Elevate Legal Services, PLLC

Florida Yacht & Ship Broker License Compliance & DBPR Defense Guide

Florida Yacht & Ship Broker License Compliance & DBPR Defense Guide

Florida is home to one of the largest boating industries in the world. With its extensive coastline, thriving tourism, and luxury yacht market, yacht and ship brokers play a vital role in the state’s economy. But with opportunity comes responsibility. Florida law requires brokers and salespersons to hold valid licenses, comply with consumer protection rules, […]

Can You Appeal a Final Order? Introducing the Notice of Appeal under Rule 9.110(c)

Can You Appeal a Final Order? Introducing the Notice of Appeal under Rule 9.110(c)

When the Florida Department of Health (DOH) or one of its licensing boards issues a Final Order, the consequences can be devastating. For healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and occupational therapy assistants, a Final Order can mean the suspension or revocation of a license, costly fines, or long-term restrictions on professional practice. Careers, reputations, […]

Florida Alcoholic Beverage & Tobacco License Compliance & Defense Guide

Florida Alcoholic Beverage & Tobacco License Compliance & Defense Guide

Running a bar, restaurant, nightclub, or retail store in Florida that sells alcohol or tobacco products can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with strict regulatory requirements. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), through its Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT), oversees all licensing, compliance, and enforcement for alcohol and […]

Protect Your Professional License: Why a Declaratory Statement Could Be Your Best Defense

Protect Your Professional License: Why a Declaratory Statement Could Be Your Best Defense

For Florida’s healthcare professionals, holding a license is far more than a credential. It represents years of education, significant investment, and an unwavering commitment to patient care. Yet that same license can be put at risk with a single misstep, whether intentional or not. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) regulates hundreds of thousands of […]

Criminal Records, AHCA Exemptions, and DOH Licensure: A Two-Track Survival Guide

Florida Nurse Administrative Complaint

In Florida, healthcare workers operate under strict regulatory oversight. While these rules are designed to protect patients, they can also create serious challenges for professionals with a criminal record. A past mistake, even decades old, can jeopardize a career through disqualification by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) or disciplinary action by the Florida […]

Mitigating the Impact of an ERO: The Importance of a Timely Petition for Review

Mitigating the Impact of an ERO: The Importance of a Timely Petition for Review

Healthcare practitioners in Florida dedicate years to building a practice and reputation. When the Florida Department of Health (DOH) issues an Emergency Restriction Order (ERO), that career can change overnight. An ERO is an urgent, nonfinal order that restricts a licensee’s ability to practice when regulators believe there is an immediate serious danger to the […]

Permanently Disqualified By DCF? Here’s What Florida Professionals Must Do Next

Permanently Disqualified by DCF? Here’s What Florida Professionals Must Do Next

Receiving a letter from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) stating that you have been permanently disqualified can be devastating. For many professionals, this type of notification feels like the end of their career. Suddenly, the work you have invested years into building seems out of reach, and the prospect of future employment […]

Uniform Unlicensed Activity Citations in Florida: Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes

Uniform Unlicensed Activity Citations in Florida: Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes

Facing a Uniform Unlicensed Activity (ULA) citation from the Florida Department of Health can feel like a sudden blow to your reputation and practice. Medical professionals and licensees across Florida often find themselves alarmed when they receive an administrative citation, uncertain how to respond, and concerned about potential fines, disciplinary action, or criminal exposure. At […]

Florida Board of Medicine Disciplinary Actions: Navigating F.S. 458.331(1)(g)

Florida Board of Medicine Disciplinary Actions: Navigating F.S. 458.331(1)(g)

Facing an administrative complaint from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) can be a career-threatening event for any licensed medical doctor. If you’ve been served with a formal complaint alleging a violation of Florida Statute 458.331(1)(g), it is essential to understand what this means, how it can impact your license, and what legal options you […]

Florida DOH Complaint Defense: Protecting Your Medical License Under 458.327 & 456.065

Florida DOH Complaint Defense: Protecting Your Medical License Under 458.327 & 456.065

Medical doctors in Florida who face administrative complaints filed by the Department of Health under Florida Statutes 458.327(1)(a) or 456.065(2)(d) confront serious legal consequences. Understanding the nature of these allegations, the regulatory and disciplinary processes involved, and the resources available for defense can make the difference between preserving a medical license and enduring reputational, financial, […]