Ty is a board certified construction specialist with over twenty years of experience in matters primarily devoted to complex commercial litigation and transactional matters.  He has been recognized as a "Best Lawyer in America," "Florida Super Lawyer,"  “Florida Trend Legal Elite," and is rated AV-Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell's highest rating for ethics and the ability to practice law. 

Ty graduated with a degree in building construction from the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management.  Before enrolling in law school, Ty worked for a national construction company, where he served as a project coordinator and participated in the overall management of multi-million dollar construction projects throughout the country. As a result, he has considerable technical knowledge that is helpful in his construction litigation practice.

Ty is a current member of the Florida Supreme Court Business and Contracts Jury Instruction Committee.

In his spare time, Ty enjoys watching Gator athletics and spending time with his wife, Tara, and his boys, Gray and Camp, and daughter, Ryan.

Professional, Trade, and Philanthropic Affiliations

• American Bar Association
  
  • Tort and Insurance Practice Section
    
    • Task Force on Outreach to Young Lawyers
    • TIPS Now! Fellow Task Force on Outreach to Young Lawyers (2014)
  • Fidelity and Surety Law Committee
    
    • Vice-Chair
    • Co-Chair, Young Professionals Subcommittee (2011-2013)
    • Co-Chair, Young Professionals Technology Subcommittee (2010)

• Construction Lawyers Society of America
  • Member, Trial Law Institute

• Tampa Yacht and County Club (2020-2024)
  • Board Member

• The Florida Bar
  
  • Real Estate, Property, Trust and Litigation Section
  • Construction Law Committee
    
    • Chair of the Surety & Insurance Subcommittee (2011-2014)

• Trial Lawyers Section

• The Hillsborough County Bar Association
  
  • Trial Lawyers Section
  • Construction Law Section

• Gulfcoast Fidelity and Surety Institute
  • Program Chair (multiple years)
  • Conference Chair (multiple years)

• Florida Surety Claims Association

• Stetson Lawyers Association

• University of Florida Alumni Association

Selected Honors & Recognitions

• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business - Construction
• Best Lawyers in America: Construction Law (2018-2025)
• American Lawyer Media and Martindale Hubbell 2015 Top Rated Litigator
• Florida Trend’s “Florida Legal Elite – Up & Comer” (2007, 2013)
• Florida Trend's "Florida Legal Elite" (2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022)
• Law & Politics – SuperLawyers “Rising Star” (2010-2012)
• Law & Politics – SuperLawyers (2013-2025)
• Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rated
• Fellow of Construction Lawyers Society of America
• AVVO Superb Rated

Selected Publications

• Author, "Bonded by Law: Navigating the Legislative Maze for Sureties in Federal Construction," Fidelity and Surety Law Committee’s Mid-Winter Meeting, January, 2025 (Austin, TX).
• Co-Author, "Pitfalls in Dealing with the Performance Bond Surety Upon Default of the Contractor," The Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Construction Law Institute Conference, March, 2023 (Orlando, FL).
• Author, "Navigating Subcontractor and Supplier Issues in the Completion Context," Fidelity and Surety Law Committee's Spring Meeting, May, 2019 (Austin, TX).
• Author, "Dispute Resolution Options in Takeover Agreement and Completion Contract," Fidelity and Surety Law Committee's Spring Meeting, May, 2015 (Palm Springs, CA).
• Co-Author, "Insurer & Surety Insolvency and its Effect on Claims," The Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Construction Law Institute Conference, March, 2015 (Orlando, FL).
• Co-Author, “Ethical and Other Considerations When Settling or Pursuing Your Principal’s Claims,” Fidelity and Surety Law Committee’s Spring Meeting, May, 2014 (Louisville, KY).
• Author, Chapter 11, “Florida,” in The Surety Underwriter’s Desk Book, 2013 and 2014 Eds.
• “Should I Take The Bait?  The Risks and Ethical Concerns of Entering Into Joint Defense Agreements with Your Principal,” Gulfcoast Fidelity and Surety Institute, May, 2013.
• “Serving Two Masters: The Ethics of Joint Representation of Bond Sureties and Principals," Gulfcoast Fidelity and Surety Institute, June, 2012.
• “The Rising Clamor of Successor Obligees: Contenders or Pretenders?” Gulfcoast Fidelity and Surety Institute, June, 2011.
• "Including Amounts Not Due Under Contract In Claim Of Lien May Render Lien Fraudulent And Unenforceable," Insights, Winter, 2005.
• “Material Distinction Between Warranty Obligation and Indemnity Obligation?” in Insights, Summer, 2003.

