Patricia A. Petruff

Patricia's practice focuses primarily on obtaining land use and environmental permits from local governments and state agencies so that property owners can develop their land. The type of permits typically required from local governments range from site plan approvals, rezonings, dock permits, building permits, special exceptions and variances. The type of approvals required from regional, state and federal agencies include wetland impact permits, environmental resource permits, well permits, endangered species management plans and air permits. She has specialized in this area for over 45 years and is certified by the Florida Bar in City, County and Local Government Law. 

During her career, she has represented a number of large projects which the state categorizes as development of regional impacts. Patricia has also served on numerous committees and task forces whose responsibility was to review revisions to land development codes and comprehensive plans.
In the local governmental law arena, the task of the lawyer is to assist a client with achieving the highest and best use of his property while complying with the applicable codes, ordinances and rules. Typically, Patricia works closely with the owner's engineers, architects and planners to ensure that the project moves forward with no delays. Many applications for use of property require public hearings before elected officials and governing boards. Patricia makes presentations before these entities and prepares expert witnesses to testify before these boards.

In 2014, Patricia received the William C. Grimes Award from the Manatee County Bar Association for Lifetime Achievement in Community Service.