Partner
Gary I. Masel is an experienced litigator and focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and contractual disputes, construction and real estate matters, as well as, related regulatory issues. Mr. Masel is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV Preeminent® Peer Review rated attorney for the highest level of Professional Excellence. He has also received the AV Preeminent® Judicial Edition Award, which is especially noteworthy, because it is based on the confidential opinions and recommendation of members of the Bar and Judiciary familiar with Mr. Masel as a practicing attorney.
Mr. Masel practices in state and federal courts and represents financial institutions, public self-storage companies and private entities in consumer and commercial disputes. He is particularly adept at working with financial institutions, whether defending against lender liability claims or handling complex litigation, including lender liability defense, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) litigation, replevins, body repair shop and mechanic’s lien disputes and related bond suits, judgment collection matters, proceedings supplementary, and associated actions. Mr. Masel also handles significant transactional matters including, but not limited to, multi-million dollar loan and note sales, short sales, and environmental risk and CERCLA analysis assessments.
Prior to joining EM³, Mr. Masel was a partner in a prominent national law firm where he also successfully defended Fortune 500 companies in premise liability and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) litigation. He has also represented a large national retail chain in multi-state litigation concerning a construction contract dispute involving a nationwide general contractor and over thirty individual subcontractor claims. Mr. Masel managed the matter from initial defense of the litigation, through the global mediation process, and through the drafting of the subsequent settlement agreements.
Since 2001, Mr. Masel has held a Private Pilot’s License for the operation of single-engine aircraft. In that same year, Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton commissioned Mr. Masel as a Kentucky Colonel and he has been a proud member of the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels charitable organization ever since.
Mr. Masel is admitted to practice in Florida and Kentucky.