The Firm's Gaming Law attorneys represent several national and international gaming companies including casino owners and operators, gaming equipment manufacturers and distributors, hotel owners and operators, pari-mutuel facilities, and developers of entertainment retail facilities. The Firm has been a leader in the development of Gaming in Florida and was instrumental in the passage of the Constitutional Amendment authorizing Slot Machines at pari mutuel facilities in Broward County. The political campaigns for both the statewide amendment and local referendum campaign which received voter approval were headquartered in the Firm's Broward County office. Based on these two successful campaigns (state and county) slot machines are permitted in Broward County 's licensed pari-mutuel facilities.
Our representation includes gaming related advice on contracts, licensing, administrative law, government relations, drafting legislation, distribution agreements, intellectual property protection, immigration options, as well as general legal counsel in matters relating to commercial litigation, real estate acquisition and leasing, land use, zoning, construction, vendor and employee contracts and agreements, corporate transactions, international collections and government relations at the State and local levels of government. Our Firm prides itself on finding the necessary legal mechanisms to "make the deal happen" for the client.
The Firm serves as outside corporate counsel to Pompano Park Racing owned by Isle of Capri Casino and served as lead counsel on all aspects of the original acquisition. Since that time, the Firm helped draft and lobby for several hard-fought changes in Florida law to benefit pari-mutuel clients including the introduction of slot machines and allowing for simulcasting and small stakes poker at pari-mutuel facilities. The Firm also analyzed issues and provided legal opinions on the legality of transporting and distributing gaming equipment into Florida for use by the cruise industry docked at Florida ports and have assisted in securing exclusive leases for day cruise operators in South Florida.
In addition to providing advice and counsel on gaming laws and regulations, the Firm also represents gaming clients in domestic and international venues including commercial litigation such as bankruptcy actions, collections, and business torts, plus commercial transactions including advice on equipment sales, credit agreements, and developing lease agreements for the lease and sale of equipment in the United States and internationally.
For example, our commercial litigators represented a large international casino company in a significant Chapter 11 Bankruptcy case in the Middle District of Florida. The case presented complex issues involving the perfection of security interests on gaming machines aboard ocean-going vessels. After the bankruptcy was dismissed, we pursued the assignment and conveyance of some of the collateral in lieu of foreclosure. Some unique issues arose relating to jurisdiction and priority of our claim when the collateral was removed from the state of Florida.
Internationally, the Firm's Prague office headed by attorney Martin Klimpl represents European gaming interests. Mr. Klimpl has been directly involved with developing legislation related to gaming in the Czech Republic and European Union and has worked on the subsequent licensure and permitting required for various clients in the gaming industry. Additionally, we have assisting gaming clients with the myriad of laws governing the transport, sale, and operation of gaming equipment, and the licensure issues throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
For more information about the Firm's Gaming Law practice, please view the Firm's Newsletter "Entertainment Law & Business".
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