Albert E. Dotson, Jr.
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.
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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Vanderbilt University, J.D., 1987Dartmouth College, A.B., 1982
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100 Black Men of America
Chairman Emeritus, 1994 - Present
Board Member, 1994 - PresentFlorida Council of 100Council MemberGreater Miami Chamber of CommerceMemberMiami Dade Beacon CouncilBoard of Directors, Executive Committee, 2021 - PresentThe Beacon CouncilBoard MemberAlliance for Ethical GovernmentChair Lobbying Reform Task Force, Executive Committee, 1998American Bar AssociationDade County Bar AssociationBlue Ribbon Commission on Judicial Campaigns, 2002The Florida Bar1987 - PresentJoint Civilian Orientation ConferenceSelected by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to participate, 1997Judicial Nominating Commission of FloridaAppointed by Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, 2009 - PresentLeadership FloridaStrategic Planning Committee Member, 2018
Board Member, 2019- PresentMiami Dade College FoundationPast Board Chairman
Former Chair Investment CommitteeMiami Foundation50th Anniversary Host Committee Member, 2017The Mourning Family FoundationBoard MemberThe Orange Bowl CommitteePast President and Board Chairman
Former Secretary/General Counsel
Board Member, 1993 - PresentOvertown Youth CenterPast Chairman, 2000 - 2010
Board of Directors, 2000 - 2010President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African AmericansAppointed by President Barack Obama, 2014 - 2018South Florida Sports Foundation, Inc.Board Member, 2016 - PresentSuper Bowl XLI Host CommitteeCo-ChairUnited Way of Miami-DadeTrustee, 2011 - present
Advisory Council, 2012 - 2013Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association1987 - Present -
Florida
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U.S. District Court, Southern District of FloridaU.S. Supreme Court
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Eminent Practitioner, Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2007 - present
Florida Trend's Florida 500 - Florida's Most Influential Business Leaders, 2018, 2019, 2021Daily Business Review, Attorney of the Year, 2017, Finalist, 2021
South Florida Business Journal, Diversity & Inclusion Honoree, 2021The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, 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, 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
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Spanish
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