Austin B. Calhoun

Austin B. Calhoun is a seasoned business attorney with a client portfolio spanning corporations, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and businesses of all sizes. Mr. Calhoun provides strategic counsel in business litigation, corporate governance, transactional law, and dispute resolution. His expertise extends across high-stakes construction disputes, business torts, contract negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, loan origination, foreclosure defense, creditor bankruptcy representation, trademark protection, riparian rights, business formations, and business breakups.

A Unique Foundation: From Construction to Law

Before entering the legal field, Mr. Calhoun built a distinguished career in the construction industry. As a Certified General Contractor and LEED Accredited Professional, he managed multimillion-dollar projects, overseeing the development of high-rise condominiums, office buildings, historical renovations, hospital expansions, and large-scale retail projects. His hands-on experience gives him a distinct advantage in the practice of law, allowing him to offer clients unparalleled insight into project management, contract negotiation, and risk assessment and mitigation.

Strategic Counsel & Industry Leadership

Drawing from his dual expertise in construction and law, Mr. Calhoun is a trusted advisor for businesses navigating complex legal challenges. His problem-solving skills, crisis management experience, and ability to communicate effectively across all levels of an organization—from subcontractors to corporate executives—set him apart in the legal industry.

Representative Casework & Successes

• Mergers & Acquisitions – Guided an $8M private equity acquisition in the construction sector
• Construction Law – Defended contractors against licensing board complaints & negotiated multi million-dollar construction defect settlements
• Real Estate & Community Associations – Secured favorable outcomes in high-stakes lien disputes and development contracts
• Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights – Protected client interests in contested bankruptcy proceedings and foreclosure actions
• Business & Administrative Law – Advised business partners through corporate restructuring and employment law challenges
• Intellectual Property – Successfully defended trademarks and service marks against infringement

Legal Excellence & Academic Distinction

Mr. Calhoun’s legal acumen is built on a foundation of academic excellence. He earned his Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law, magna cum laude, graduating in the top 2% of his class. His achievements include: Nine Book Awards for the highest grade in courses like Property Law, Torts, and Civil Procedure; Governor’s Scholarship & Dean’s Honors Scholarship recipient; Law Review Staff Editor and Phi Delta Phi Honor Society member. Austin was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014 and is licensed to practice in all U.S. District Courts in Florida.

Beyond the Office

Mr. Calhoun is a lifelong Floridian, currently residing in St. Johns County with his wife, Kristen, their two children, Audrey and Lauren, and their two energetic Boxers—Pennylane and Lucy. A devoted Florida Gators fan, he enjoys watching football and basketball, traveling, spending time at the beach, and perfecting his golf game—though he humbly admits, "terribly." Known for his competitive spirit, he takes pride in winning at cards, winning at anything, and guiding his children through life.

Recognitions & Accolades

• Super Lawyers Rising Star (2019-2021)
• Certified General Contractor – CGC1520831
• LEED Accredited Professional
• Nine Book Awards for Academic Excellence

Whether he’s negotiating a high-stakes business deal, resolving a dispute, or guiding a client through complex litigation, Mr. Calhoun brings an unmatched level of experience, dedication, and strategic foresight to every case.

For legal counsel backed by real-world industry expertise, connect with Austin B. Calhoun today.

Representative Matters

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Advise financial services conglomerate in a streamlining merger and squeeze out of 50% owner of one affiliate.
• Re-organized the corporate structure of a business enterprise under a holding company.
• Counseled construction company in an approximate $8 million offer from a private equity firm.
• Represented seller of large landscaping business in an asset only sale transaction.
• Represented buyer of minority shareholder position in a long-standing property appraisal firm.
• Represented seller of corporate services business in an asset sale and consulting agreement transaction.
• Represented buyer in the acquisition of an events coordination business.
• Represented seller in a $4.25 million stock sale acquisition of a community association management service business by a national brand.
• Counseled group of partners on various issues in the $9.5 million sale of their merger and acquisition services business to a global financial services corporation.
• Counseled engineering design firm in an acquisition offer from a design conglomerate.
• Counseled roofing company in an acquisition offer from construction conglomerate.