Selected Speaking Engagements

• Panel Chair, "Bonded by Law: Navigating the Legislative Maze for Sureties in Federal Construction," Fidelity and Surety Law Committee’s Mid-Winter Meeting, January, 2025 (Austin, TX).
• Diverting from the Norm; Louisiana’s Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project, The Use of the Construction Manager At Risk Delivery Method and  Potential Risks to the Surety," Fidelity and Surety Law Committee’s Mid-Winter Meeting, January, 2024 (New Orleans, LA).
• "Pitfalls in Dealing with the Performance Bond Surety Upon Default of the Contractor," The Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Construction Law Institute Conference, March, 2023 (Orlando, FL). 
• "The Not So Obvious Risk Shifting Provisions in Construction Contracts and their Impacts on the Performance Bond Surety," Fidelity and Surety Law Committee’s Mid-Winter Meeting, January, 2023 (Washington, DC).
• Navigating Subcontractor and Supplier Issues in the Completion Context," Fidelity and Surety Law Committee's Spring Meeting, May, 2019 (Austin, TX).
• "Is it Safe to Swim Asks the Pass Crab: Florida's Chapter 558 Notice and Opportunity to Cure Act and Its Impact on the Surety," Gulfcoast Fidelity and Surety Institute, June, 2018 (Boca Grande, FL).
• "The Surety's Indemnity Agreement: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," Hillsborough County Bar Association, Construction Law Committee, April, 2018 (Tampa, FL).
• "Notice and Claim Requirements under the American Institute olf Architects' A-201 General Conditions,” Gulfcoast Fidelity and Surety Institute, June, 2016 (Boca Grande, FL).
• "Dispute Resolution Options in the Takeover Agreement and Completion Contract," Fidelity and Surety Law Committee’s Spring Meeting, May, 2016 (Palm Springs, CA).
• “Ethical and Other Considerations When Settling Your Principal’s Claims,” Florida Bar Insurance and Surety Committee, December, 2015 (webinar).
• "Insurer & Surety Insolvency and its Effect on Claims," The Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Construction Law Institute Conference, March, 2015 (Orlando, FL).
• “Ethical and Other Considerations When Settling or Pursuing Your Principal’s Claims,” Fidelity and Surety Law Committee’s Spring Meeting, May, 2014 (Louisville, KY).
• “The Ethics of Serving Sureties and Their Principals & The Risks & Ethical Concerns of Entering Into Joint Defense Agreements,”Zurich’s CE-CLE Extravaganza, July, 2013 (webinar).
• “Should I Take The Bait?  The Risks and Ethical Concerns of Entering Into Joint Defense Agreements with Your Principal,” Gulfcoast Fidelity and Surety Institute, May, 2013 (Boca Grande, FL).
• "Serving Two Masters: The Ethics of Joint Representation of Bond Sureties and Principals," Gulfcoast Fidelity and Surety Institute, June, 2012 (Boca Grande, FL).
• "Serving Two Masters: The Ethics of Joint Representation of Bond Sureties and Principals," Florida Bar Insurance and Surety Committee, June, 2012 (webinar).
• "A Surety’s Liability to Non-Obligees: Case Law Update," Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, April, 2012 (Philadelphia, PA).
• "The Rising Clamor of Successor Obligees: Contenders or Pretenders?" Hillsborough County Bar Association, Construction Law Committee, April, 2012 (Tampa, FL).
• "Serving Two Masters: The Ethics of Joint Representation of Bond Sureties and Principals," The Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Construction Law Institute Conference, March, 2012 (Orlando, FL).
• “The Rising Clamor of Successor Obligees: Contenders or Pretenders?” Gulfcoast Fidelity and Surety Institute, June, 2011 (Boca Grande, FL).
• “Fundamentals for a Lifelong Partnership: The Lifecycle Approach to Infrastructure Delivery,” Fidelity and Surety Law Committee’s Mid-Winter Meeting, January, 2009 (New York, NY).
• "Construction Delay Claims: A Surety and its Principal's Perspective," Lorman Education Centers, April, 2006 (Tampa, FL).
• Claims and Defenses Involving the Surety," Hillsborough County Bar Association, Construction Law Committee, October, 2004 (Tampa, FL).
• "Critical Contract Clauses in Public Construction Contracts," Construction Management Association of America, June 2004.

Representative Experience

In his construction and surety practice, Ty has represented owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and sureties.  Ty’s representation has involved garden-variety construction claims as well as complex contract and commercial surety claims. These claims have dealt with disputes on public and private projects of varying types including apartment and condominium and townhome complexes, assisted living facilities, office buildings, reservoirs, public roadwork and schools.  In connection with payment disputes, Ty has resolved numerous payment and performance bond claims. He has also handled claims against indemnitors to recover losses suffered by sureties.