South Florida Water Management District vs. Taxpayers of Florida

Feb 17, 2006

OUTCOME:

Acting as bond and special litigation counsel to the South Florida Water Management District, Carol L. Dutra and other attorneys with Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge successfully represented their client ... in one of the largest bond validation proceedings in the Florida's history. Judge Edward H. Fine of the Palm Beach County Circuit Court signed the final judgment from the bench, clearing the way for the District to issue $1.8 billion in Certificates of Participation to finance the initial and most critical projects of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project. “The innovative financing structure could set national precedent for other environmental projects,” said Elaine Johnson James, a Partner with Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge. The Litigation team, led by Elaine Johnson James, worked for months, meticulously preparing for every aspect of a complicated case. Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Partners Richard Miller and Mark-David Adams, with support from Associate Carol Dutra, developed the COP structure as a means to fully leverage the District's existing resources to accelerate by more than ten years the construction of the most critical aspects of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project. The District's "Acceler8" project has drawn national and international attention, as Acceler8 will jump-start the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project, an initiative that began more than a decade ago. The Acceler8 project represents Florida’s initial contribution to the Everglades clean-up. The Federal government is expected to match the Florida contribution. The total estimated cost of the clean-up exceeds $8 Billion.