Pete Waldman represents private property owners and businesses in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and real property valuation litigation, as well as  the development, implementation, and execution of capital improvement programs and projects.

Pete is a former Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of Transportation. In that role, he litigated multi-million dollar damage cases, served as lead counsel in a variety of jury trials, bench trials, and mediations, and collaborated with Department officials, committees, and staff on all aspects of property acquisition. Pete gained an overall perspective of the policies and procedures surrounding property acquisition and its related components of valuation, engineering, land planning, business damages, relocation and marketing.

Now, Pete represents private property owners and businesses in all aspects of eminent domain, pre-suit property acquisition and real property litigation. He handles property acquisition matters initiated by the state, federal, local and regional governments. Pete also represents governmental entities and utilities in eminent domain, property acquisition, project design and engineering matters, and has  assisted municipalities with the development of right of way programs.

Pete has a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning and uses his planning expertise in litigating land use and real property cases on behalf of both private sector and public sector clients.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Pete served four years in the United States Marine Corps.

Pete has been an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church of America since May of 2016.

Professional & Community Involvement

• The Florida Bar, Eminent Domain Committee, 2014-present
• Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 2014-present

Awards & Recognition

• Best Lawyers in America®, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2022 – present
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2017-present

Press Mentions

• December 1, 2022 On the Move, The Florida Bar News, December 1, 2022
• Weiss Serota Creates Six-Atty Mediation Group In Fla., Law360, November 7, 2022
• Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman Adds Mediation Services Practice Group, Attorney at Law Magazine, November 4, 2022
• Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman Adds Mediation Services Practice Group, Citybiz, November 3, 2022
• Attorney Guides Parcel Purchases, Easement Deals for Road Linkup, Daily Business Review, June 22, 2016

Presentations

• Analyzing Eminent Domain Cases, International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 – Florida Winter Symposium, February 24, 2023
• Virtual Luncheon: Easements Are Not Easy, International Right of Way Association Chapter 26, April 2021
• Easing into Easements, AEDP, September 2018
• The Golden Road To Advancing Transportation Infrastructure, LAP, August 2018
  

Publications

• Choosing the Correct Unit of Measurement in Valuing Property in Eminent Domain, International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, August 15, 2023
• Ask the Attorney, International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, July 7, 2023
• The Potential Impacts of Harmonization, International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, March 29, 2023
• Super Cure, International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, January 23, 2023
• Don’t Forget the Variables, International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, November 10, 2022
• Acquiring Right of Way From Commercial Properties – Access, Access, Access, International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, September 2022
• Infrastructure Bill, International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, February 2022
• Don’t Sit on Your Butt – The Answers are in the Field!, International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, September 2021
• Prepare Your Leases for Eminent Domain, Florida Real Estate Journal, April 2010
• The Perils of Eminent Domain, National Association of Convenience Stores, June 2010

Reported Cases

• State Dept. of Transportation v. Suit City of Aventura, 774 So. 2d 9 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001).
• Homestead Land Group, LLC v. City of Homestead, etc., and First Baptist Church of Perrine Inc., 165 So.3d 62 (Fla. 3d DCA 2015).

Florida, 1994

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2002

University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1994

University of Florida Graduate School, M.A., Urban and Regional Planning, 1990

University of Florida, B.A., 1987