Construction, Real Estate and Community Associations Law

• Performed analysis to calculate multi-million dollar construction delay claim.
• Recorded a Claim of Lien for a construction materials supplier.
• Provided counsel and assisted out-of-state contractors to obtain a Florida contractor’s license.
• Represented contractors at CILB Board Appearance to obtain certified roofing licenses.
• Defended licensed contractors in complaints filed against their license with the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
• Developed plan for licensed general contractor to increase his business revenue by becoming a secondary qualifying agent for a roofing contractor.
• Terminated residential contractor that refused to cooperate with the owners.
• Represented contractors in closing out construction projects with owners.
• Represented owners in closing out construction projects with contractors.
• Defended residential homeowners against claims of lien filed on their property.
• Negotiated with lender on behalf of homeowners to allow construction to recommence with claims of lien of record.
• Advised general contractor in amicable resolution of a dispute with owner.
• Drafted agreement for general contractor embodying the resolution of a dispute between owner, contractor, and subcontractor.
• Negotiated settlement on behalf of condominium association against general contractor for construction defects.
• Represented general contractor in payment dispute against tenant for tenant improvements to entertainment facility.
• Represented tenant upfit contractor – lienor to obtain full payment in real estate transaction of high rise building.
• Advised homeowner in amicable resolution with general contractor.
• Drafted form agreements for contractors including prime contract, sub contracts, purchase orders, etc.
• Settled a multi-lien lawsuit with international home builder.
• Advised commercial owner in closeout of large construction project.
• Negotiated Case Management Order to organize and streamline complex multi-party construction defect case.
• Obtained payment in full on subcontractor claims of lien in large construction projects.

Bankruptcy

• Negotiated an Agreed Order to estimate Creditor’s contingent, unliquidated claim.
• Defended alleged debtors in a strongly contested involuntary bankruptcy case on an emergency basis, and had the petitions dismissed.
• Moved for recovery of attorney’s fees after dismissal of involuntary petitions.
• Moved for recovery of compensatory and punitive damages based on a bad faith filing of an involuntary petition.
• Negotiated the sale of debtor’s property for the benefit of secured creditors.
• Obtained an order authorizing trustee to sell debtor’s property to secured creditor in third position to maximize such creditors return.
• Obtained relief from automatic stay to pursue ongoing wrongful death claims in state court.
• Represented creditors to maximize their payment from bankruptcy estate or debtor.
• Represented large secured creditor to obtain favorable agreed order.
• Represented defendants in preference actions.

Business and Administrative Law

• Guided business partners in separation of interest in restaurant chain business.
• Advised contractor how to handle an OSHA citation.
• Obtained a dismissal to get our business client out of a civil theft case.
• Drafted Severance Agreement for an industry-leading business.
• Drafted documents for the purchase of a majority share of an existing small business on behalf of the buyers.
• Provide continuing advisement to minority shareholder of business in the process of winding down and defending against attacks by outside creditors and insider principals.
• Filed motion to dismiss a complaint for action on a guarantee by a non-resident business.
• Advised new business on contracting, scope of services, and governances protocols to minimize risk.
• Drafted Letter of Intent for asset-only purchase of business.
• Provided guidance to employers in employment matters.
• Prepared documents in corporate governance matters.

Intellectual Property Law

• Oversaw registration and approval process for many trademark and service mark registrations.
• Defended trademarks by serving cease and desist letters causing infringers to stop the infringing use of the marks.

Banking and Lender Liability Law

• Retired mobile home titles to the real property collateral of financial and lending institutions.
• Obtained certified title to mobile homes after replevin.
• Successfully litigated and provided counsel for several Note Breach and Mortgage Foreclosure cases for financial and lending institutions, resulting in replevin of secured property, loan workouts, deeds in lieu of foreclosure and mortgage foreclosure.
• Perform title analysis services and draft documents for hardship mortgage modifications.
• Enforced deficiency judgments against personal guarantors of loan agreements.
• Negotiated and obtained Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure on various collateral.
• Perform title and risk analysis for loan workouts.
• Corrected title defect in legal description in deed and mortgage through use of surveyor certificate.
• Drafted and closed commercial construction loan secured by Negative Pledge and Springing Mortgage.
• Negotiated Petition for Summary Administration and Determination of Homestead in probate matter for deceased borrower.