Atty. Mark S. Bentley

Atty. Mark S. Bentley

Board Certified City, County and Local Government Law Lawyer, The Florida Bar, Board of Legal Specialization and Education. Certified Planner by the American Planning Association (AICP).

Tampa Tampa 39 yrs experience 39 year
Call (656) 231-4862 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Mark S. Bentley at a glance

Mark S. Bentley is a Partner based in Tampa, Florida, practicing at Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP. They have 39+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1987. Their practice focuses on zoning, government, and adr. Admitted to practice in Florida (1987). Educated at Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 1987) and University of Florida (B.A. Political, 1980). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Tampa, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Board Certified City, County and Local Government Law Lawyer, The Florida Bar, Board of Legal Specialization and Education
  • Certified Planner by the American Planning Association (AICP)

Author

  • "Understanding the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act," 37 Stetson Law Review 381, 2008
  • "Recent Developments in the Law," 16 Stetson Law Review 979, 1987
  • "Zoning For Land Users and Not Land Use," 16 Stetson Law Review 165, 1986

Associate Editor

Stetson Law Review, 1986-1987

Selected

  • Florida Super Lawyer, 2008-2009
  • Adjunct Professor, University of South Florida's Urban and Regional Planning Master's Degree Program
  • Amicus Curiae Committee, American Planning Association, 2007-2009

Member

  • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
  • American Planning Association (APA)
  • Association of Eminent Domain Professionals (AEDP)
  • Florida Planning & Zoning Association (FPZA)

Articles

  • "Florida Legislature Grants Free View Easements to Billboard Companies," Real Estate Finance, October 2006
  • "Hurricane Kelo Hits Florida," Association of Eminent Domain Professionals Newsletter, May 2006 and The Florida Bar City, County and Local Government Law's Newsletter, The Agenda, September 2006
  • "Rent Cap on Dealers is Not a Taking," Petrogram, Summer 2006
  • "So Long Amortization, Hello Compensation: A Victory for Property Rights," AEDP Newsletter, Spring 2002 and The Florida Bar Eminent Domain Newsletter, June 2002
  • "Prerequisites To The Lawful Exercise of Eminent Domain in a Community Redevelopment Area," HCBA Lawyer, February 2002
  • "Home Rule - But At What Cost?
  • Tampa Bay Business Journal, April 1999
  • "Reasonable Probability or Unreasonable Speculation?," HCBA Lawyer, November 1999
  • "Growth Management Meets Eminent Domain," HCBA Lawyer, April 1997

Co-Author

Chapter entitled, "Authority to Exercise Power," Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure Manual, Fifth Edition (1996), Sixth Edition (2003), The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education

Speaker

  • "Noise Regulation in Florida," presented at the City, County and Local Government Law Section's 26th Annual Local Government Law in Florida Seminar, Bonita Springs, Florida, May 2006
  • "Challenges to Rezoning, Variance, and Development Denials - What Works and How to Avoid Lengthy, Costly Disappointments," presented at the CLE International's Seminar on Regulatory Takings - Facing the Challenges and Knowing the Remedies, Tampa, Florida, March 2006
  • "Litigating the Nuisance Violation Case," presented at the CLE International's Second Annual Conference on Litigating Land Use Disputes, Tampa, Florida, December 2005
  • "The Reasonable Probability Doctrine Under Florida Eminent Domain Law," presented at the CLE International's Sixth Annual Eminent Domain Super Conference, Tampa, Florida, October 2002
  • "Uncertainties of the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act," presented at the CLE International's Resolving Land Use Disputes Seminar, Tampa, Florida, January 2002
  • Special Master, Resolution of Land Use Disputes
  • Instructor, Florida Chapter, Sun Coast Section of the American Planning Association's Annual AICP Exam Preparation Course, 1998-2009
  • Secretary and Member, Board of Directors, Central Park Village Youth Services, Inc. Past Chairman, Board of Directors, Ybor City Development Corporation

Honors

  • Charles A. Dana Scholar
  • Distinguished Service Award, presented by the Florida Chapter, Sun Coast Section of the American Planning Association, 2006

Practice Areas Explained

Mark S. Bentley's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Mark S. Bentley handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Land Use & Zoning

Mark S. Bentley is one of 40,226 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Florida →

Government & Administrative Law

Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.

Mark S. Bentley is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Florida →

Mediation & Arbitration

Mediators and arbitrators for civil, commercial, family, and employment dispute resolution.

Mark S. Bentley is one of 73,906 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr attorneys in Florida →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Florida

Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Tampa are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Tampa or all attorneys in Florida.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Mark S. Bentley

Where is Mark S. Bentley's law office located?
Mark S. Bentley's law practice is located in Tampa, Florida. The firm is Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Mark S. Bentley handle?
Mark S. Bentley focuses on zoning, government, adr. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Florida.
How long has Mark S. Bentley practiced law?
Mark S. Bentley has 39+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1987.
Where did Mark S. Bentley go to law school?
Mark S. Bentley earned their education at (J.D., 1987); (B.A. Political, 1980).
How can I contact Mark S. Bentley for a consultation?
You can contact Mark S. Bentley directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Mark S. Bentley received?
Mark S. Bentley's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
Stetson University College of Law
- 1987
B.A. Political
University of Florida
- 1980

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Florida
Admitted: 1987

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