Administrative Law and Licensing

What Is Administrative Law and Licensing?

Administrative law is the body of rules and decisions issued by government agencies that govern how businesses and licensed professionals operate. In Florida, that includes the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Department of Health, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Florida Bar, the Agency for Health Care Administration, and many other state and local boards.

Licensing is the practical edge of that authority. A license is the government’s permission to do work in a regulated field. When an agency questions whether you should keep that permission, an administrative process begins, with its own forums, deadlines, and rules of evidence. The stakes are high: your livelihood, the value of your business, and your professional reputation can all turn on the outcome.

What Does an Administrative Law and Licensing Attorney Do for You?

A skilled administrative attorney protects what you have already earned, opens doors that regulators have closed, and helps you avoid trouble before it starts.

On the defensive side, your attorney intervenes the moment a regulator signals interest, responding to subpoenas, drafting position statements, and timely petitioning for hearing under Section 120.57. Early action often resolves a matter informally, before it ever reaches a public hearing.

On the access side, your attorney pursues new licensure, restored licensure, change-of-ownership approvals, variances, and declaratory statements when applications stall or denials issue.

On the prevention side, your attorney serves as ongoing counsel, vetting advertising, entity structure, and operational practices so small issues never ripen into discipline.

Administrative Law and Licensing Services We Offer

Jimerson Birr provides a full continuum of administrative and licensing representation across Florida.

Licensure, Permitting, and Approvals

Initial applications, change-of-ownership and entity-qualifying approvals, license transfers, reciprocity filings, branch approvals, and hearings on denied applications.

License Defense and Discipline Response

Investigative responses, probable cause appearances, settlement negotiations, formal Section 120.57(1) hearings before the Division of Administrative Hearings, and informal Section 120.57(2) hearings before licensing boards.

Administrative Hearings and Appellate Review

Trial preparation and presentation in administrative forums, plus appellate review in Florida’s District Courts of Appeal under Section 120.68 and stays of agency action where appropriate.

Rulemaking, Variances, and Declaratory Statements

Petitions for variances and waivers under Section 120.542, declaratory statements under Section 120.565, and rule challenges under Sections 120.56 and 120.595.

Compliance Counseling and Risk Mitigation

Audits of advertising and operational practices, staff training on documentation and reporting, and on-call counsel between renewal cycles.

Industries We Support

Jimerson Birr represents licensees and applicants across more than fifty regulated professions and trades, including real estate, construction, health care, financial services, insurance, hospitality, professional services, and specialty regulated fields. A complete list of industries we handle appears above, with each linking to a focused practice page.

What to Expect During Your Case

Step 1: Consultation and Case Assessment

We review the agency notice, identify the statutes and rules at issue, map deadlines, and outline the realistic range of outcomes.

Step 2: Investigation and Strategy

We gather documents, retain experts where needed, and develop a written strategy that names the goal, the steps to reach it, and the budget to do so.

Step 3: Pre-Hearing Engagement

Most matters resolve before a hearing. We engage agency prosecutors early and negotiate settlement terms, closing memoranda, citations, or consent orders that protect your license and your record.

Step 4: Formal or Informal Hearing

If the matter proceeds, we try the case before the Division of Administrative Hearings or the licensing board, with full preparation of testimony, exhibits, and experts.

Step 5: Final Order, Appeal, and Aftercare

We review the final order for legal error, advise on appellate options, and close the loop on any reporting or continuing education obligations.

Why You Should Choose Jimerson Birr for Your Administrative Law and Licensing Case

Deep Florida Regulatory Experience

Our attorneys have day-to-day familiarity with Florida’s boards, prosecutors, and administrative law judges. We do not learn the system on your case.

A Tallahassee Presence Where Decisions Are Made

In October 2025, Jimerson Birr established a Tallahassee presence to strengthen our administrative and regulatory practice, putting attorneys on the ground where the agencies write the rules and the Division of Administrative Hearings hears the cases.

A Full-Service Business Law Firm

Few licensing problems exist in isolation. Because Jimerson Birr is a full-service business law firm, your administrative attorney can pull in colleagues across litigation, employment, real estate, healthcare, and corporate transactions to address the whole problem.

Our Seven Superior Service Commitments

Every engagement is governed by our Superior Service Commitments: client-defined value, efficient and cost-effective service, accessibility, results-driven experience, enduring partnership, exceptional communication, and accountability to goals.

Get Help With Your Case Today

If you have received a notice of investigation, an administrative complaint, or a license denial, the time to talk to counsel is now. Florida administrative deadlines are short, often twenty-one days from the date of the notice, and rights waived by silence are difficult to recover.

Call (904) 389-0050 to speak with our administrative law and licensing team. Initial consultations are confidential. With offices in Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Ponte Vedra Beach, we represent licensees and businesses throughout Florida.
Contact Us  |  Call (904) 389-0050

Frequently Asked Questions About Administrative Law

How long do I have to respond to an administrative complaint or notice from a Florida agency?

Most Florida administrative matters carry a twenty-one-day window from receipt of the notice to file an election of rights or petition for hearing. Missing that deadline can waive your right to contest the agency’s allegations.

Will I have to appear in court if my license is challenged?

Not in the courthouse sense. License disputes are heard in administrative forums, most often the Division of Administrative Hearings or the licensing board itself, rather than in circuit court.

Can I keep working while my license matter is pending?

In most cases, yes. Until a final order is entered restricting your license, your credential generally remains active. Exceptions include emergency suspension orders and certain criminal triggers, which can change your status quickly.

How much does it cost to hire an administrative law and licensing attorney?

Cost depends on the agency, the nature of the matter, and how far the case must proceed. Many engagements resolve at the pre-hearing stage at a fraction of the cost of a full trial. We offer transparent fee discussions and alternative fee arrangements where appropriate.