Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Our attorneys provide comprehensive litigation and dispute resolution services to individuals, large and small businesses, and government and quasi-government organizations, including pre-suit mediation, traditional litigation and appeals, alternative dispute processes, private judging matters, and arbitrations, in state and federal, trial, and appellate courts throughout Florida. Our attorneys have successfully litigated, tried, and handled appeals throughout our state.
Family, Divorce, Paternity
For some, family law is sometimes called “threshold law,” describing lawyers who’ll take any case that crosses the thresholds of their offices. Not us. We are selective about who we agree to represent, and the number of cases we take on, to ensure we can provide concierge level to our clients. Our most satisfying referrals come from our former opponents, who say they regretted not being represented by us.
Government Affairs and Lobbying
At DownsAaron, we help businesses do more than react to policy shifts—we help them shape the outcome. Our Government Affairs team combines deep legal insight with decades of hands-on experience in public service, legislative strategy, and regulatory advocacy. Whether you’re seeking to influence legislation, navigate complex agency rules, or build critical relationships with policymakers, we provide the access, intelligence, and strategic counsel needed to advance your goals. From city hall to Capitol Hill, we’re your voice where it matters most.
Municipal and Local Government
Our lawyers have been advising and fighting for local governments throughout the State of Florida for over 20 years. Help with public records? State preemption? Discrimination or abuse of power claims? Condemnation or annexation questions? Investigations, internal or external? Or any of the hundreds of other issues that local governments must handle daily – DownsAaron can help.
Legal Concierge Services
DownsAaron offers one point of contact for your nationwide legal matters and business needs. We offer a unique and exclusive concierge service to simplify your life. This includes providing counsel related to your needs—even those that are personal. This gives you the convenience of having one law firm—that is intimately familiar with your business, goals, and vision—to coordinate and manage your service providers in all areas to make sure there is a cohesive strategy to advance your best interests.
Trials and Appeals
DownsAaron can smooth your way through an unlimited variety of matters with state and local government. We have unparalleled access and relationships – a claim many make, but we can prove – and the knowledge and experience to both assess and obtain the desired result. And if we can’t obtain your result, we’ll tell you up front. We can also work with you strategically about how to shape and scale what you need to heighten your chances of success.
Bet-the-Company Litigation
You won’t find this phrase in any statute or case book. But you know what it means. Sometimes a problem is more than just a dispute. Sometimes the outcomes matter almost more than you can explain, or process. Sometimes a problem has no easy answers. This is where we live. We have litigated, tried and strategically resolved critical, complex and one-off cases for decades. Our founder, Mayanne Downs, has been selected by peers, businesses and governments as the go-to “Bet the Company” litigator for years.
Higher Education
At DownsAaron, we deeply value the mission of higher education institutions and understand the complex challenges they face. Our attorneys bring firsthand appreciation for the transformative power of education—after all, our own professional capabilities rest upon the foundation of our educational experiences.
Election Law and Campaign Finance
Need guidance on compliance, campaign finance, and election disputes? Concerned about a particular political ad campaign? Unsure about disclosure requirements during a hotly contested election?
Real Estate Law
At DownsAaron, we combine legal precision with business pragmatism to help clients navigate the full real estate lifecycle. From acquisitions and development to leasing, financing, and joint ventures, our attorneys deliver strategic counsel that anticipates risk and advances your objectives. Whether you’re closing a purchase, structuring a JV, or securing entitlements, we bring deep transactional insight and regulatory fluency to every deal. Real estate is about more than property—it’s about opportunity. We help you seize it.
Automotive Dealership Representation
At DownsAaron, we understand that running an automotive dealership means balancing manufacturer demands, regulatory hurdles, and day-to-day operations—all under tight scrutiny. Our attorneys bring deep industry knowledge to help dealers navigate franchise agreements, resolve disputes, close transactions, and stay compliant with evolving laws. We provide legal strategies that keep your dealership moving forward with confidence.
Defamation and Media Law
Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets. Whether it’s a false campaign on social media attempting to diminish your business, or wild accusations meant to attack you personally, our team knows the damage this causes to your reputation. Our attorneys have successfully litigated defamation claims throughout the State of Florida, and defended against spurious claims brought against people merely speaking the truth.
Fintech Law
Innovation in financial technology doesn’t wait—and neither do we. At DownsAaron, our attorneys help fintech companies stay ahead of regulatory complexity, protect critical assets, and bring bold ideas to market. From payment processing and data privacy to blockchain and digital identity, we provide the legal insight and strategic counsel needed to succeed in this high-stakes, high-speed industry. Explore how our fintech team can help you move forward with confidence.
Class Action Defense
Class actions can put your business, reputation, and future at risk. At DownsAaron, we deliver strategic, aggressive defense in high-exposure litigation—including TCPA, FTSA, and data breach cases. From early intervention to post-resolution compliance, our team provides comprehensive support tailored to your business objectives. We fight certification, control costs, and protect your public image—while helping you prevent future exposure. With a proven track record across Florida courts, we don’t just defend—we fortify.
Intellectual Property Litigation
We have handled trademark investigation and litigation in state and federal courts, from both the standpoint of the owner of the intellectual property, to the defense of trademark infringement claims. We have also assisted in managing patent prosecution, and the launch of software and other technological matters related to patent development, registration, approval and even breach. As we do in our legal concierge practice, DownsAaron can also help manage all areas of intellectual property development and management.
Expert Services
At DownsAaron, we provide trusted expert testimony in attorney fee disputes—delivering clarity where billing complexity meets legal scrutiny. Founding partner Mayanne Downs is a seasoned expert witness with deep experience evaluating fee reasonableness under the Rowe and lodestar standards. Whether supporting a fee claim or challenging an excessive one, we offer clear, authoritative analysis that courts respect. In high-stakes litigation, our expertise can make the difference between an award and a setback.
Risk Management Services
At DownsAaron, we help businesses turn risk into strategic advantage. Our attorneys work closely with leadership teams to identify potential legal pitfalls, assess exposure, and develop proactive mitigation strategies—tailored to your goals and risk tolerance. From growth-stage ventures to established enterprises, we provide practical legal insight that empowers confident decision-making. We also defend legal professionals in malpractice matters and partner seamlessly with in-house counsel to close gaps and fortify your risk posture. Let us help you manage uncertainty with clarity and foresight.
Mergers and Acquisitions
At DownsAaron, we treat mergers and acquisitions as strategic turning points—not just legal transactions. Our M&A attorneys provide end-to-end counsel, from deal structuring and due diligence to closing and post-integration. Whether you’re acquiring, merging, or planning an exit, we tailor each step to your business goals while navigating regulatory, tax, and contractual complexities. With DownsAaron, your next move isn’t just protected—it’s positioned for long-term success.
Counselors at Law
Lawyers and law firms used to routinely include this phrase on their brochures and stationery. Somewhere along the line, the phrase lost its cache. Not for us. We are deeply proud that business leaders, those well-known for excellence, public servants, even other lawyers and law firms call us for help, counsel and advice. Many of our clients confidentially seek help, strategy, and guidance and no one ever knows. This is partly why you’ll never see on this website – or anywhere else – a listing of our clients. You’d recognize a lot of names, but it’s not our place to identify them. We’re happy they come to us for help. That’s what counts.
How can we help you?