Overview
A commercial litigator Board Certified in Construction, Peter Vilmos handles complex litigation cases and appeals. For over three decades, Peter has concentrated his practice on construction projects, first-party insurance matters, business disputes, appeals, and real estate litigation. Clients include owners/developers, contractors, sub-contractors and lenders on construction and project development matters, commercial matters, and other insurance and financing issues. Peter is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator specializing in mediations concerning construction and/or insurance matters.
Peter began his law career in Chicago working on high-exposure corporate litigation claims and contingency-fee business litigation that included class actions on issues from securities to product liability. Since 1996, Peter has focused on similar issues based out of Orlando, Florida. As it has for over a decade, the Florida Bar recognizes Peter as a Board Certified Specialist in Construction. Multi-billion dollar REITs, owners/developers of all sizes, general contractors and sub-contractors seek and receive legal advice on issues ranging from construction contract negotiation, disputes arising during construction, lien issues, licensure issues, land use issues, and construction defects. Because insurance plays such a key role in business—and particularly in the construction business—the practice includes substantial advice and representation on first-party insurance matters, bad faith disputes, and litigation.
Peter understands his clients’ businesses and their goals, allowing him to bring to his practice a New York-bred street-smart approach his clients appreciate. In one instance, Peter orchestrated a stay of multi-million dollar litigation to allow his client to inspect/repair a four-diamond hotel. The resulting renovation not only resolved the litigation, it yielded the client-owner a multi-million dollar profit upon sale. Peter represented an energy company with litigation related to a brown field, a nursing home owner in a trial against its management company, engineering companies (and a variety of other companies) in non-compete claims, and a wide array of businesses with unique problems that demanded a focused and issue-specific resolution.
Reviews from Peter’s peers, the judiciary, and clients resulted in recognition in Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite”, an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell and an invitation to join the inaugural class of the Construction Law Society of America.
Experience
- Represented shareholders in a derivative class action seeking the enforcement of a $250 Million poison pill stock-swap agreement.
- Represented general contractor in appeal of issue regarding increase in allocation of sales proceeds to court registry to properly secure contractor's claim of lien.
- Represented bank in contested prevailing party fee dispute.
- Represented Assignee in a series of litigation matters relating to professional engineering services.
- Represented developer in multi-million dollar dispute over constructive collapse resulting from improper use of steel reinforcement bars.
- Represented insurance carrier in coverage dispute over issue of contractual collapse language regarding a roof.
- Represented insurance agent in defense of non-compete claim from former employer.
- Represented general contractor in arbitration proceedings concerning construction of a multi-story residence.
- Represented general contractor in lien litigation/delay damages litigation involving multi-million dollar dispute over beachside condominium complex.
- Represented engineering firm in action against water utility concerning the design and installation of a remote water monitoring system.
- Represented insurance carrier in coverage dispute concerning trademark and copyright policy exclusions.
- Represented owner of nursing homes in a contractual dispute concerning nursing home management, including a successful appeal.
- Represented a roofer in an alleged construction defect claim.
- Represented business owners and former employees in a non-compete and trade secrets matter.
- Represented Assignee for the Benefit of Creditors in action to maximize estate of assignor/limestone material supplier.
- Represented insurance carrier in appeal of summary judgment on issue of whether or not insured submitted properly detailed bankruptcy disclosures.
- Represented simulation industry contractor in litigation regarding an acquisition from a defense contractor.
- Represented provider of institutional pharmacy services in an appeal from a successful jury trial on a contractual dispute.
- Represented pool subcontractor in enforcement of lien issues and is dispute over the validity of a contractual pay-when-paid clause.
- Represented insurance carrier in defense of first-party claim involving theft.
- Represented insurance carrier in first-party hurricane claims.
- Represented insurance carrier in first party claims from Assignee's of Benefits for water extraction services.
- Represented general contractor in alleged construction defect litigation concerning lakeside mansion.
- Represented lender in water intrusion litigation concerning a large commercial condominium project.
Honors & Recognitions
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Commercial Litigation since 2017; Construction Law since 2018; Litigation - Construction since 2021
- Orange County Bar Association, Outstanding Committee Chair
- Florida Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation since 2010
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator
- Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Attorney
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating
- Florida Trend, "Legal Elite," Construction (2015-2016, 2018)
- Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel (2016)
- Fellows of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (2017); CLSA Community Service Award (2019)
Newsroom
News
Events
Articles
Professional & Community
Civic Activities
- Rotary District 6980, President of the Year
- Leadership Orlando, Class 39
- Florida Supreme Court Certificate of Recognition, Pro Bono Guardian Ad Litem
- Junior Achievement, Volunteer
- March of Dimes, Central Florida Division, Board of Directors, Past-President
- Rotary District 6980, Assistant District Governor (2004-2005), Leadership Council (2005-2006); Rotary Club of Orlando Breakfast, Past President (2001-2003)
- Orange County Bar Association, Pro Bono Guardian Ad Litem (1996-Present)
- Volunteer Swim Instructor to underprivileged youth, Central Florida YMCA
Professional Activities
- Orange County Bar Association
- Florida Bar Association
- Illinois Bar Association
- New York Bar Association
- Florida Bar
- George C. Young First Central Florida Inns of Court
- March of Dimes, Central Florida Division
- Rotary Club of Orlando Breakfast
- The New York Bar
Paralegal/Assistant
Legal Practice Assistant
Nancy Wilson-Mosley
(407) 540-6608
nwmosley@burr.com
