VLP Copenhaver Espino

What VLP Copenhaver Espino does

VLP Copenhaver Espino is a Florida-based boutique law firm specializing in construction law and adjacent litigation, headquartered in Tallahassee with additional offices in Fort Lauderdale and Coral Gables. The firm was founded in 1997/1998 as Vezina, Lawrence & Piscitelli, P.A. by Rob Vezina, Joe Lawrence, and Mike Piscitelli, and was renamed and expanded effective January 1, 2023 to reflect the addition of a Miami-area office and two new resident shareholders (Alejandro Espino and Jennifer C. Gonzalez), with Brad Copenhaver appointed Managing Shareholder. The firm operates five integrated practice areas: Construction Law and Litigation (its heritage and primary practice), Government Contracting and Administrative Law, Public-Private Partnerships and Design-Build, Commercial/Business Litigation, and Condominium Litigation.

The firm serves enterprise and government clients concentrated in the heavy-civil, transportation, and general construction sectors, including large national and international contractors (Skanska U.S. Civil, MasTec, OHLA, Vinci, Prince Contracting, Hubbard Construction, GLF Construction) and Florida-based firms (Bergeron Land Development, Community Asphalt, The De Moya Group, Ranger Construction). It also advises the Florida Department of Transportation and industry associations (FTBA, Engineering Contractors Association of South Florida, ARTBA), providing counsel on Florida's purchasing and protest codes, surety and bond claims, P-3 and design-build procurement, bid protests, and construction defect litigation. Several shareholders hold Florida Bar Board Certification in Construction Law, and the firm has acted on landmark Florida P-3 projects including the I-4 Ultimate and I-595 Corridor.

The business model is professional services revenue through billable hours, fixed fees, and contingency or hybrid arrangements depending on matter type. There is no proprietary technology platform; client acquisition is driven by professional reputation, peer referrals, attorney thought leadership (speaking at FDOT/FTBA/DBIA events and publishing in trade journals), and consistent recognition in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Trend Legal Elite, and Who's Who Legal (Construction). The firm has 11-50 employees and operates as a privately held Florida professional association with no external PE/VC ownership.

Name

VLP Copenhaver Espino

Legal name

VLP Copenhaver Espino

Website

https://vlplaw.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VLP Copenhaver Espino is a Florida boutique law firm (founded 1998, renamed 2023) specializing in construction law, government contracts, P-3/design-build, and commercial litigation, serving heavy-civil contractors, sureties, and government clients across the southeastern US from offices in Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, and Coral Gables.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Legal Services (5411)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs) (BPAHAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contract Administration Support (PO/Contract Compliance) (BPAAAJAE), HOA/Condo Document & Estoppel Services (BPAJAOAK)

Keywords

• Construction law services
• Government contract law
• Public-private partnerships
• Commercial litigation
• Condominium construction law

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallahassee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Legal Services Fees: The firm generates revenue through professional legal fees for construction law and litigation services, government contracting and administrative law counsel, public-private partnerships and design-build representation, and commercial/business litigation. Revenue is earned through billable hours, fixed fees for specific matters, and contingency or fixed-fee arrangements depending on the nature of the engagement.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

VLP Copenhaver Espino is a Florida boutique law firm that delivers specialized legal counsel in construction law and litigation, government contracting and administrative law, public-private partnerships and design-build, commercial and business litigation, and condominium litigation. The firm represents contractors, subcontractors, sureties, design professionals, owners, government contractors, condominium associations, and other businesses primarily in Florida and the southeastern United States.

