Pavese Law Firm attorneys recognized by the 2023 Florida Super Lawyers® Magazine

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 26, 2023) – Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce attorneys Christopher Shields, Steven Hartsell, Neale Montgomery, Charles Mann, Charles Capps, and Chené Thompson have been named to the esteemed 2023 Super Lawyers list of top attorneys in Florida. Mr. Shields, Mr. Mann, and Mr. Capps were named in the field of Real Estate; Mr. Hartsell and Ms. Montgomery were named in the field of Land Use/Zoning, and Chené Thompson has been named in the field of Civil Litigation. This honor is bestowed upon no more than five percent of lawyers statewide. In addition, Michael Lehnert and Alexander Menendez have been named to the Rising Stars list as top up-and-coming attorneys. Each year, only two-and-a-half percent of lawyers in Florida receive this prestigious acknowledgement.

Selections for the revered Super Lawyers list result from the extensive research efforts executed by the Thomson Reuters’ rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas, all of whom have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The multi-phased selection process is rigorous and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. The equally prestigious Rising Stars list recognizes the state’s top up-and-coming attorneys.

Christopher Shields is Florida Bar Board Certified in both Real Estate Law and in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Mr. Shields is one of only 28 attorneys in the entire state of Florida to hold this dual distinction. He joined Pavese Law Firm in 1984 and became a partner in the firm in 1990. He specializes in creating and representing residential, commercial and mixed-use condominium, cooperative and homeowners’ association communities.

Steven Hartsell is Florida Bar Board Certified in Condominium and Planned Development Law. He concentrates his practice in zoning, land use and development law as well as local government administrative law matters, representing clients in land use and administrative matters before city and county commissions, councils and boards throughout Southwest Florida. Mr. Hartsell joined Pavese Law Firm in 1986 and became a partner in 1990.

Neale Montgomery has left an indelible mark on southwest Florida through her zoning, land use and administrative law work. The landscape is dotted with numerous developments where Ms. Montgomery had the privilege of being the land use attorney on the entitlement team. She joined Pavese Law Firm in 1986 and became a partner in 1991. She has represented numerous prestigious home builders and developers throughout SW Florida for decades. Her practice continues to focus on zoning, land use as well as local government administrative law matters, representing clients in administrative matters related to all aspect of the entitlement process and development of land before city and county commissions, councils, and boards throughout Southwest Florida.

Charles Mann is Florida Bar Board Certified in both Real Estate Law and in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Mr. Mann is one of only 28 attorneys in the entire state of Florida to hold this dual distinction. He joined the firm in 2000, became a partner in 2005, managing partner in 2012 and co-managing partner in 2021. He represents local and national builders and developers in the acquisition and financing of raw land, negotiation of joint venture agreements, establishment of Ch. 190 Community Development Districts, and creation of property owner associations.

Charles Capps is Florida Bar Board Certified in Real Estate Law and in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Mr. Capps is one of only 28 attorneys in the entire state of Florida to hold this dual distinction. He joined Pavese Law Firm in 2008, became a partner in 2013, and co-managing partner in 2021. He represents and advises clients including top national homebuilders, corporations, developers, community associations, non-profit organizations, contractors, lending institutions, and individuals on wide range of issues.

Chené Thompson joined the Pavese Law Firm in 2013, became a partner in 2015, and co-managing partner in 2021. Ms. Thompson brings to the firm her many years of experience as a litigator. She has served as lead counsel to national home builders and local developers in successful defenses of land use, zoning, comprehensive plan challenges and construction defect litigation. She is highly recognized for her courtroom ability and in 2019, became a member of Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite.

Michael Lehnert joined the firm in 2021 and become a partner in 2022. Mr. Lehnert concentrates his practice area in real estate law, including assisting property owners, lenders, and developers with commercial and residential development, acquisition, financing, title, and leasing.

Alexander Menendez joined the firm in 2017 and become a partner in 2023.  His practice is primarily focused in the areas of Community Association Law and commercial and residential transactions. Mr. Menendez represents and advises homeowners, local businesses, developers, and national homebuilders on diverse real estate matters from residential closings to commercial leases and land acquisitions.

About Pavese Law Firm

Pavese Law Firm has grown into one of the largest legal practices in Southwest Florida with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and West Palm Beach. The firm provides a broad range of legal services for individuals, families, small businesses and large corporations. Practice areas include agricultural, banking and finance, business and corporate, civil litigation, condominium and homeowners’ association law, construction, environmental and water, estate planning, probate and trusts, marital and family, land use and government, and real estate law. Established in 1949 as a one-person general practice firm, Pavese Law Firm has played a significant role in the growth of local businesses, communities and major development projects. For more information, visit paveselaw.com.