Darrell Payne | Stearns Weaver Miller

Overview

Darrell Payne is a Shareholder in the Litigation Department and a member of the Firm’s Board of Directors. His practice covers a wide range of complex commercial litigation and business torts. He regularly represents clients in contract disputes, intellectual property litigation & lawsuits involving banking, real estate and construction. Darrell also has experience with claims involving title to real property, title insurance disputes, tax assessment challenges, eminent domain and land use claims, cargo loss claims, distributorship issues, and accounting negligence. He handles all phases of litigation in state and federal courts throughout Florida, including mediation, arbitration and appeals. Darrell served as a law clerk to United States District Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp, in the District Court for the Southern District of Florida, from 1988-1989.

Darrell has been a leader of professional and community organizations, including Legal Services of Greater Miami, which provides free civil legal services for the economically disadvantaged. He is passionate about expanding pro bono opportunities and has made many presentations on lawyer professionalism for The Florida Bar and The Dade County Bar.

Representative Experience

Successfully defended one of the world’s largest non-vessel operating common carriers in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, in an action brought by one of its main competitors, seeking more than $10 million dollars, and alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair trade practices, and tortious interference with contract and business relationship. After a multi-day bench trial, Defendant prevailed on all claims.
Secured $2.4 million non-jury verdict in trademark/distributorship dispute involving organic food manufacturer.
Successfully challenged land-use/zoning change for multi-million dollar condominium project near national historic landmark.
Obtained $1.7 million non-jury verdict in a partnership buyout dispute.
Successfully litigated complex commercial and multi-unit residential development foreclosures for lenders and loan-holders, including bankruptcy and workout issues.
Successfully prosecuted corporate valuation/appraisal rights proceeding involving master-planned communities and other significant real estate assets.
Successfully litigated trade secret theft / employee non-compete dispute involving international distillery / alcoholic beverage company.
Successfully challenged tax assessments in administrative proceedings and circuit court lawsuits for a range of commercial properties and businesses, including a major shopping mall, a high-rise rental development, an apartment complex, gaming facilities, and funeral homes/cemeteries.
Defended multi-million dollar business tort jury trial involving international commodities trading.
Defended chemical company in multi-million dollar jury trial involving alleged damage to aquaculture concern in Ecuador.
Successfully handled distributorship litigation for various companies, including international chemical company, international electronics company and Latin American distributor of medical products.
Represented international fast-service food franchisor in trademark/trade dress/franchisee litigation.
Successfully represented pro bono client in quit claim action, recovering clear title and allowing client to remain in his home of more than 30 years.

Judicial Clerkships

Law Clerk, Honorable Kenneth L. Ryskamp, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Professional & Community Involvement

The Florida Bar
- Rules of Judicial Administration Committee
- Standing Committee on Professionalism
- Eminent Domain Committee
- Young Lawyers Division - Board of Governors
Dade County Bar Association
- Board of Directors
- Professionalism Committee
- Federal Courts Committee
- Schools Committee
American Bar Association, Litigation Section
Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.
- Board President
- Board Treasurer
- Executive Committee
- Campaign Committee
- Audit & Finance Committee
United Way Miami
- Executive Committee
- Board of Directors
- Community Impact Committee, Co-Chair
- School Age Education Impact Council, Past Co-Chair
- Public Policy Committee
WLRN Public Television and Radio, Community Advisory Board Chair
University of Florida College of Law
- Law Center Association
- Alumni Council
- Law & Technology Conference Steering Committee
Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Association, Inc.,
Board Member
Friends of Gables High, Board Chair
Miami Pro Bono Round Table
Drug Free Youth in Town (DFYIT)
South Dade Family YMCA, Adventure Guides Program, Volunteer
Coral Reef Yacht Club
- Youth Sailing Committee
- Audit & Finance Committee
Dade County Children First Program, Guardian Ad Litem Attorney
Florida Law Related Education Association, Inc.
- Florida High School Mock Trial Program, Advisory Committee
Cities in Schools/Corporate Academy, Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bigs at Work
Florida Baptist Children’s Home, Big Brother
Volunteer Youth Sports Coach, various sports
The Education Fund, Teacher Champion/Volunteer

Recognition

LSGMI Julie Azuaje Volunteer Leadership Award, 2021
Pro Bono Honoree, Legal Services of Greater Miami, 2019
Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2019
The Education Fund, The Sapoznik Insurance Public School Alumni Achievement Award, 2017
President's Distinguished Leadership Recognition – Pro Bono, Dade County Bar Association, March 2017
Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite, 2016
Legal Services of Greater Miami, 50 Voices Honoree, 2015
ALM/Law.com South Florida’s Top Rated Lawyers, 2012
Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition, Business Litigation, 2010
South Florida Legal Guide - “Top Lawyers in South Florida,” 2006-2007
Miami Metro Magazine Legal Guide, Top Lawyer, 2001
Put Something Back Joint Pro Bono Project of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Pro Bono Award, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2002
AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Publications & Presentations

Publications: Environmental Concerns Chapter, Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure
The Florida Bar (5th ed. (2006) through 12th ed. (2021))|January 2021

Ad Valorem Tax News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Should You Challenge Your Property Tax Assessment?
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |August 2017

Events: Miami Pro Bono Roundtable's Pro Bono Fair and Poverty Simulation
Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus|March 2016

Publications: Commentary: A Report Card on Check 21
Bank & Lender Liability Litigation Reporter|September 2007

Publications: Juris Federal Law Clerk Training Handbook
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida|January 1994