Suzanne E. Gilbert
Partner
Overview
Suzanne Gilbert is a partner in Holland & Knight's Orlando office and practices in the areas of financial and real estate litigation, business litigation and creditors' rights.
Ms. Gilbert has experience representing clients in complex commercial disputes in federal, state and bankruptcy courts. Ms. Gilbert has substantial experience representing financial institutions and other lenders in a variety of matters, including complex commercial foreclosures, loan workouts and asset resolution, defense of lender liability claims, and in fraudulent transfer and preferential transfer actions. Additionally, a significant portion of her practice involves real estate litigation, including contract disputes, title issues, environmental issues and mortgage fraud. She also has significant experience in matters involving Article 3 and Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. In addition to her focus on financial and real estate litigation, Ms. Gilbert has also defended class actions involving Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. She is a staunch advocate for her clients and is also a Certified Circuit Court Mediator.
Since 2007, Ms. Gilbert has served as the practice group leader for the firm's Central Florida Litigation Group. She previously served as the Orlando office coordinator of Holland & Knight's Women's Initiative Group, a firmwide program aimed at enhancing opportunities for female attorneys, as well as promoting marketing and client development programs for Central Florida businesswomen and community leaders. In addition, in 2003, Ms. Gilbert was selected to participate in the inaugural class of the firm's Rising Stars program, a year-long economic development program which encourages women attorneys towards community and firm leadership, as well as their advancement in the legal profession.
In the community, Ms. Gilbert has been actively involved in organizations focused on the arts and sports in Central Florida. Specifically, she has served on the board of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater for over 15 years, including a two-year term as its president. In addition, Ms. Gilbert has served on the executive board of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, serving for two years as its secretary, and now serves on its advisory board.
In college, Ms. Gilbert was a manager for the men's basketball team at Duke University. During her tenure as head manager, the team won the 1991 and 1992 NCAA National Championships.
Credentials
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D., with honors
- Duke University, B.A., Political Science
- Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Executive Board Member
- The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Merit Selection Panel, Chair
- American Bar Association, Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary
- American Bar Association, House of Delegates, Drafting Committee
- American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Meetings and Travel, Chair
- American Bar Association, Board of Governors, former Member
- American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Executive Board, former Member
- 11th Circuit Historical Society, Inc., Vice President-Florida
- Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Board of Directors, President
- American Counsel Association, Past President
- Orange County Bar Association, ABA House of Delegates
- Florida Blue Key
- Florida Hospital Foundation Cardiovascular Institute, Board Member
- Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Board Member and Secretary
- Frederick Leadership Institute, Board Member
- Duke Club of Central Florida
- Junior League of Greater Orlando
- The American Law Institute
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Commercial Litigation, 2024, 2025; Litigation - Real Estate, 2013-2025; Litigation - Banking and Finance, 2012-2025, Banking and Finance Law, 2015-2025
- Florida Super Lawyers magazine, 2010-2024
- Florida Super Lawyers magazine, Top 50 Women, 2011, 2014-2016, 2018, 2020, 2021; Top 100 Attorney, 2014-2016, 2021; Orlando Top 50, 2020-2022
- Holland & Knight Pro Bono All-Star, 2021
- William Trickel Jr. Professionalism Award, Orange County Bar Association, 2021
- "Women Who Mean Business," Orlando Business Journal, 2019
- Florida Legal Elite Hall of Fame, Florida Trend magazine, 2016-2022
- Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend magazine, 2009-2022
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Orlando Banking & Finance Litigation Lawyer of the Year, 2012
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Orlando Banking & Finance Lawyer of the Year, 2017
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
- Florida Legal Elite "Up & Comer," Florida Trend magazine, 2005-2008
- Star of the Bar Award, Orange County Bar Association, 2015
- "40 Under 40," Orlando Business Journal, 2008
- Best of the Bar, Orlando Business Journal, 2005
- University of Florida Law Student of the Year, 1996