Eileen Ball Mehta
Of Counsel
305-350-2380
emehta@bilzin.com
Area of Focus:
Land Development & Government Relations
"A veteran with years of experience [who is] very savvy [and] has the ability and knowledge base to navigate through the governmental world."
- Chambers USA source
- Chambers USA source
Eileen Ball Mehta
Of Counsel
305-350-2380
GET TO KNOW
EILEEN
Eileen counsels clients who do business with or are affected by local governments. A former Assistant County Attorney for Miami-Dade County, Eileen has decades of experience in areas such as zoning, comprehensive planning, elections contests, bid protests, civil rights suits, and constitutional challenges. She represents both private and public sector clients and served as special counsel to the Clerk of the Court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for more than 20 years.
A seasoned appellate lawyer, she has handled hundreds of cases in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels and quasi-judicial matters before local, regional, and state administrative tribunals.
A seasoned appellate lawyer, she has handled hundreds of cases in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels and quasi-judicial matters before local, regional, and state administrative tribunals.
Q & A
What gives you a unique understanding of your client's objectives?
In addition to my law practice, I have also owned a homebuilding business that developed several residential subdivisions. Many of my clients develop real estate, and I have first-hand knowledge of the challenges that confront them on a daily basis. I look for pragmatic, expeditious solutions to the hurdles that they face, particularly those that arise from their dealings with governmental entities.
How does your experience as a local government attorney help your clients?
Governmental actions affect clients in a myriad of ways, and both private and public sector clients turn to me for assistance in drafting legislation, representation in administrative hearings and handling litigation. For example, I had a client who was planning to construct a transit-oriented development. Because of my experience in local government I was able to draft an amendment to the County’s Rapid Transit Zone ordinance and to work with staff and elected officials to secure its adoption. The amended ordinance brought my client’s property into the Rapid Transit Zone, streamlined the permitting process, and saved my client substantial time and money.
What are some of the advantages of working with Bilzin Sumberg's land use team?
Many of our partners had earlier careers in local government and helped draft important land use legislation. As a team, we have been at the forefront of Florida land use law for decades. Our collective experience as effective, competent lawyers practicing in jurisdictions throughout Florida serves as a value-add for our clients.
EXPERIENCE
Representation of Brightline, the only privately-owned and operated high-speed rail service in Florida, since 2014. Guided the high-speed rail company through the multibillion dollar development and launch of its first five stations (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Aventura, and Boca Raton)...
Representation of Palmer Trinity Private School, Inc. in connection with the school's $55 million expansion of its current campus onto an adjacent, 32-acre parcel of land that it acquired specifically for that purpose in 2003. Bilzin Sumberg's representation included providing land use and zoning co...
Representation of the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts in a class action alleging violations of the federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act. The plaintiff claimed that after paying a parking ticket, she received a receipt that contained more un-redacted credit card numbers than is allowed ...
Representation of homebuilder in redevelopment of the former Calusa golf course in Kendall, a suburban area of Miami. The firmsuccessfully secured the release of a restrictive covenant imposed by the County several decades ago which limited the 168-acre property to golf course use for a period of 99...
Representation of the Board of Trustees of Florida International University in a third-party challenge to a referendum amending the local County Charter. Summary judgment in favor of the University was upheld by the Third District Court of Appeal, which is a preliminary step toward a multi-million d...
Represented Harvey Ruvin, the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court in a lawsuit challenging Florida's constitutional and legislative ban on same-sex marriages. The Clerk was sued in his official capacity as the state officer authorized to issue marriage licenses. The lawsuit was filed in the wake of...
INSIGHTS
With two full weeks of the Academy behind us, I’ve been able to reflect on something that is truly inspiring. Bilzin Sumberg is not only investing in our development to become better lawyers, they are empowering us to become better people. Community is a major pillar of Bilzin Sumberg’s culture. Thi...
In the weeks ahead, our New Miami Blog will present a series that asks how Miami can become the nation’s premier center for education, innovation and entrepreneurshipin global trade. We will invite PortMiami leadership as well as community leaders in logistics, trade organizations, shipping, real es...
Known as the Cargo Gateway to the Americas and currently home to 13 cruise lines, Port Miami is a vital economic anchor of Miami -Dade County. The Port employs more than 200,000 in the South Florida region and contributes $27 billion annually to the local economy. While more than 4 million cruise pa...
Eileen Ball Mehta speaks at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce event on corporate social responsibility and engagingemployees.
Knight Frank Releases 2014 Wealth Report and Global Cities SurveyMiami and New York are the only North American cities to make the top ten list in a recent survey of the most important global cities to the world’s wealthy.The Wealth Report, issued annually by London-based real estate consultan...
The reconnection of the freight-rail service to PortMiami is in effect. In recent months, the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) has begun train service carrying cargo containers directly onto PortMiami’s docks. Soon, one to two trains are expected to serve the Port per day. As highlighted by ...
CREDENTIALS
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University of Miami, J.D., cum laude, 1977Florida International University, B.A., with high distinction, 1974
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Builders Association of South FloridaAssists on the Legislative CommitteeUnited Way MiamiWomen's Leadership Breakfast Vice-Chair
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Florida
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U.S. Supreme CourtU.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh CircuitU.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
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Band 3, Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2013 - present
The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year - Litigation- Land Use and Zoning Law, 2020
The Best Lawyers in America, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, 1995 - present
The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year - Land Use and Zoning Law, 2016
Benchmark Appellate, Eleventh Circuit Litigation Star, 2013
Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers - Finalist, Real Estate, 2014
Daily Business Review, Top Dealmakers of the Year - Industrial Winner, 2014
Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers, Real Estate, 2012
Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers - Public Interest, Finalist, 2011
Florida Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2009, 2015 - 2020
Recipient of the Judy Florence Memorial Outstanding Service Award presented by the Environmental and Land Use Section of The Florida Bar, 2000
Martindale-Hubbell™, AV Preeminent® Rating
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PRACTICES