Marc D. Sarnoff is a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen, where he practices land use and government relations law and is a member of the Land Use Practice Group.
A Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and former City of Miami Commissioner, Marc is a proven advocate for business investment and helped shape Miami’s emergence as a hub for technology, entertainment and culture during his time in office. His experience in land use planning and zoning includes involvement in the creation of the Perez Art Museum, the Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Museum Park, the development of the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center, and the creation of the 90,000 square foot Viacom movie studio. Marc is also experienced in representing the insurance industry on admiralty and maritime law issues. In his 30-year career, he has tried approximately 100 jury trials and 20 bench trials.
Marc served almost a decade as Commissioner for District 2 of the City of Miami, an area comprised of Downtown Miami, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Omni and the Upper Eastside. During this time, Marc also served as Chair of the City of Miami Commission, Chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, Chair of the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency and Chair of the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District. In 2015, Governor Rick Scott appointed him to the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which oversees the Florida Transportation Budget. In 2016 the Governor appointed Marc to the Board of Trustees at Florida International University.
Credentials
Education
- Tulane School of Law, LL.M., Admiralty, 1985
- Loyola School of Law, J.D. 1984
- University of Tampa, B.S., Criminology, 1981
Bar Admissions
- Florida
- District of Columbia
- Louisiana
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for Middle District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for Western District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for Middle District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for Southern District of New York
Professional and Civic
- Commissioner, City of Miami, District 2, 2006-2015
- Chair, City of Miami Commission, 2009-2010, 2012-2013
- Chairman, Downtown Development Authority
- Chair, Omni Community Redevelopment Agency
- Chair, Coconut Grove Business Improvement District
- Metropolitan Planning Organization, 2015-present
- Trustee, FIU Board of Trustees, 2016-present
News & Insights
News & Speaking Engagements
Publications
- Wheeland V. Wheeland: The First Aids Transmission Case, American Journal of Family Law, Vol. 7, 181-187 (1993)
- Trial Diplomacy Journal, Vol. 17, No. 2, 73-79 (1994)
Practice Areas
Industry Focus
Accolades
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Rated, 5.0 out of 5.0
- Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyer, 2015
- Best Elected Official, 2011
- Save Dade Elected Official of the Year, 2010
- Member of Preeminent Attorneys Journal
- Who’s Who Among Elected Officials
- Who’s Who Among American Lawyers