5th ed. (2006) - 13th ed. (2024)
The Florida Bar
Overview
Darrell Payne is an experienced trial lawyer focusing on complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts, as well as domestic and international arbitrations. Over the last 30 years, Darrell has successfully tried many cases to verdict. He handles all phases of litigation, including mediation and appeals.
Darrell is a Firm Shareholder and has served on the Board of Directors. He has been a leader of professional and community organizations, including serving multiple years as Board President and Treasurer for 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.
Areas of Concentration
- Complex commercial litigation
- Contract disputes and business torts
- Lawsuits involving real estate, business and property valuation, including ad valorem tax assessment challenges
- Intellectual property litigation
- Bankruptcy adversary matters
- Eminent domain and land use claims
Notable Experience
- Successfully defended a $10 million fraudulent transfer adversary claim involving a Spanish multimedia company and valuation issues relating to FCC licenses and a multi-million dollar contingent liability, after a multi-day, non-jury bankruptcy trial.
- Won a $750,000 non-dischargeability judgment, based on the debtor’s fraud and embezzlement involving luxury automobiles, after a multi-day, non-jury bankruptcy trial.
- Successfully defended a multinational logistics company in a $10 million claim for misappropriation of trade secrets and tortious interference, after a multi-day, non-jury trial in federal court in California.
- Successfully defended $14 million lost profits claim in an international arbitration involving a multinational agricultural commodities company.
- Secured $2.4 million non-jury verdict in trademark/distributorship dispute involving organic food manufacturer.
- Secured $1.7 million non-jury verdict in a partnership buyout dispute.
- Successfully prosecuted corporate valuation/appraisal rights proceeding involving master-planned communities and other significant real estate assets.
- Successfully challenged tax assessments in administrative proceedings and circuit court lawsuits for a range of commercial properties and businesses.
- 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.
- 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.
Credentials
Education
- J.D., with honors, University of Florida Levin College of Law, 1988
- B.A., with honors, University of North Carolina, 1985
Admissions
- Florida
- United States District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Judicial Clerkships
- Law Clerk, Honorable Kenneth L. Ryskamp, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 1988-1989
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, Co-Chair
- Public Policy Committee
- WLRN Public Television and Radio, Community Advisory Board Chair
- University of Florida College of Law
- Law Center Association, Board of Trustees
- Alumni Council
- Law & Technology Conference Steering Committee
- Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Association, Inc.,
Board Member - Friends of Gables High, Co-Founder and 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
- Legal Services of Greater Miami (LGSMI) 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