Harry A. Payton

Harry Payton represents domestic and international corporations and high net worth individuals in complex business litigation matters involving commercial real estate and construction litigation; corporate, shareholder and partnership disputes; litigation involving fine art; probate, will and trust litigation; intra-family business disputes; and professional malpractice cases for plaintiff and defendant involving attorneys, accountants, architects and engineers.

Harry is one of 92 attorneys Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial and Business Litigation. He has received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer review rating, “AV Preeminent® 5 out of 5,” for over 30 years. He has been recognized in the list of Florida Super Lawyers® since 2006; included in the South Florida Legal Guide list of Best Litigators: Corporate & Business, since 2005; and recognized in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for Litigation-Real Estate.

Harry was appointed to serve on the Supreme Court of Florida’s Committee on Professionalism for the 11th Judicial Circuit, and chairs the mentoring program subcommittee. In the ABA, he is a member of the Corporate Counsel Committee, Section of Litigation.

Harry’s membership in two international legal associations enables clients of the firm to be supported with legal services wherever they engage in business. Harry is a member of the International Network of Boutique and Independent Law Firms (INBLF), and president of the organization’s Miami chapter.  In addition, he is a member of IR Global, a leading advisory network of over 750 professionals in the areas of law, accounting and finance, where he participates on the steering committee of the Private Client Group.

• Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, District of Columbia
  • LL.B.
• Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
  • B.S. cum laude

Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial, since 1983

Florida Bar Board Certified in Business Litigation, since 1977

• Recognized by The Florida Bar as a member in good standing for 50 years, June 2016
• Selected to the 2016 list as a member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC)
• Recognized for earning and maintaining Florida Bar board certification status in civil trial for 30 years, June 2013
• Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent, 1983 – 2018
• Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers®, 2006 – 2017
• Selected for inclusion in South Florida Legal Guide, Best Litigators: Corporate & Business, 2005-2018
• Recognized in the 24^th edition of Best Lawyers (2018) for Litigation – Real Estate
• National Guard, Honorable Discharge

• Professionalism Committee for the 11th Circuit, 2012 – Present
• The Florida Bar, Member: Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee, July 2011-2016; Member, Judicial Administration and Evaluation Committee, 2008-2011; Member, Grievance Committee, 1976-1979
• The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education: Member 2002-2008, Vice Chair, 2004-2005, Chair 2005-2006
• BLSE Standards Committee: Member 2002-2005
• BLSE Executive Committee: Member 2004-2007, Vice Chair 2004-2005, Chair 2005-2006
• BLSE Communications Committee: Member 2006-2008, Chair 2007-2008
• Business Litigation Certification Committee: Member 1997-2002, Vice Chair1999-2000, Chair 2000-2001
• American Bar Association: Subcommittee on Billing and Budgeting, Corporate Counsel Committee, Section of Litigation: Vice Chair 1994-1997, Co-Chair 1998-2004
• ABA Section of International Law, Art & Cultural Heritage Law Committee, Member, 2014 – Present
• ABA Forum Committee on Entertainment and Sports Industries, Arts & Museums, Member, 2014 – Present
• International Network of Boutique and Independent Law Firms (INBLF), 2012 – Present
• The Florida Bar Business Law Section, 2014-present; The Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section, 2014 – Present
• IR Global (formerly International Referral), 2013 – Present
• Council on Litigation Management, 2009 – 2010

A Guide to Partnering with Outside Litigation Counsel, American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation, Corporate Counsel Newsletter, 2013