Professional Qualifications

Bar Admissions:

Florida and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (1999).
Missouri  (Inactive status).
Kansas  (Inactive status).



Professional Recognition:

Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America (2019 to present).

Florida Super Lawyer in Construction Litigation (2009-present).
Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida Supreme Court (2005-2025).
AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. 
First Prize Award of Achievement for Service to the Public, by the Young Lawyers Division of American Bar Association through the American Bar Endowment (1995).
Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year, Kansas Bar Association (1998).



Presentations:

"Construction Case Law Annual Update," Construction Law Committee of Hillsborough County Bar Association (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021).
"Florida Construction Laws, Rules and Liens" (Contractors Education Academy, 2006-2010).
"Florida Construction Lien Law," sponsored by the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (2005-2009).
"Introduction to Risk Allocation," given at Orlando regional program on "Construction Contracts," sponsored by the Forum on the Construction Industry (2008).
"Introduction to ConsensusDOCS," sponsored by the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (2008).
"Business Entities," sponsored by OMNI Financial Services (2005 and 2006).
"A101-CMa, A121-CMc, and B801/CMa Forms," given for Lorman Education Services seminar on "AIA Contracts in Florida" (2004).
"Construction Defects with Mold Damages," given for National Business Institute seminar on "Emerging Issues in Florida Indoor Air Quality and Toxic Mold Litigation" (2003).
"Practical Tips to Minimize Payment Risks," given at ABA Forum on the Construction Industry Annual Meeting (Scottsdale, AZ 2004).
"Mold:  Making Sense of the Verdicts and Articles," given for the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc." (2003).
"Considerations Prior to Award of Contract," given at Lorman Education Services  seminar on "Public Contract Code and Competitive Public Bidding in Florida (2002 and 2001).
"The Design Professional and Contract Theories of Liability," given at Lorman Education Services seminar on "Design Professional Liability" (2001).
"A Practical Approach to Defending the Construction Defect Case," given to Defense Research Institute (2000).
"School Law in Kansas," sponsored by the National Business Institute, Inc." (1995).
"Sexual Harassment in the Workplace:  Emerging Issues," sponsored by Lorman Education Services (1992).



Publications:

Contributing Author, THE Construction Contracts Book:  Annotated Analysis and Comparison of the AIA, ConsensusDocs, and EJCDC Contract Forms, (American Bar Association, 3rd edition, 2020), eds. Carrie Okizaki, R. Carson Fisk, and David A. Scotti (Chapters 29-33).

Contributing Author, THE Construction Contracts Book:  How to Find Common Ground in Negotiating Design and Construction Contract Clauses, (ABA Publishing 2004 and 2008 editions), eds. Daniel S. Brennan, Richard H. Lowe, Jennifer A. Nielsen, and John I. Spangler, III (Chapters 30-34).
"Spoliation of Evidence: An Overview and Practical Suggestions" (with Jesse L. Ray) 24 The Construction Lawyer 31 (ABA Publishing; Winter 2004).
"An Owners Implied Right to Coordinate," (with Michael F. Nuechterlein) 21 The Construction Lawyer 22 (ABA Publishing; Summer 2001).
"The Kansas Lawyer," Marketing Success Stories:  Personal Interview with 66 Rainmakers (ABA 1997).
"Landowners Beware:  The Current Status of Premises Liability in Kansas," 64 J. Kansas Bar Assoc. 20 (Jan. 1995).
"A Legislative Experiment in Rural Culture:  The Anti-Corporate Farming Statutes," 59 U.M.K.C. L.R. 679 (1991).


Professional Memberships:

Director, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (2008 - 2011).
       Chairman of the Chapter's Management Education Committee (2006-2009).
American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry.
The Florida Bar:  Construction Law Committee of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section.
Hillsborough County Bar Association:  Construction Law Committee.
Missouri Bar.
Kansas Bar:  President, Young Lawyers Section (1998-1999).

Education:

Duke University (M.A., 1989; J.D., 1989).
University of Kansas (B.A., with highest distinction, 1986).

        Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Theta.

Employment History:

Stayton Law Group, P.A.; Valrico, Florida (2010 to present).
Marlowe McNabb & Stayton, P.A.; Tampa, Florida (2005-2010).
Corless Stayton & Associates, LLP; Tampa, Florida (2004 to 2005).
Carlton Fields, P.A.; Tampa, Florida (1999-2004).
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin, LLP; Overland Park, Kansas (1995-1999).
Spencer Fane Britt & Browne, LLP; Overland Park, Kansas (1989-1995).