Erik F. Szabo is a partner in the Orlando office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is a member of the Construction Litigation Practice Group. Erik is Florida Bar Board Certified in Construction Law.
Erik has represented individuals and businesses throughout the Central Florida area in construction, real estate, commercial, business, and collections matters. His practice includes residential and commercial construction litigation; construction lien issues; payment and performance bond litigation; construction law issues; construction defect claims; delay claims; change order disputes; subcontractor law issues; contract negotiations; contract preparation, review and revision; contract disputes; commercial litigation; shareholder derivative actions; preparation of operating agreements, asset purchase agreements, non-solicitation agreements, restrictive covenants, employments agreements, and non-compete agreements; commercial real estate; and more. Erik has represented owners, contractors, engineers, architects, design professionals, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, and material and equipment suppliers throughout the state. He represents clients at the trial and appellate levels throughout the State of Florida as well as at arbitration proceedings. Erik has assisted clients in complying with state and federal guidelines as well as construction licensing issues.
Erik has been recognized for his work in construction litigation by Best Lawyers of America and Florida Super Lawyers magazine, and has been rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell (highest possible ranking).
Erik speaks to audiences pertaining to the Florida Construction Lien Law and construction contracts. Such audiences have included the Greater Orlando Builders Association, the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, the Florida Swimming Pool Association, and the Air Conditioning Contractors Association of Central Florida.
Credentials
Education
- Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D., 2002
- Recipient, Academic Excellence Award for Remedies
- Recipient, Academic Excellence Award for Advanced Legal Research
- Teaching Assistant for Legal Research Writing
- Member, American Bar Association Law Student Division
- Florida Coastal Law Review
- Manuscript Editor, 2001 – 2002
- Associate Staff Editor, 2000
- University of Florida, B.A., Criminal Justice, 1998
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- Tennessee Bar – Pro Hac Vice – 2015 – 2016
Professional and Civic
- Associate Director, Greater Orlando Builders Association (2018-2023)
- Orange County Bar Association
- Construction Committee
- The Florida Bar
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Construction Law Committee
- Business Network International (BNI), 2011 - 2013
News & Insights
Presentations
- Speaker, “Inspire Solutions, Not Lawsuits,” Florida Apartment Association’s Inspire 2023 Conference and Trade Show – October 13, 2023
- Speaker, "Regulatory and Legislative Panel," 2022 Mid Florida Housing Summit – October 19, 2022
- Speaker, "Diving into Bid Documentation and Construction Contracts," Construction Law 101 for Paralegals: From Contracts to Litigation, National Business Institute – June 8, 2022
- Fundamentals of Florida Construction Contracts – FSPA Central Florida & North Central Florida Chapters – January/March 2022
- Complying with Florida’s Construction Lien Law – GOBA Developers Council – March 2022
- Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA) Florida Solar & Storage Summit - 2021 - Fundamentals of Florida Construction Contracts
- Florida Swimming Pool Association – Everything Under the Sun Expo – 2020 – Complying with Florida’s Construction Lien Law
- Florida Swimming Pool Association – Everything Under the Sun Expo – 2020 – Fundamentals of Florida Construction Contracts
- Florida Swimming Pool Association - Charlotte Harbor Chapter CE Course, "Florida Construction Lien Law (2 CE Hours)" - 2019
- Greater Orlando Builders Association - Construction Defects/Stucco Litigation Seminar, "Anatomy of a Construction Defect Claim" - 2019
- Construction Contracting / Litigation – The Florida Bar Basic Real Property - 2019
- Greater Orlando Builders Association – Florida Construction Lien Law and Construction Contracts
- Florida Swimming Pool Association – Everything Under the Sun Expo – 2017 – Florida Construction Lien Law and Construction Contracts
- Air Conditioning Contractors Association of Central Florida – Florida Construction Lien Law and Construction Contracts
News & Speaking Engagements
Blog Posts
Practice Areas
Industry Focus
Accolades
- Florida Bar Board Certified, Construction Law
- Best Lawyers of America, Litigation - Construction, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Rated, 5.0 out of 5.0
- Florida Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Star - Construction Litigation, 2010, 2011 & 2012
- Orlando’s Top Lawyers – "Orlando Life," Construction and Commercial Litigation, 2013
