PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Brandon Held joined Mills Paskert Divers in 2007. His practice is primarily devoted to complex commercial litigation, which includes suretyship, construction litigation, and various other business related matters.

Brandon graduated from University of Florida in 2002 with his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Decision and Information Sciences (business consulting). Before attending law school, Brandon owned and operated a marketing company and later opened a restaurant in Gainesville while he attended graduate school. Aside from owning and operating multiple businesses in the past, Brandon also received his M.B.A. degree while attending law school at Stetson University College of Law.

During law school, Brandon was a member of one of the top-ranked trial programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Brandon represented Stetson in both state-wide and national competitions, and led Stetson to three mock-trial competition victories. While in law school Brandon received numerous recognitions, including being recognized by Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and being inducted into the Order of Barristers, a national honorary organization that recognizes individuals who have excelled in advocacy. Brandon received the book award in Constitutional Law I and Criminal Law.

Brandon's litigation practice involves a variety of business-related disputes. These disputes include various actions for breach of contract, including breach of contract actions for failures to satisfy debts, breach of commercial lease agreements, and breach of personal guaranties. Brandon represents plaintiffs and defendants, and has handled numerous matters involving the collection of judgments.

In his construction and surety practice, Brandon handles a variety of commercial surety claims on both public and private projects, including condominium complexes, parks, homes, schools, and public road projects. Brandon has also investigated, litigated, and resolved numerous payment and performance bond claims on the types of projects referenced above. After resolving the contract and commercial surety claims, Brandon has experience handling claims against indemnitors to recover losses suffered by sureties

Brandon’s contract and commercial surety practice is not limited to construction projects. Brandon has handled numerous claims involving Motor Vehicle Dealers Bonds, Administrator (Probate) bonds, Guardianship Bonds, and Notary Bonds.

Brandon enjoys spending his leisure time playing golf and tennis, and watching college football.

MEMBERSHIPS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Admitted to Practice in all state courts in Florida and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.

• The Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • Forum Committee on the Construction Industry

• Section of Litigation
  • Construction Litigation Committee
  • Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
  • Pretrial Practice and Discovery Committee

• Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
  • Fidelity & Surety Law Committee
  • Young Lawyers Division

SPEECHES / PUBLICATIONS

"Red Flag Rising – The Demise of Gibson," Insights, Winter 2009

"Offers of Judgment: Not a Safe Harbor From Bad Faith Claims," Insights, Winter 2008

"No Liability for Attorneys’ Fees Under Statutory Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond," Insights, Fall 2008

"Florida’s Statute of Repose Significantly Reduced!," Insights, Fall 2006