Marisa J. Powers
Principal
Marisa practices in the areas of local government, litigation and land use. In her local government law practice, she serves as counsel to a wide variety of local government entities, including municipal, school district, community development district and an interlocal government. She has advised boards, drafted ordinances, and reviewed agreements for various local governments. She also represents private clients in all aspects of the permitting and development process. Her litigation practice includes businesses disputes, trust and estate disputes, title defect claims, employment disputes, and construction related controversies. Marisa represents individuals, developers, builders, retail stores, non-profit organizations, title companies, and other businesses. She has handled a variety of matters, including breach of contract, business torts, real estate disputes, lien foreclosure actions, claims of undue influence, and mortgage foreclosure matters.
Honors
- AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Bar Associations
- The Florida Bar
- City, County and Local Government Section
- Twelfth Judicial Grievance Committee “B”, June 2014 – June 2017
- Manatee County Bar Association
- Board of Directors, 2015-2018
- Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Manatee County Chapter
- Board of Directors, 2011 – 2017
- Treasurer, 2011 – 2013
- Vice President, 2014 – 2015
Professional
- City of Bradenton Breach
- Special Magistrate, 2023 – present
- Florida Municipal Lawyers Association
- Member, 2020- present
- Manatee Inn of Court
- Master, 2021-present
- President, 2021-2022
- Barrister, 2014 – 2021
- Barrister, Judge John M. Scheb, American Inn of Court, 2012 – 2014
Community
- Realize Bradenton
- Board of Directors, 2021-present
- Turning Points
- Board of Directors, 2016-2018
- Volunteer
- PACE Center for Girls
- Board of Directors, 2011-2016
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay
- Former Program Leadership Council
- Manatee Young Professionals
- Leadership Committee, 2012 – 2013
- Cheers for Charity Women’s Giving Circle
- Member
- FSU Seminole Club, Manatee County
- Board of Directors, 2018-2019
- Stetson University College of Law (J.D. 2004, cum laude; National Conference of Law Reviews Editor of the Stetson Law Review)
- Florida State University (B.S. 2000)
Representative Matters
Marisa Powers provides representation in relation to:
- Trustees, personal representatives and/or beneficiaries in probate and trust litigation, including claims of undue influence and lack of capacity
- Lenders, borrowers and guarantors in mortgage foreclosures
- Developers, owners, contractors, subcontractors and/or suppliers in construction litigation
- Employers and employees in the enforcement of employment contracts, including non-competition covenants
- Title insurance companies in resolving claims
- Landlords and tenants in commercial lease disputes
- Buyers and sellers in real estate contract disputes
- Brokers and owners in disputes regarding real estate commissions
- Plaintiffs and defendants in commercial collection matters
- Businesses and individuals in contractual disputes
- Employee Handbooks on behalf of corporate clients
- Trademark matters for corporate client
Recent News
Presentations
“How to Avoid Litigation”, Prudential Palms Realty, 2010
