Albert E. Dotson, Jr.

Partner

305-350-2411

adotson@bilzin.com

Hablo Español

Area of Focus: Land Development & Government Relations

“Brings creativity and intellectual strength.” - Chambers USA

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

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 all wastewater discharge into the ocean by 2025. CH2M will manage the program, including the design, procurement, construction, and commissioning of over 25 capital projects. We provided strategy development and implementation, government contracting legal counsel, and advocacy before the County’s agencies, committees, and elected leadership. Our team was recognized as the 2015 finalist in the Daily Business Review "Most Effective Lawyers" Public Interest category for its contribution to the successful negotiation of this contract.

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 Florida and will continue on Florida's east coast, with new stations planned in Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. We are also assisting the client with its Miami “Grand Central Station”-like transportation and retail district, to include retail, office, residential, parking, and transit related components.

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, operation, and maintenance of large-scale public housing developments and related social services. The Bilzin Sumberg team successfully navigated through a contested and complex procurement process, ultimately securing P3 development rights for the 50-acre project located in the City of Miami. After award, the Bilzin Sumberg team successfully negotiated a complex P3 development agreement, which includes several novel provisions and is the first of its kind, with the Miami-Dade County Attorney's Office.

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 of 180,000 square feet of office, 40,000 square feet of retail, a 180-key hotel, 250 residential units and a 850-space parking garage.

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 parking facility, and a private mixed-use development. We are handling the management of the procurement process to select the college's private partner, governmental permitting and environmental issues, and project financing, as well as negotiating all real estate, joint venture, and related agreements with the selected developer.

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 for the rail lines themselves. Successfully defended a bid protest and an appeal to the Federal Transit Administration.

Government Contracting International Public-Private Partnerships

INSIGHTS

CREDENTIALS

Education

Vanderbilt University, J.D., Bennett Douglas Bell Memorial Prize for academic achievement and high ethical standards, 1987

Dartmouth College, A.B., 1982
Involvement

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

The 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
Bar Admissions

Florida
Awards/Honors

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

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
Languages

Spanish