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Albert E. Dotson, Jr.

Managing Partner
305-350-2411
Hablo Español
Area of Focus: Public-Private Partnerships & Government Contracts
"I was impressed with his compelling arguments that cut straight to the point." - Chambers USA source
  • OVERVIEW
  • EXPERIENCE
  • INSIGHTS
  • CREDENTIALS
GET TO KNOW Al

Al Dotson serves as Bilzin Sumberg's Managing Partner and in his role, he oversees the Firm's operations. By leveraging innovative technology and focusing on a multidisciplinary approach, Al leads the Firm's attorneys and professionals to provide a client experience that represents our pillars of trust, collaboration, preeminence, engagement, and community-mindedness.

In addition to his role as Managing Partner, Al is nationally recognized for his work on public-private partnerships (P3). His experience includes rail and transit facilities, airports, marinas, sports stadiums, convention centers, healthcare/life sciences facilities, educational institutions, water and sewer facilities, and parking structures.

Al is known throughout Florida for his work representing local, national, and international clients in responding to government contract solicitations and defending against, or prosecuting quasi-judicial and judicial bid protests.

In 2021, Al was selected to be a member of the newly formed CEO Ambassador program, which is part of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's RENEW305, an economic development plan intended to spark business investment and job growth across the county.
Q & A
What is an important issue to your practice area?
Public-private partnerships are often mentioned as a preferred procurement and delivery methodology. However, there still remains an underappreciation for the importance of political will to efficiently complete the procurement with minimal political interference.  Also, structuring and financing successful P3s turn on government's deliberate and thorough preplanning that results in clearly defined objectives.  Traditional procurement methodologies, restrictions, and concepts, for example, are not well-suited for complex P3 projects, as they often lack the flexibility, forethought, and certainty that justify the millions of dollars that the private sector must invest in pursuing the opportunity.  The more that the public and private sectors learn about how to implement these types of partnerships successfully, the more P3s can maximize its benefits.
Why is being a mentor important to you?
I believe that the success of today's leaders is not just measured by their past or current achievements but must be viewed through the prism of sustainable progress fueled by their commitment to mentor and coach the next generations of leaders.  Our community earns recurring dividends when we collectively invest in our human capital through mentorship. 

As a first-generation attorney, I would not be where I am today without a great number of mentors and coaches who gave me a better understanding of the legal profession and an appreciation for my responsibility to use my law degree to serve the community as well. By the time I became a partner at Bilzin Sumberg, I was able to draw from my many mentors and pay it forward through my involvement in organizations such as 100 Black Men of America and the Overtown Youth Center, as well as in Bilzin Sumberg's own mentorship program for young associates and lateral hires.
My PRACTICES
Government Contracting Land Use & Zoning Public-Private Partnerships Bid Protests Affordable Housing & Tax Credit Non-Profits Sports & Entertainment Transportation Manufacturing & Distribution Marinas Retail Infrastructure Higher Education
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
Miami-Dade County's $5 Billion Ocean Outfall Legislation Contract Award
Representation of CH2M, a global full-service consulting, design, construction, and operations firm, in securing the Owner's Representative contract for Miami-Dade County's $5 billion Ocean Outfall Legislation program, and in post-award contract compliance and regulatory compliance. The 11-year Ocea...
EXPERIENCE
$2.4 Billion High-Speed Passenger Rail Project
Representation of Brightline, an affiliate of Florida East Coast Industries, Inc., in the procurement, land acquisition, and development of portions of the $2.4 billion high-speed passenger rail project connecting South and Central Florida. Passenger service will be created in central Florida and wi...
EXPERIENCE
Miami Dade College Medical Campus Public-Private Partnership
Representation of Miami Dade College in its invitation to negotiate (ITN) for the public-private development of a 4.5 acre area in the Miami Healthcare District. The proposed medical campus expansion includes a 170,000 square foot state-of-the-art center for learning and innovation, a 1,450-space pa...
EXPERIENCE
$1 Billion P3 Redevelopment of Bridgeport Landing Development and Marina
Representation of real estate developer Bridgeport Landing in the $1 billion public-private partnership redevelopment of a mixed-use project, situated on the 52-acre Steel Pointe peninsula in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The redevelopment will include a 2.85 million square foot complex of approximately ...
EXPERIENCE
$500 Million Hard Rock Stadium Modernization Project
Representation of the owners of Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium in successful negotiations with Miami-Dade County to support a $500 million stadium modernization project, including a rooftop shade canopy, new seating for fans, and concourse renovations. The stadium is constructed on land owned ...
EXPERIENCE
Beach Connector Monorail P3
Representation of a consortium in connection with the preparation, submittal, and acceptance of an unsolicited proposal to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain a rapid mass transit system between the City of Miami and the City of Miami Beach. Subsequent to the acceptance of the unsolicited ...
INSIGHTS
CREDENTIALS
  • Vanderbilt University, J.D., 1987
    Dartmouth College, A.B., 1982
  • 100 Black Men of America

