Derrick M. Valkenburg is a partner in Shutts & Bowen LLP's Orlando office, where he is a member of the Construction Litigation Practice Group.
Derrick's practice focuses on construction, commercial and real property litigation. He often represents developers, contractors, material suppliers, and design professionals in disputes involving construction defect claims, delay claims, construction lien issues, contract disputes, and insurance coverage issues. Derrick also represents clients in the areas of commercial landlord-tenant disputes, real property litigation, insurance litigation, employment law, probate and trust litigation, and e-discovery. He has represented clients through trial in both state and federal court actions.
Derrick is a member of the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section where he is an active member of the Construction Law and Insurance and Surety Committees. Derrick has presented moderated panels on construction law, trial practice, e-discovery, and ethics. From 2013 to 2018, he was recognized by Florida Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in the Business Litigation category. Derrick is also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Florida.
Credentials
Education
- University of Florida College of Law, J.D., 2004
- University of Florida, Fisher School of Accounting, M.A., 2004
- Florida Blue Key, Vice President, Spring 2004
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, 2003
- Student Traffic Court, Chief Justice, 2001-2002
- University of Florida, B.S., Accounting, with honors, 2001
- Student Traffic Court, Deputy Chief Justice, 2000-2001
- Valencia College, A.A., with honors, 1999
- Student Government, Vice President - East Campus, 1998-1999
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Tax Court
Professional and Civic
- Associated Builders and Contractors Central Florida Chapter
- Board of Directors, 2022-2024
- The Florida Bar
- Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
- Construction Law Committee
- Insurance and Surety Committee
- Business Law Section
- Trial Lawyers Section
- Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
- Junior Achievement of Central Florida
- Executive Committee, 2020-present
- Board Treasurer, 2023-present
- Board of Directors, 2017-2019
- Finance Committee, 2018-2019
- Career Success, Volunteer, 2017
- Business Hall of Fame, Committee Member, 2016, 2017
- Leadership Council, Executive Committee, 2016-2017
- Above and Beyond Award Recipient, 2016
- Finance Park Virtual Program, Volunteer, 2016-2017
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando
- Finance Committee, Member, 2017-2019
- University of Florida Law Alumni Counsel, 2015-2019
- Orlando, Inc.
- MemberLink, 2013-2016
- Business Builders Chair, 2013-2014
- Leadership Orlando, 2013 (Class 85), Lifetime Member
- Orange County Bar Association
- Afternoon at the Courthouse, Committee Member, 2013
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- High School Mock Trial Competition, Co-Chair, 2011, 2012
- Holidays in January, Volunteer, 2011-2012
- Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
- Producers Group, Member, 2007-2012
- Producers Group, Social Chair, 2008
News & Insights
Presentations
- Panelist, “Best Practices in the Construction Industry," Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) Construction Industry Conference (November 10, 2023)
- Panelist, “Best Practices in the Construction Industry," Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) Construction Industry Conference (October 21, 2022)
- Presenter, "Florida Construction Lien Law," Florida Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (October 23, 2020)
- Presenter, "Construction Law for Brokers,” Commercial Investment Council of the Space Coast Association of Realtors® (October 7, 2019)
- Presenter, "Notice to Owner Pitfalls and Lien Law Q&A," National Association of Credit Management – Tampa, 2017 Statewide Industrial, Cabinet & Hardware Suppliers Trade Group (October 18, 2017)
- Presenter, "Water Intrusion/Construction Defect Claims, Potential Cross Claims and Third Party Claims," The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section (January 17, 2017)
- Moderator, "Memorable and Influential Writing," Panelists: Judge Heather O'Brien, Judge Frederic Schott, and Judge Dan Traver, Orange County Bar Association's 2016 Bench Bar Conference (April 15, 2016)
- Moderator, "Physical Evidence and Exhibits: Get Them Admitted," Panelists: Judge Alice Blackwell and Judge Dan Traver, Orange County Bar Association's 2016 Bench Bar Conference (April 15, 2016)
- Panelist, Orlando, Inc.'s 2015 Entrepreneurs Academy, Entrepreneur Professional Services (October 23, 2015)
- Presenter, "Communications from the Field: E-Filing and E-Service," Orange County Bar Association, Paralegal Section's Paralegal Bootcamp (October 17, 2015)
- Presenter, "Communications from the Field: E-Filing," Orange County Bar Association, Paralegal Section's Paralegal Bootcamp (October 11, 2014)
Publications
- First Cost and Betterment – Two Types of Defenses against Claims for Construction Damages, Shutts & Bowen Construction Law Blog (January 2017)
News & Speaking Engagements
Blog Posts
Practice Areas
Industry Focus
Accolades
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Litigation - Construction, 2024, 2025
- Construction Law, 2025
- Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Business Litigation, 2013-2018
- Junior Achievement of Central Florida, Above and Beyond Award Recipient, 2016
