Attorney Profile

Debra Herman leads the Commercial Transaction Division and is head of the Real Estate, Facilities, Recreation & Culture Section. Her areas of expertise are broad, including a unique practice focused equally on transactional work and real estate litigation.

Since joining the County Attorney's Office, Debra has participated in a multitude of complex real estate matters, with a focus on economic development in the community. These projects have been varied, including the development of large-scale warehouse and distribution centers, a container park, a stadium, a shopping center, a high-speed rail train station, as well as other economic engines. She also has provided counsel in mixed use affordable housing deals, as well as community interest projects initiated by not-for-profit entities.

Debra has lectured as an expert in the field of eminent domain and has been recognized in numerous publications as a top lawyer in her field. She has handled the acquisition of countless properties throughout South Florida, through negotiation, litigation, and trial. Her practice also includes tax deed litigation, in which she has successfully recovered substantial sums of money for the County.

Prior to joining the County Attorney's Office, Debra was the Senior Eminent Domain Attorney at the Florida Department of Transportation, where she litigated complex eminent domain matters such as the Miami Intermodal Center, preceded by her time spent litigating commercial matters at Tew & Garcia Pedrosa and Mershon Sawyer.