    Chairman Emeritus, 1994 - Present
    Board Member, 1994 - Present

    Florida Council of 100
    Council Member
    Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
    Member
    The Beacon Council
    Board Member
    Alliance for Ethical Government
    Chair Lobbying Reform Task Force, Executive Committee, 1998
    American Bar Association
    Dade County Bar Association
    Blue Ribbon Commission on Judicial Campaigns, 2002
    The Florida Bar
    1987 - Present
    Joint Civilian Orientation Conference
    Selected by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to participate, 1997 
    Judicial Nominating Commission of Florida
    Appointed by Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, 2009 - Present
    Leadership Florida

    Strategic Planning Committee Member, 2018
    Board Member, 2019- Present

    Miami Dade College Foundation
    Past Board Chairman
    Former Chair Investment Committee
    Miami Foundation
    50th Anniversary Host Committee Member, 2017
    The Mourning Family Foundation
    Board Member
    The Orange Bowl Committee
    Past President and Board Chairman
    Former Secretary/General Counsel
    Board Member, 1993 - Present
    Overtown Youth Center
    Past Chairman, 2000 - 2010
    Board of Directors, 2000 - 2010
    President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans
    Appointed by President Barack Obama, 2014 - 2018
    South Florida Sports Foundation, Inc.
    Board Member, 2016 - Present
    Super Bowl XLI Host Committee
    Co-Chair
    United Way of Miami-Dade
    Trustee, 2011 - present
    Advisory Council, 2012 - 2013
    Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association
    1987 - Present
  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    U.S. Supreme Court

  • Eminent Practitioner, Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2007 - present

    Daily Business Review, Attorney of the Year, 2017, Finalist, 2021

    South Florida Business Journal, Diversity & Inclusion Honoree, 2021

    The Best Lawyers in America, Land Use & Zoning Law - Government Relations Practice, 2011 - present

    Florida Super Lawyers, 2007, 2009 - present

    South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyers, 2001 - present

    Florida Trend's Florida 500 - Florida's Most Influential Business Leaders, 2018, 2019

    Florida Trend, Legal Elite, 2019

    Dade County Bar Association, Legal Luminaries - Lobbying & Government Relations, 2016

    Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Salute to Miami's Leaders Award - Legal/Law, 2015

    Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers - Government Relations winner, 2015; Public Interest finalist, 2015; Real Estate winner, 2009, 2016

    Daily Business Review, Top Dealmakers of the Year - Office finalist, 2014; Mixed-Use finalist, 2014

    Women Works Media Group, Law and Justice Award, 2017

    Legacy Miami Magazine, South Florida's Most Powerful Black Professionals in Business and Industry, 2014

    Miami Today, Best in Miami, Giving Back, 2014

    South Florida Business Journal, Heavy Hitters in Commercial Real Estate, 2013

    National Black MBA Association President & CEO Award for Community and Social Justice Leadership, 2013

    The Miami Herald, Legacy Award, 2013

    The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Spirit of Democracy Award, 2012

    The Education Fund, Public School Alumni Achievement Award, 2012

    The Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association & Legacy Miami Magazine, Legacy Legal Leader, 2012

    Miami Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Silver Medallion Award, 2011

    Ebony Magazine, Power 150: Most Influential Blacks in America, 2005 - 2009

    Miami Today, Hall of Fame for Greater Miami, Civic Organizations, 2007

    Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, National Business Leader of the Year, 2005

  • Spanish