Overview
Erin is extremely knowledgeable of litigation and is a pleasure to work with. Her writing skills are superb.
- Chambers USA 2024
Erin Tilton represents private and public sector clients before local, regional, and state agencies, courts, and elected bodies on environmental, real estate development, and land use matters. She has experience advising clients on a wide-range of complex land use permitting and entitlement issues, including comprehensive plans and amendments, rezonings, variances, concurrency and development agreements, Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review and rescission, and other related aspects of securing development authorization. She is skilled in developing and implementing litigation strategy as it relates to obtaining, challenging, and defending development approvals.
In addition to her land development practice, Erin also maintains a broad litigation practice where she represents clients in administrative, circuit court, and appellate litigation on a variety of matters, including complex business, real estate, contract, and private property rights disputes. She also has extensive experience litigating issues under Florida’s Public Records Act on behalf of both private and public sector clients.
Representative Experience
- Represented large landowner seeking to recover $298 million under the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act in a case involving multiple issues of first impression.
- Assisted electric utility in amending local comprehensive plan and land development code provisions to allow for the establishment of solar generation facilities in agricultural areas.
- Served as counsel to mortgage holder in $150 million multi-family residential foreclosure action in federal court involving several construction liens and hundreds of unit purchasers.
- Obtained judgment for community development district allowing issuance of $19 million in municipal bonds after contested validation hearing
- Negotiated complex settlement agreement on behalf of state agency resolving $60 million in potential liability over failed public-private partnership.
- Obtained judgment after evidentiary hearing against local government for public record violations, recovering $75K in attorney’s fees and costs.
- Served as in-house counsel to a large investor-owned electric utility on matters before the Florida Public Service Commission.
Professional & Community Involvement
- Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2024-Present
- Florida Manufactured Housing Association (FMHA), 2021
- Urban Land Institute (ULI)
- Capital Region Leadership Council, 2022-Present
- Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association Advisory Council, 2020-Present
- Tallahassee Bar Association, 2013-Present
- President, 2023-2024
- President-Elect, 2022-2023
- Treasurer, 2021-2022
- Board of Directors, 2018-Present
- Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Chair, 2019-Present
- Marketing Committee, Chair, 2021-Present
- Tallahassee Bar Bulletin, Co-Editor, 2021-Present
- Young Lawyer Section Board of Directors, 2014-2019; President, 2017-2018
- The Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section (RPPTL), Development and Land Use Planning Committee, 2014-Present
- Leon County Teen Court, Volunteer Judge, 2013-Present
- American Bar Association, Managing Editor, Administrative & Regulatory Law News, 2018-2021
Recognition
- Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (North & Central Florida), Up and Coming, 2024-Present
- The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, 36 Under Thirty-Six Professionalism Award, 2024
- National Association of Women Lawyers, Rising List, 2023
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2021-Present
- Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2017-2023
- Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite, Up & Comer, 2021-2022
- Tallahassee Bar Association, Thomas M. Ervin, Jr. Distinguished Young Lawyer Award, 2018
- Tallahassee Woman Magazine, Women to Watch, 2018
- The Florida Bar, Environmental and Land Use Law Section, Dean Frank E. Maloney Memorial Writing Contest winner, 2013
- Stetson University College of Law, Hearne Environmental Law Award, 2013
Publications & Presentations
Events:
Shining a Light on Sunshine and Public Records Laws
APA Florida|December 2024
Land Development News Update, Publications:
What's Developing | Fall 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|November 2024
Events:
Shining a Light on Sunshine and Public Records Laws
APA Florida - Capital Region Section, Fall Social|October 2024
Land Development News Update, Publications:
Hurricanes, Flash Floods, and Tornadoes – Development Permit Extension Opportunities Are Now Available
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2024
Events:
Obtaining and Defending Land Use Approvals
Florida Planning Conference, APA Florida|September 2024
Land Development News Update, Publications:
What's Developing | Summer 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|August 2024
Publications:
President’s Message
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|November 2023
Events:
Best Practices for Obtaining & Defending Land Use Approvals
2023 Florida Planning Conference|September 2023
Newsroom
Firm Announcements:
35 Stearns Weaver Miller Lawyers and 11 Practice Areas Ranked In Chambers USA 2024
June 2024
In the Media:
YLD Recognizes 36 Young Lawyers For Professionalism Excellence
Florida Bar News|March 2024
Firm Announcements:
Erin Tilton Earns 36 Under Thirty-Six Professionalism Award by The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division
February 2024
Firm Announcements:
Erin Tilton Recognized on 2023 NAWL Rising List
January 2023
In the Media:
Stearns Weaver Names 11 New Shareholders Across Fla.
October 2022
Firm Announcements:
Stearns Weaver Miller Names 11 New Shareholders
October 2022
In the Media:
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin
August 2022
Firm Announcements:
Erin Tilton Elected to ULI North Florida’s Capital Region Council
July 2022