Construction Law

WHO WE ARE

Challenging ourselves to bring new and original ways of thinking

Our Construction Law practice offers comprehensive legal services to a wide range of clients in the construction industry, including developers, contractors, subcontractors, homebuilders, design professionals, and other stakeholders. We provide expert guidance throughout the lifecycle of construction projects, from initial contract negotiations to resolving disputes and ensuring compliance with relevant laws.


Our services cover the full spectrum of construction-related legal issues, including drafting and reviewing contracts; advising on building code requirements; handling delays; managing claims for breach of contract and defects; and representing clients in disputes and litigation. We also specialize in construction liens, helping homeowners, contractors, and subcontractors navigate the legal processes involved in filing, foreclosing, or defending against liens. Whether you're managing a residential renovation, a commercial development, or facing issues with unpaid work, our legal team is here to vigorously protect your interests. Our group has the experience you need to secure a favorable outcome in any stage of your construction case including mediation, arbitration, and trial. 

LOCAL TEAM. WORLD CLASS RESULTS.


Cristen H. Martinez, ESQ.
Founding Partner & CEO
Cristen is a cum laude graduate of Florida State University, and received her juris doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in 2010. While at Stetson University College of Law, Cristen served as a Notes and Comments Editor for the Stetson Law Review. Prior to opening her own practice, Ms. Martinez served as a intern to the Honorable Cheryl Thomas in Tampa, Florida. She also gained extensive knowledge and experience in real estate and general civil matters while working at statewide law firms, Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel, & Burns, LLP, GrayRobinson, and Broad and Cassel.

Cristen is a admitted to practice law throughout the State of Florida and is a member of the United States Supreme Court and Middle District of Florida Federal Court. Cristen has served on the Board of Directors and is the Past-President of Women Lawyers of Pasco and is a standing Board Member of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Cristen also hosts a monthly legal roundtable titled Get Real with Attorney Martinez.

Cristen has litigated cases for clients ranging from multi-million dollar corporations to individual homeowners. Her experience in the large law firm setting has given her a perspective and skill set that very few solo practitioners possess. She is therefore able to offer her clients the expert legal advice one would expect from a large law firm, while providing the personal attention and service her clients deserve. Cristen specializes in transactional real estate matters and real estate litigation.  

Cristen resides in Tampa, Florida with her husband, daughter, step daughter, and three dogs.

Stephanie Gibson
Chief Operating Officer
Stephanie is a Certified Public Accountant with over ten years of experience, and is excited to bring her knowledge of accounting, business and project management to Martinez Law. She graduated from Florida State University with a Master of Accountancy degree. While at Florida State University, Stephanie was a member of the All-Girl Cheerleading team while gaining experience as an assistant accountant with Mitchell and Company. Prior to joining the team, Stephanie worked as a financial reporting manager at Transamerica and as an audit manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers where she managed a team over financial reporting and oversight duties. These duties included management of an audit from start to finish including client relations, oversight and review in the production of fund financial statements and SEC filings, valuation of hard to price investment securities as well as review and approval of fund budgets. Stephanie resides in Lutz, FL with her husband and two children.

Stephanie’s involvement in community service includes working with the United Way participating in community clean up projects and Junior Achievement as a JA Be Entrepreneurial volunteer.


Tiffani Thornton
Associate Attorney
Tiffani is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, and received her Juris Doctor with honors from Stetson University College of Law in 2019 where she completed the program early and ranked number two in her graduating class. Tiffani is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and a longtime resident of Tampa Bay with an understanding of its unique small business community. At nineteen, she started her mother’s senior care business and worked there while attending college and law school.  

While a student at USF St. Petersburg, Tiffani gained an interest in real estate law by working as a Legal Assistant for a firm in St. Petersburg that represented Homeowner and Condominium Associations. At Stetson University College of Law, Tiffani was a member of the university’s award-winning Moot Court Board focusing on appellate advocacy and a frequent attendee of the Florida Bar Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section conferences, observing committee meetings as members proposed legislative changes and revised statewide standards for practitioners. Tiffani also worked as a Law Clerk for a civil and criminal defense law firm where she gained experience working on a variety of real estate, property, and probate matters. Prior to joining Martinez Law, Tiffani served as an Assistant Attorney General in Tampa, Florida representing the Florida Department of Children and Families. 

Tiffani resides in Riverview with her mini-yorkie and family in a lively multi-generational household. 
Kendelle Knapp — Girl Wearing Violet Shirt in Wesley Chapel, FL
Xhevaire McCool
Office Manager
Xhevaire received her B.A. in International Business from St. Petersburg College. She began her career in banking as Teller Manager with Wachovia Bank N.A. (now known as Wells Fargo). She then moved her customer service talents and financial skills into the world of Property Management. She started with Camden Development and then moved to develop her career with Cortland during a property acquisition. She excelled through her career starting as a Leasing Consultant to becoming a Senior Community Manager for the largest asset owned in the Florida portfolio. Her daily responsibilities included managing all the financials for the asset, managing a team of over 20 individuals, handling any resident community concerns, and ensuring the esthetics of the community were maintained daily. She was also a Peer Coach and trained new incoming Community Managers for Cortland in the state of Florida. 

Xhevaire resides in Lutz, FL with her husband and daughter. 

Xhevaire loves to participate with Metropolitan Ministries food & toy drives every year and as well as adopting a family during the holiday season. She loves being able to volunteer for these great organizations as they allow her to involve her daughter, which helps to expand her exposure to our local community. 
Kendelle Knapp — Girl Wearing Violet Shirt in Wesley Chapel, FL
Kendelle Knapp
Law Clerk
Kendelle graduated from Webber International University in Lake Wales, Florida, with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management and Business Administration. While attending Webber International University, she played on the Women’s Soccer Team and served as the captain of the team for the 2018 season. Ms. Knapp was also a part of the American Criminal Justice Association and the Student Life Activities Board. She also had the honor of being on the Dean’s List.

Kendelle completed an internship at Gissendanner Law Firm, a criminal defense firm, in Sebring, Florida, where she attended hearings, arraignments and pre-trial conferences, prepared case files, and assisted Attorney Gissendanner with any office management. Kendelle also completed an internship with Martinez Law in 2018 and is currently a law clerk for the firm.

Kendelle is entering her third year of law school at Florida State University. She currently serves as the President of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law society student organization. She is also the Administrative Editor for the Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law. She will be graduating in May of 2022 and will sit for the Florida Bar Exam in July of 2022.
Kendelle Knapp — Girl Wearing Violet Shirt in Wesley Chapel, FL
Alexis Castillo
Marketing Director
Alexis is a second year Marketing and Economics student on the Pre-Law track at the University of Florida. In the summer of 2019, she was a Legal Intern for Martinez Law. During her time, she shadowed court appearances, drafted deposition and mediation statements, prepared trial binders, and performed clerical duties. In the summer of 2021, she took on the role as Martinez Law’s Marketing Director.

At the University of Florida, Alexis is an involved member within the Alpha Chi Omega sorority where she helps the chapter with providing academic resources. She is also a member of the Florida Leadership Academy in which she learns from business speakers on how to network, perform in a case competition, and grow as a leader. The academy is exclusively for the top 100 sophomores in the Warrington School of Business. The Pre-Legal Honor Society is another involvement in which she hears from speakers in the legal field and refines legal skills. She is planning on attending law school after completing her undergraduate degree in the University of Florida in Spring of 2024.  

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