Product overview

VLP Copenhaver Espino is a boutique Florida law firm specializing in construction law and related litigation. The firm offers five core legal service areas: Construction Law and Litigation (the firm's heritage practice covering both public and private construction matters), Government Contracting & Administrative Law (procurement and regulatory compliance), Public-Private Partnerships & Design-Build (P-3 and design-build project delivery), Commercial/Business Litigation (broad commercial disputes), and Condominium Litigation (construction issues specific to Florida condominiums). These services are not separate software products but rather integrated legal practice areas delivered by attorneys across the firm's three Florida offices in Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, and Coral Gables.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Construction Law and Litigation Full-service construction law representation covering public and private construction projects, including contract negotiation, bid protests, litigation of construction disputes, suretyship matters, and transportation technology issues, for contractors, subcontractors, sureties, design professionals, and owners.
• Government Contracting & Administrative Law Legal counsel for companies transacting business with Florida state agencies and local governments, including procurement solicitation responses, procurement protests, contract performance and enforcement, and regulatory compliance.
• Public-Private Partnerships & Design-Build

Quantifiable outcome

• Represented six major subcontractors in I-595 Corridor Roadway Improvement Project, a $1.2 billion P-3 project
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)coreOthersFDOT is a key government partner and client. VLP attorneys provide counsel on Florida's purchasing and protest codes, have represented FDOT in major procurements, and maintain active relationships through the firm's Tallahassee office proximity to state government.
• Florida Transportation Builders AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTBA is a key industry association where Rob Vezina serves as General Counsel. The firm maintains close working relationships with FTBA through its transportation industry focus and regular participation in FTBA conferences and publications.
• American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)minorOthersNational transportation builders association providing industry connections and resources for the firm's construction and transportation industry clients.
• Engineering Contractors Association of South FloridaminorOthersRegional industry association connecting the firm with South Florida construction contractors and related businesses.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Foley & Lardner: Large national law firm with a significant Florida construction and government contracts practice. Provides broader corporate and litigation capabilities than VLP but competes for the same construction industry clients and P-3 / design-build work in Florida.
• Holland & Knight: Large national law firm with a substantial Florida construction practice and strong P-3 and infrastructure capabilities. While much broader than VLP, it competes directly for the same tier-one GC and government contract work in Florida and provides an alternative for clients seeking full-service coverage.

Direct peers

• GrayRobinson: Florida-based full-service law firm with a recognized construction law practice and significant Tallahassee government lobbying capabilities. Comparable to VLP in serving Florida construction industry clients and providing government contract and procurement advice.
• Akerman LLP: Major Florida-headquartered full-service law firm with a substantial construction practice and a strong Tallahassee government affairs presence. Competes with VLP for Florida construction and government contract matters and has overlap in the same GC and subcontractor client base.
• Cole, Scott & Kissane: Large Florida-based litigation firm with a dedicated construction practice group serving contractors, subcontractors, and sureties. Comparable to VLP in construction litigation and insurance/surety defense work, with overlapping South Florida client base.
• Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson: Florida-based law firm with a recognized construction practice serving developers, contractors, and government entities. Comparable to VLP in Miami/Fort Lauderdale construction litigation and government contract matters, often competing for the same South Florida GC clients.
• Peckar & Abramson: One of the largest U.S. construction law firms, with offices in Florida and a national P-3 and design-build practice. Directly comparable to VLP in construction litigation, surety, and government contract work, and competes for similar Florida-based infrastructure and P-3 engagements.
• Lewis Longman & Walker: Florida-based boutique law firm focused on environmental, construction, and government law with a strong Tallahassee presence. Highly comparable to VLP in serving Florida construction and government clients with similar boutique-style specialized expertise.
• Smith, Currie & Hancock: National construction law firm with deep bench in construction litigation, surety, and government contracts. Comparable to VLP because it serves a similar base of GCs, subcontractors, and sureties on complex construction disputes, and competes for the same Florida-based megaproject work despite being substantially larger.
• Wicker Smith O'Hara McCoy & Ford: Florida-based litigation firm with a recognized construction practice serving contractors and sureties. Comparable to VLP in construction litigation work, particularly in South Florida, and competes for similar GC and subcontractor clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VLP Copenhaver Espino