Overview

"Nobody in the legal field in Tampa Bay knows land use better than Ed Armstrong." Client quote, Chambers USA

Ed regularly represents national and local developers, public and private, with interests in the Tampa Bay area. Ed often serves as local general counsel to these clients. He also represents several high-profile clients who have significant interactions with local governments. He is based in the firm’s Clearwater office.

In 2014, Governor Rick Scott appointed Ed to the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board where he served until 2019. He was also appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2020 and reappointed in 2022 for the balance of the four-year term. Ed also served on the Board of Trustees for BayCare Health System for 15 years. He served as chair of the BayCare Medical Group from 2017 – 2019, chaired the Finance Committee, and currently serves on the Investment Committee.   

Ed was named to the 2018 Florida 500 by Florida Trend magazine as one of the state's most influential Floridians. He was ranked in Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in the field of Zoning and Land Use law in Florida from 2014-2024. 

Outside the office, Ed enjoys playing golf.

Honors

  • AV Preeminent® Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyer, Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use (2014-2024)
  • Florida Trend Florida 500 (2018)
  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2018-2025)
    • 2025 Tampa Land Use and Zoning Law Lawyer of the Year
    • 2023 Tampa Land Use and Zoning Law Lawyer of the Year

        

Credentials & Experience

Education

University of Maryland, B.S., 1979, cum laude

Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 1982

Bar Admissions

American Bar Association

The Florida Bar

Hillsborough County Bar Association

Clearwater Bar Association

Experience

Representative projects include:

  • Obtained approval of a 400 unit luxury apartment project on a sensitive parcel of land with unusual complexities including intense citizen opposition, upheld on first and second tier appeals.
  • Obtaining the development approval of several of the largest and most expensive resort, hotel and residential properties along the Pinellas coastline.
  • The $200 million expansion and upgrading of a large hospital.
  • Obtaining the development approval of a 300,000 square foot Corporate Headquarters.
  • The representation of Pinellas County’s private ambulance service provider.

Professional & Civic

Community & Professional

  • Southwest Florida Water Management District - Governing Board: Chair 
  • BayCare Health System
    • Member, Investment Committee 
    • Past Member, Board of Trustees
    • Past Member, Finance Committee
  • Bank of Tampa - Pinellas County Advisory Board
  • Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce
    • Mr. Clearwater (2014)
    • Board Chairman (2000)
  • Morton Plant Mease Healthcare System: Board Chairman (2010-2012)
  • Tampa Preparatory School: Former Trustee

Newsroom

News & Insights

Noteworthy

Chambers USA ranks the leading lawyers and law firms across the USA. Legal rankings are based on in-depth market analysis and independent research, conducted by an experienced team of researchers. Individual lawyers are ranked in their practice area(s) based on legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness and client service.

“Ed has a long history of providing outstanding counsel.” Client quote, Chambers USA 2024

"Nobody in the legal field in Tampa Bay knows land use better than Ed Armstrong." Client quote, Chambers USA 2023

"He's a consummate professional who always provides sound and prudent guidance." Client quote, Chambers USA 2021

"He went to great lengths to help us navigate a process and ultimately achieve our desired outcome." Client quote, Chambers USA 2021

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