David A. Zulian is a graduate of Emory University (B.A., 1983) and received his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law (J.D., 1987). He was formerly associated with and a partner in the law firm of Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A. In 2001, Mr. Zulian joined Cheffy Passidomo as a shareholder and principal.
Mr. Zulian is certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in Construction Law. He is an experienced trial lawyer who concentrates his practice in the areas of construction, real estate and commercial litigation. His client base is diverse and includes the representation of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, subcontractors, general contractors, developers, design professionals, owners, lenders, mortgage brokers, real estate brokers, condominium associations, mobile home associations and homeowners associations.
Mr. Zulian has extensive experience in dealing with cases involving construction defects, Florida’s Construction Lien Law (Chapter 713) and Florida’s Public Bond Law (Chapter 255). In 1995, he was the first attorney in the State of Florida to successfully try and appeal a case involving Florida’s Prompt Payment Law in connection with a public project. More recently, Mr. Zulian was one of the lead trial and appellate attorneys for the prevailing homeowner in a case involving construction defects and storm damage. In Sebo v. Am. Home Assurance Co., Inc., 208 So.3d 694 (Fla. 2016), the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the lower court decision and formally adopted the concurrent causation doctrine as it relates to the determination of coverage for damage under a first-party all-risk insurance policy caused by multiple perils of construction defects (excluded) and water intrusion during a rainstorm (covered).
In addition, Mr. Zulian has lectured in the areas of construction and commercial law. Mr. Zulian is a member of The Florida Bar, the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Florida, and the Middle District of Florida, the Collier County Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the St. Petersburg Bar Association. In 1989, he became certified as a court arbitrator by the Florida Dispute Resolution Center.
Mr. Zulian currently serves as the Chair of the Membership Subcommittee and the Chair of the “Contractor’s University” Subcommittee of the Construction Law Committee (CLC) of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section (RPPTL) of The Florida Bar. He is also currently a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Florida Gulf Coast Chapter (ABC).
Mr. Zulian was formally an Officer and the President of the American Concrete Institute Florida Suncoast Chapter (ACI), Florida Gulf Chapter. Also, Mr. Zulian was formerly an Officer of the Broward Roofing Contractors Association, Inc. and was the Co-Chairman of the Jim Dent Naples Golf Classic to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He was also formerly the Chairman of the Major Emphasis Committee of the Wilton Manors Kiwanis Club, and was a member of the Board of Adjustments of the City of Wilton Manors.
