Stephen K. Tilbrook

Land Use & Government Experience

With legal experience enhanced by his government service, Mr. Tilbrook uses an insider's perspective to counsel clients on complex legal and regulatory matters. For issues ranging from administrative appeals to zoning, he acts as a liaison with government agencies and helps gain approvals in development, zoning and other areas. He also practices government law and lobbying at the state and local levels.

He has handled various redevelopment projects in Broward County and works on large project issues including rezoning and variance applications, Comprehensive Plan amendments and Developments of Regional Impact.  He also handles property rights disputes involving the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act and the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act.

As a former Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Fort Lauderdale, Mr. Tilbrook understands how to use economic incentives to attract new business as well. He offers his experience to municipalities, counties and state agencies and also works with businesses seeking incentives for relocation and expansion.

Environmental Experience

Clients also rely on Mr. Tilbrook for guidance on environmental issues. A former Assistant General Counsel with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, he is well versed in the regulations that protect the state's environment and natural resources.  His knowledge helps clients in areas such as permitting, compliance, assessment and remediation.  In a recent example, he helped achieve the first completed Brownfields site in Broward County and works on other such sites for marina, resort and golf course redevelopment.

In a related area, Mr. Tilbrook is experienced in handling lender liability issues and is the author of the article "Lender Liability for Environmental Problems: What Are the New EPA Rules and What is the Impact on the Rest of Us?" published in the Stetson Law Journal.  He is also a regular guest lecturer on environmental law and land use and is an adjunct professor of environmental law in the Environmental MBA Program at Florida Atlantic University.

Professional Affiliations

Mr. Tilbrook is active in several community and civic organizations.  He serves on the Board of Directors for Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale Trust and the Fort Lauderdale Marine Advisory Board.  He is also a board member of the Children's Diagnostic Treatment Center, Inc. and previously served on the Fort Lauderdale Historic Preservation Board.

Representative Projects

• Mr. Tilbrook successfully represented a $300 Million destination resort hotel and condo-hotel redevelopment project on Fort Lauderdale beach.  He handled all phases of zoning, land use and development permitting, on issues ranging from Developments of Regional Impact and condo hotel zoning requirements to coastal construction permitting and environmental impact assessments.
• He successfully achieved the first completed environmental cleanup and site rehabilitation for a Brownfield redevelopment site in Broward County.  He represented the client in all areas ranging from environmental code enforcement and consent agreements to negotiation of restrictive covenants and transactional documents for redevelopment.