Construction Law

Meaningful Insight

Prevention is always preferable to cure.  We always look out for what’s ahead to ensure clients stay ahead of the curve. Our newsletters, seminars, and videos focus on the law so that you can focus on your business.

Florida’s Minimum Wage Is Rising to $14/hr on September 30, 2025: What Employers Need to Know

By Frank Sardinha, III | Sep 2, 2025

As of September 30, 2025, Florida’s minimum wage will increase from $13.00 to $14.00 per hour for non-tipped employees, and from $9.98 to $10.98 per hour for tipped employees (i.e., those for whom employers can claim up to a $3.02 tip credit). This raise is part of a voter-approved initiative—Amendment 2, passed in November 2020—that mandates Florida’s Minimum Wage Is Rising to $14/hr on September 30, 2025: What Employers Need to Know

HB 683 Passes: What Florida Builders, Developers and Local Governments Need to Know

By Josh Loren | Jun 19, 2025

On June 16, 2025, Governor DeSantis signed HB 683, known as the “Construction Regulations” bill, into law. The clear aim of HB 683 is to trim regulatory drag affecting Florida’s construction sector.  With nearly 467,000 new residents last year alone, Florida is struggling to keep up with housing, commercial development, and infrastructure demands. Effective July 1, 2025, HB 683 Passes: What Florida Builders, Developers and Local Governments Need to Know

Eight Practical Tips for Drafting a Clear and Balanced Subcontractor Agreement

By Josh Loren | Apr 24, 2025

Regardless of whether you are an owner/general contractor or a subcontractor, a well-drafted subcontract is crucial for ensuring smooth project execution and minimizing disputes. Such agreements define the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of both contractors and subcontractors. Here are eight practical tips to help you create a fair and clear subcontractor agreement. Clearly Define the Eight Practical Tips for Drafting a Clear and Balanced Subcontractor Agreement

LOREN & KEAN LAW ADDS TWO BIG CONSTRUCTION WINS

By Bruce E. Loren | Apr 11, 2025

The lawyers at Loren & Kean recently prevailed in two construction disputes in arbitration and court. Frank Sardinha and Bruce Loren represented a local roofing contractor at trial in Palm Beach County seeking to collect on the balance of the contract price owed by the owner. The dispute was almost five years old, but  Frank LOREN & KEAN LAW ADDS TWO BIG CONSTRUCTION WINS

Preparing for ICE Raids and Audits

By Bruce E. Loren | Apr 10, 2025

With a crackdown on illegal immigration, ICE has emphasized enforcing I-9 compliance through audits and raids. The construction industry appears to have been specifically targeted. ICE Audit vs. Raid An ICE audit is when an employer is required to produce I-9s with supporting documents in a very short time frame, usually three days. The Notice of Inspection Preparing for ICE Raids and Audits

FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT REINSTATES REQUIREMENT FOR COMPANIES TO FILE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION (BOI) WITH FINCEN AS REQUIRED BY THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT (CTA)

By Frank Sardinha, III | Jan 7, 2025

As a follow-up to our previous week’s post, on December 23, 2024, a federal Court of Appeals reinstated the reporting requirement for companies to file BOI reports with FinCEN. The reporting deadlines are as follows: Companies that were created or registered prior to January 1, 2024 have until January 13, 2025 to submit their initial FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT REINSTATES REQUIREMENT FOR COMPANIES TO FILE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION (BOI) WITH FINCEN AS REQUIRED BY THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT (CTA)

FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS REQUIREMENT FOR COMPANIES TO FILE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION (BOI) WITH FINCEN AS REQUIRED BY THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT (CTA)

By Frank Sardinha, III | Dec 20, 2024

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, a federal court in Texas issued an order that: (1) enjoins the CTA, including enforcement of that statute and regulations implementing its beneficial ownership information reporting requirements, and, specifically; and (2) stays all deadlines to comply with the CTA’s reporting requirements. Prior to the order, the CTA required companies to file a FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS REQUIREMENT FOR COMPANIES TO FILE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION (BOI) WITH FINCEN AS REQUIRED BY THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT (CTA)

FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS FTC BAN ON NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS

By Frank Sardinha, III | Aug 30, 2024

In a recent significant decision, the Northern District of Texas has blocked the implementation of Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) new rule banning non-compete agreements. The FTC rule was set to take effect on September 4, 2024. What does this mean for employers? Businesses may continue to use non-compete agreements in their employment agreements, which will FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS FTC BAN ON NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS

Understanding Florida’s New Employment Regulations

By Frank Sardinha, III | Jul 23, 2024

Florida has enacted significant updates to its employment laws through House Bill 433 and House Bill 49. These laws took effect July 1, 2024. House Bill 433 Key Provisions: Minimum Wage Adjustments: This new law includes adjustments to Florida’s minimum wage, conforming them with federal standards and providing clarity on exemptions and special provisions. Specifically, Understanding Florida’s New Employment Regulations

LOCAL SPECIALTY LICENSES NOT A THING OF THE PAST JUST YET

By Kyle W. Ohlenschlaeger | Jun 26, 2024

A few years ago, the Florida Legislature passed a bill that would eliminate specialty licensing at a local level. Originally, the main thrust of the act was supposed to go into effect on July 1, 2023, which was later extended to July 1, 2024.  The extension bill also made many substantial (and beneficial) changes to LOCAL SPECIALTY LICENSES NOT A THING OF THE PAST JUST YET