Albert E. Dotson, Jr.

Partner
305-350-2411
Hablo Español
Area of Focus: Land Development & Government Relations
“Brings creativity and intellectual strength.” - Chambers USA
  • OVERVIEW
  • EXPERIENCE
  • INSIGHTS
  • CREDENTIALS
GET TO KNOW Al
Nationally recognized for his work on public-private partnerships (P3), Al is the Land Development & Government Relations Practice Group Leader and a member of Bilzin Sumberg's executive leadership. 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 recognized 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.
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, aforethought, 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.
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Albert's PRACTICES
Government Contracting Land Use & Zoning Public-Private Partnerships Bid Protests
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
Miami-Dade County's $4 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 $4 billion Ocean Outfall Legislation program. The 11-year Ocean Outfall project, mandated by the Florida legislature, will stop...
Construction Government Contracting Environmental
EXPERIENCE
$2.4 Billion High-Speed Passenger Rail Project
Representation of All Aboard Florida, 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 ...
Government Contracting Public-Private Partnerships Retail
EXPERIENCE
$300+ Million Public Housing Public-Private Partnership (P3) Project in Miami
Representation of Related Urban Development Group, a developer of affordable housing, in a $300+ million public housing P3 redevelopment project, "Liberty Square Rising," the first P3 public housing project in Miami-Dade County which establishes a new model for the design, construction, financing, o...
Public-Private Partnerships Residential Property Urban Development
EXPERIENCE
Acquisition of Leasehold Development Rights for Transit Oriented Development at ...
Representation of Grass River Property, a real estate finance, investment, and services company, in acquiring leasehold development rights for a transit oriented development (TOD) at the Coconut Grove Metrorail station in Miami. The planned development is a $200 million mixed-use project consisting ...
Construction Public-Private Partnerships Transportation
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...
Government Contracting Healthcare Permitting
EXPERIENCE
$300 Million Procurement of New Heavy Rail Cars
Lead counsel to AnsaldoBreda, Inc., an Italian global transportation company, in securing a $300 million contract award by Miami-Dade County for the procurement of 136 heavy rail (Metrorail) vehicles. This is the largest procurement by Miami-Dade County Transit outside of the construction contracts ...
Government Contracting International Public-Private Partnerships
INSIGHTS
CREDENTIALS
  • Vanderbilt University, J.D., Bennett Douglas Bell Memorial Prize for academic achievement and high ethical standards, 1987
    Dartmouth College, A.B., 1982
  • 100 Black Men of America
    Chairman Emeritus and Board Member, 1994 - Present
    Alliance for Ethical Government
    Chair Lobbying Reform Task Force, Executive Committee, 1998
    American Bar Association
    Collins Center for Public Policy
    Board of Trustees, 2011 - 2013
    Dade County Bar Association
    Blue Ribbon Commission on Judicial Campaigns, Board Member, 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
    Miami Dade College Foundation
    Past Board Chairman
    Former Chair Investment Committee
    Miami Dolphins Foundation

    Board Member, 2016 - Present

    Miami Foundation 50th Anniversary Host Committee
    Member, 2017
    The Mourning Family Foundation
    Board Member
    The Orange Bowl Committee
    Past President and 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 - Present
    Super Bowl XLI Host Committee
    Co-Chair
    Transportation & Expressway Authority Membership of Florida
    United Way of Miami-Dade
    Trustee, 2011 - 2013
    Advisory Council, 2012 - 2013
    Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association
    1987 - Present
  • Florida

  • Band 2, Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2007 - present

    Daily Business Review, Attorney of the Year, 2017

    The Best Lawyers in America, Miami Lawyer of the Year - Government Relations Practice, 2014

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

    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

    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

    South Florida Business Journal, Key Partners Award, 2011

    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

    Florida Super Lawyers, 2007, 2009 - present

    South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyers, 2001 - present

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

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

    AV® Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

  • Spanish
Related Topics
Public-Private Partnerships Government Contracting Construction Non Profits Sports and Entertainment Transportation Urban Development Transit Oriented Development Commercial Property Downtown Miami & Brickell Market Hospitality International Manufacturing and Distribution Marinas Mixed Use Property Offices Property Project Finance Residential Property Retail