Areas of Practice
- ENVIRONMENTAL
- Regulatory
- GOVERNMENTAL
- Administrative/Government Relations/Land Use
- Government Contracts & Procurement
- Utilities & Energy
- LAND USE & ZONING
- UTILITIES & ENERGY
Education
- J.D., summa cum laude, University of Miami School of Law, 1988
- M.U.P., University of Michigan, 1979
- A.M., University of Michigan, 1978
- A.B., University of Michigan, 1976
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Memberships
- American Institute of Certified Planners
- American Planning Association
Suite 1500
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
TEL: 954-527-2409
FAX: 954-333-4009
Mr. Mele concentrates his practice in zoning, environmental, land use and governmental law. Prior to joining Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., Mr. Mele was a land planner with the South Florida Regional Planning Council, Broward County and the City of Coconut Creek. He also served as City Manager of the City of Coconut Creek from 1984 to 1989.
Mr. Mele represents developers, property owners and local governments seeking development entitlements for their real estate projects. Mr. Mele has represented clients before federal, state, regional and local government agencies. Because of Mr. Mele’s background as a certified planner and city manager, as well as his legal qualifications, he is able to advise clients in a wide range of environmental and land use permitting issues.
Mr. Mele has extensive experience in land development, construction and budgeting issues. He has also been involved in the annexation of large land areas into municipalities including the preparation of annexation agreements and special acts to protect property owners’ rights. Mr. Mele has represented developers in obtaining approvals for developments of regional impact (DRI’s), land use plan amendments and a variety of other development approvals. Mr. Mele’s practice also includes local, regional, state and federal wetlands jurisdictional determinations and dredge and fill/environmental resource permitting. Mr. Mele works closely with real estate attorneys on land use and environmental issues affecting real estate transactions
Mr. Mele lectures frequently on land use issues including environmental permitting, comprehensive planning and concurrency.
He has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for more than11 years; Florida Super Lawyers 2007, 2008, and 2009; has been named among "Top Lawyers" by the South Florida Legal Guide, 2006-2010; and is AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Mr. Mele has been recommended by The Legal 500 US 2009 for Florida Real Estate and Construction related work in the areas of Land Use & Zoning, and named as a "Leader in their Field - Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use," by Chambers USA 2009 and 2010.
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Publications
News
- Twenty-Three Ruden McClosky Attorneys Named In Best Lawyers In America 2010
- Ruden McClosky Announces New Utilities & Energy Practice Group
- Thirty-one Ruden MClosky Attorneys named in Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2009
- Ruden McClosky Partners Recognized in The Legal 500
- Six Ruden McClosky recognized as “Leaders in their Field” in Chambers USA 2009.
- Thirteen Ruden McClosky Partners selected as Top Lawyers and Top Up & Comer in the South Florida Legal Guide 2009
- 24 Ruden McClosky Attorneys Included in The Best Lawyers In America 2009
- TWENTY-NINE RUDEN McCLOSKY ATTORNEYS NAMED IN FLORIDA SUPER LAWYERS 2008