
Bradley J. Ellis
Member
phone // 941.366.8100
fax // 941.366.6384
bellis@icardmerrill.com
ABOUT
Bradley J. Ellis concentrates his practice in the areas of land use and zoning, construction, governmental liability, commercial and general litigation, and appeals. He advises a wide range of clients on legal matters relating to real estate, permitting, planning, development, and environmental issues.
Prior to joining Icard Merrill, Brad served as an associate for a West Palm Beach firm where he practiced in various areas of civil litigation, including commercial litigation, construction defects, governmental liability, personal injury, premises liability, and products liability. He also worked as certified legal intern at the State Attorney’s Office, 8th Judicial Circuit, in Gainesville, Florida.
HONORS
- The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, Land Use/Zoning, 2018-2020
- Sarasota County Bar Association: March 2018 Community Foundation of Sarasota community impact highlighted member
- Boy Scouts of America:
- Arrow of Light, Feb. 12, 1992
- Eagle Scout, May 10, 1993
- Vigil Honor Member, May 21, 2000
- Founder’s Award recipient, Jan. 8, 2011
- William T. Hornaday Gold Badge recipient, Oct. 9, 2015
- OA Distinguished Service Award, July 31, 2018
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
- 12th Judicial Circuit Local Professionalism Panel, 2018-present
- American Hiking Society:
- Board Chair, present
- Board Vice-Chair, Oct. 2016-2018
- Strategic Planning Committee Chair, Oct. 2017-present
- Executive Director Search Committee Chair, Oct. 2016-Apr. 2017
- Board Member, Oct. 2015-present
- Sarasota Chamber of Commerce:
- City Priorities Council, Oct. 2015-present
- Assignment Downtown Council, Oct. 2014-Oct. 2015
- National Eagle Scout Association: Life Member
- Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association: Life Member
- Leave No Trace Certified Trainer; May 2004-present
REPORTED CASES
- DZE Corporation v. Vickers, 299 So.3d 538 (Fla. 1st DCA 2020)
- 5F, LLC, v. Boca Grande Isle LLC, 261 So.3d 654 (Fla. 2d DCA 2018)
- Thomas M. Knight, Sheriff of Sarasota County v. Chief Judge of Florida’s Twelth Judicial Circuit, and Karen E. Rushing, Clerk of the of the Circuit Court of Sarasota County, 235 So.3d 996 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017)
- Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, 713 F.3d 1066 (11th Cir. 2013)
- Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, 539 Fed.Appx. 997 (11th Cir. 2013)
- Forbes v. City of North Miami, 509 Fed. Appx. 864 (11th Cir. 2013)
- Donnelly v. City of Parkland, No. 12-60015-Civ., 2012WL253212 (S.D.Fla., Jan. 26, 2012)
- Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, 39 F.Supp.3d 1392 (S.D. Fla., Oct. 29, 2014)
- Forbes v. City of North Miami, No. 11-21200-Civ., 2012WL1135820 (S.D.Fla., Apr. 4, 2012)
NEWS
- Icard Merrill Attorneys Honored as 2024 Best Lawyers
- Twelve Icard Merrill Attorneys Honored as 2023 Best Lawyers
- Eleven Icard Merrill Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers in America
- Ten Icard Merrill Attorneys Named 2020 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Bradley Ellis Reelected as Board Chair of American Hiking Society
- Eight Icard Merrill Attorneys Named to 2019 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Bradley J. Ellis Appointed to 12th Judicial Circuit Local Professionalism Panel
- Bradley J. Ellis Presented with Distinguished Service Award
- Ten Icard Merrill Attorneys Named to 2018 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Bradley J. Ellis to Receive Order of the Arrow’s Distinguished Service Award
- Bradley Ellis Attends Spring Board Meeting of American Hiking Society
EDUCATION
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D., 2007, cum laude
Florida Blue Key; The Florida Moot Court Team, board member; UF Journal of Technology Law and Policy, board member; Order of Barristers national member; UF Levin College of Law Fall 2007 Graduation commencement speaker - Florida State University, B.S., Political Science and Criminology 2003; summa cum laude; Co-Valedictorian
ADMISSIONS
- Florida, 2008
- U.S. Middle District of Florida, 2008
- U.S. Southern District of Florida, 2008
- U.S. 11th Circuit, 2011