Robert E. V. Kelley Jr.

Honors

• AV Preeminent® Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
• Florida Super Lawyers (2007-2024)
• Florida Trend’s Legal Elite (2008-2009, 2012)
• The Best Lawyers in America^® (2007-2025)
  • 2020 Tampa Litigation and Controversy - Tax Lawyer of the Year
• TAMPA Magazine's Top Lawyers (2023)
  • Eminent Domain / Condemnation Law

Education

University of Florida, B.A., 1981

Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 1984

Bar Admissions

American Bar Association

The Florida Bar

Hillsborough County Bar Association

Court Admissions

All Florida State Courts

11th Circuit Court of Appeals

Experience

• Represented an NHL ownership group in successfully achieving assessment reductions of 80% per year for three consecutive years on a sports arena located in Tampa, Florida by selecting and leading a multi-disciplinary team of experts. Trial and appeal.
• Obtained an assessment reduction for a national beverage manufacturer’s orange juice processing plant located in Bradenton, Florida. Trial and appeal.
• Successfully challenged assessment of 1,197 room resort hotel located at major central Florida theme park, reducing value by 38% and obtaining ruling that “Rushmore Method” was unlawfully used by assessor. Trial and appeal.
• Represented incumbent local exchange carrier in obtaining assessment reduction on network assets located in Sarasota, Florida, subsequent to 1996 Telecom Act, by establishing assessment impermissibly included value of company’s intangible personal property. Trial and appeal.
• Negotiated settlement on behalf of incumbent local exchange carrier in Hillsborough County, Florida that reduced the $1billion dollar assessment of its legacy copper network based on fiber optic replacement network.
• Negotiated multi- year assessment reduction on super regional mall located in Tampa, Florida on behalf of national mall developer.
• Negotiated assessment reduction on processing plant located in Clewiston, Florida for dominant sugar manufacturer.
• Successfully recovered special damages from Florida DOT for institutional landlord in right of way case for loss of favorable contract rent with restaurant tenant who cancelled lease on the basis of eminent domain taking.

Community & Professional

• Quantum Leap Farm: Secretary and Director
• Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club: Secretary and former Director
• South Creek Foxhounds: Hunt Committee (Director) 
• Economic Club of Tampa
• St. John's Episcopal Church
• Tampa Yacht & Country Club: former Secretary and Governor (Director) 
• Parkland Estates Civic Club: former President and Director
• University Club of Tampa
• Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla

• Hillsborough County Aviation Authority v. Henriquez
  370 So. 3d 334 2D20-3602
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. July 7, 2023
• Gulf Marine Repair Corporation v. Henriquez
  375 So. 3d 306 2D20-2613
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. July 7, 2023
• Singh v. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc.
  325 So. 3d 124 5D18-2927
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District. August 7, 2020
• Bayside 180, LLC v. Wilkinson
  75 So.3d 1251 (Table, Text in WESTLAW), Unpublished Disposition 2011 WL 6016903 2D10-5584
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. December 02, 2011
• Dolgencorp, Inc. v. Crapo
  56 So.3d 770 (Table, Text in WESTLAW), Unpublished Disposition 2011 WL 814157 1D10-0820
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District. March 09, 2011
• School Bd. of Hernando County v. Mazourek
  46 So.3d 65 (Table, Text in WESTLAW), Unpublished Disposition 2010 WL 4323055 5D09-4255
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District. October 05, 2010
• Stiles v. Rayonier Performance Fibers, LLC
  39 So.3d 324 (Table, Text in WESTLAW), Unpublished Disposition 2010 WL 2721558 1D10-2338
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District. July 12, 2010
• Stiles v. Terrapointe L.L.C.
  39 So.3d 324 (Table, Text in WESTLAW), Unpublished Disposition 2010 WL 2721557 1D10-2424
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District. July 12, 2010
• Belden v. Tampa Westshore Associates Ltd. Partnership
  982 So.2d 721 2008 WL 1756543 2D07-3217, 2D07-3218, 2D07-3219
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. April 18, 2008
• Crapo v. HCA, Inc.
  968 So.2d 54 2007 WL 2932868 1D06-5640
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District. October 10, 2007
• Robbins v. Columbia LaGrande Hosp., Inc.
  Not Reported in So.2d 2005 WL 2233253 04-23748 CA 10
  Florida Circuit Court, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Miami-Dade County, Civil Division. August 31, 2005
• Skyway Trap & Skeet Club, Inc v. Southwest Florida Water Management Dist.
  854 So.2d 676 2003 WL 21554307 2D02-3423
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. July 11, 2003
• Robbins v. IHC/Miami Beach Corp.
  Not Reported in So.2d 2004 WL 3563923 00-29505 CA 10
  Florida Circuit Court, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Dade County., General Jurisdiction Division. September 17, 2004
• GTE Florida, Inc. v. Todora
  854 So.2d 731 2003 WL 21990211 2D01-1035
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. August 22, 2003
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Mazourek
  836 So.2d 1078 2003 WL 201334 5D99-3168, 5D99-3165
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District. January 31, 2003
• Turner v. Lusk
  819 So.2d 258 2002 WL 1393663 2D00-5348
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. June 28, 2002
• Turner v. Concorde Properties
  823 So.2d 165 2002 WL 1394723 2D01-3776
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. June 28, 2002
• Fuchs v. Robbins
  818 So.2d 460 2002 WL 500138 SC96182, SC96183, SC96674
  Supreme Court of Florida. April 04, 2002
• Florida Water Services Corp. v. Utilities Com’n
  790 So.2d 501 2001 WL 699017 5D00-2275
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District. June 22, 2001
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Todora
  791 So.2d 29 2001 WL 387939 2D99-4324, 2D99-3779
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. April 18, 2001
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Mazourek
  778 So.2d 346 2000 WL 1878952 5D99-3165, 5D99-3168
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District. December 29, 2000
• Mazourek v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  831 So.2d 85 2002 WL 1291981 SC01-663
  Supreme Court of Florida. June 13, 2002
• Palm Beach Gardens Community Hosp., Inc. v. Nikolits
  754 So.2d 729 1999 WL 993145 98-3992
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District. November 03, 1999
• Turner v. Hillsborough County Aviation Authority
  739 So.2d 175 1999 WL 682598 98-03123
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. September 03, 1999
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Day
  742 So.2d 408 1999 WL 682609 98-2978
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District. September 03, 1999
• Winthrop & Joseph, Inc. v. Marriott Resort Hospitality Corp.
  695 So.2d 789 1997 WL 216205 96-0794
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District. May 02, 1997
• Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority for Use and Benefit of State, Dept. of Transp. v. Harrell
  645 So.2d 1026 1994 WL 583289 93-01542
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. October 26, 1994
• Schultz v. TM Florida-Ohio Realty Ltd. Partnership
  577 So.2d 573 1991 WL 41054 75,322
  Supreme Court of Florida. March 28, 1991
• Schultz v. TM Florida-Ohio Realty Ltd., Partnership
  553 So.2d 1203 1989 WL 80705 88-00914
  District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. July 21, 1989