 on Jury Instructions. (Contract Defenses and Contract Damages).
• “Venue Considerations in Construction Disputes” Florida Bar Journal (May 2010).
• “Top 5 Things You Should Know About Florida’s Construction Defect Statute” Jacksonville’s Financial News & Daily Record, (December 14, 2009) (Vol. 96, No. 248).
• “Top 5 Things You Should Know About Florida’s Construction Lien Law” Jacksonville’s Daily Record (December 8, 2008) (Vol. 95, No. 245).
• “A Survey On Contractual Waiver of Civil Jury Trials In Florida” 2 Fla. Coastal L. J. 239 (2001).

• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” Southeastern Builders Conference, July 2022
• “Construction Liens” Legacy Engineering In-house Seminar, April 2022
• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course, March 2022
• “Construction Liens and Licensing” Jacksonville Area Legal id, In-house Seminar, January 2022
• “Construction Law Update” Construction Financial Management Association Regional Conference, November 2021
• “Construction Contracts” Guest Lecture for Construction Contracts and Documents Class at University of North Florida, November 2021

• “2021 Condominium and Construction Law Legislative Update” First Service Residential quarterly CAM meeting, July 2021

• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” Southeastern Builders Conference, July 2021.

• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course, March 2021 (web-replay due to Covid-19)

• “What Every Contractor Needs to Know about Their License” Levelset Webinar, March 2021. 
• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” Southeastern Builders Conference, July 2020.
• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course, March 2020.
• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” Southeastern Builders Conference, July 2019.
• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course, March 2019.
• “Construction Liens in Florida,” In-house Seminar, Strickland Construction, Lakeland, Florida, April 2018.
• “Discovery on Cell Phones, Social Media, and Emails – What In-house Lawyers Need to Know to Preserve and Obtain Key Evidence,” Association of Corporate Counsel, September 2018.
• “Construction Contracts in Florida,” Southeastern Builders Conference, August 2018.
• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” Southeastern Builders Conference, August 2018.
• “Electrical Contractor Licensing in Florida,” National Electrical Contractors Association, July 2018.
• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course, March 2018.
• “Construction Licensing” Jacksonville Bar Association, Construction Law Committee Continuing Legal Education, Jacksonville, Florida, February 2018
• “Florida Construction Lien Law,” Presentation to Subcommittee of Careers and Competition for the Florida House of Representatives, Tallahassee, Florida, October 2017.
• “Specialty Licenses in Florida,” National Association of State Construction Licensing Agencies, Denver, Colorado, August 2017.
• “Condominium Board Member Certification Training” The Grand Reserve Condominium Association, Jacksonville, Florida, July 2017.
• “Construction Licensing in Florida,” Southeastern Builders Conference, Orlando, Florida, July 2017.
• “Condominium Board Member Certification Training,” Valencia at South Beach Condominium Association, Jacksonville, Florida, June 2017.
• “Construction Licensing Update,” Urban League Institute, June 2017
• “Contract Provisions and Dispute Resolution,” U.S. Department of Transportation Small Business Training, May 2017.
• “Construction Regulation and Licensing Update,” Associated Builders and Contractors, First Coast Chapter, April 2017.
• “Design Professional Liability,” The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course, March 2017.
• “Construction Regulation and Licensing Update,” Greater Orlando Builders Association, March 2017.
• “Condominium/HOA Board Certification,” Condominium Concepts, Jacksonville, February 2017.
• “Law School for the CFO – How to find great attorneys and manage them to get the results you wat at the price you want to pay,” Panel Discussion, CFO Council, Jacksonville, February 2017.
• “Jimerson & Cobb Construction Law Seminar – Licensing,” Construction continuing Education, Jacksonville, Florida, September 2016.
• “Construction Regulation and Licensing Update,” Associated Builders & Contractors, Statewide Planning Conference, September 2016.
• “Design Professional Liability,” Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course, March, 2016.
• “Jimerson & Cobb Construction Law Seminar – Licensing,” Construction Continuing Education, Jacksonville, Florida, October 2015.
• “Condominium Roundtable – Condo Budgets,” Private Function at Jacksonville Golf and Country Club, September 2015.
• “Condominium 2015 Legislative Update,” Lunch n’ Learn with May Management, World Golf Village, St. Augustine, July 2015.
• “Condominium Roundtable – A Conversation Concerning Condo Maintenance,” Private Function at Jacksonville Golf and Country Club, April 2015.
• “Working with Administrative Boards – A View from the Regulators,” Florida Bar Advanced Construction Law Institute, March 2015.
• “Design Professional Liability,” Florida Bar Advanced Construction Law Certification Review Course, March 2015.
• “Design Professional Liability,” Florida Bar Construction Law Committee continuing education monthly telephone seminar, February 2015.
• “Florida Construction Lien Law,” Associated Builders and Contractors Education Series, January 2015.
• “Legal Aspects of Condominium and Homeowners Associations in Florida,” Lorman Seminars, September 2014.
• “Design Professional Liability,” Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course, March, 2014.
• “Working with Administrative Boards,” Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Continuing Legal Education, September 2013.
• “Florida Collection Law – Tips and Strategies,” National Business Institute May 2013.
• “Asset Protection for Contractors,” Northeast Florida Builders Association July 2012.
• “Mediation, Arbitration & Jury Trials,” Northeast Florida Structural Engineers Association May 2012.
• “Florida Construction Liens,” Florida Coastal School of Law March 2012.
• “Obstacles to Getting Paid: Post-Judgment Collection and Garnishment Proceedings, Liens and the Impact of Bankruptcy,” American Conference Institute, Construction Litigation March 2012.
• “Construction Defects,” Northeast Florida Structural Engineers Association July 2011.
• “Construction Lien Law,” Northeast Florida Structural Engineers Association July 2010.
• “Construction Lien Law in Florida,” Lorman Seminars July 2010.
• “Florida Construction Law,” University of North Florida, Department of Construction Management April 2010 (BCN 4708 Construction Documents/Contracts).
• “Florida Lien Law,” Construction Financial Management Association November 2009.
• “Florida Construction Liens,” Florida Coastal School of Law November 2009.
• “Construction Litigation,” University of Florida, M.E. Rinker School of Construction October 2009 (BCN 3700 Construction Contracts).
• “Florida Construction Liens,” University of North Florida, Department of Construction Management June 2009 (BCN 4708 Construction Documents/Contracts).
• “Florida Construction Liens,” University of Florida, M.E. Rinker School of Construction December 2008 (BCN 3700 Construction Contracts).
• “What To Do When Construction Projects Go Bad,” Lorman Seminars, July 2008.
• “Florida Construction Liens,” Florida Coastal School of Law April 2008.