February 18, 2010

ETHAN LOEB OBTAINS FAVORABLE JURY VERDICT AGAINST CITY OF TREASURE ISLAND FOR FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS

For the past five years, Bricklemyer Smolker & Bolves has represented a sober living facility located in Treasure Island, Florida. Schwarz et al v. City of Treasure Island et al, Case No. 8:05-cv-1696-T-30MAP. This case involved issues of first impression in the Eleventh Circuit (the federal appellate circuit in which Florida is located, along with Georgia and Alabama), including whether a local government can prohibit a handicapped person from living in single family residences in a single family zoning district for a relatively short term.

On February 18, 2010, Ethan Loeb successfully obtained a jury verdict in favor of the Firm’s client after about an hour of jury deliberation. The jury concluded that the City of Treasure Island unlawfully discriminated against handicapped individuals in violation of the Federal Fair Housing Act.

Loeb is a shareholder of the Firm and concentrates in the areas of complex litigation, property rights disputes, and energy law.

St.Petersburg Times article