Tony Abate, partner in the Sarasota office, and Christopher Z. Staine, associate in the Sarasota office, presented "The Emerging Dilemma: Surety's Obligations on Green Building Projects" at the Northeast Surety and Fidelity Claims Conference September 22, 2011 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Mr. Abate's practice involves commercial disputes of any nature in the form of business litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation, with an emphasis on construction, probate and trust, and eminent domain litigation. Mr. Abate is Board Certified in Construction Law, one of only 223 lawyers statewide to receive this distinction, and is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Abate received his J.D. from Southern Illinois University and his B.S., with honors, from Northern Illinois University.

Mr. Staine is Board Certified in Construction Law. He focuses his practice on all aspects of construction law, including the review and preparation of construction contracts, advising clients on updates to the Florida Construction Lien Law, and construction litigation. Mr. Staine represents general and marine contractors, as well as commercial and residential real estate developers. Mr. Staine received his J.D., cum laude, from Michigan State University and his B.A. from Texas Christian University.