Bio
Suzanne J. DeCopain focuses her practice on general civil litigation and affordable and public housing matters. She represents housing authorities across Florida, providing comprehensive guidance and training on issues involving landlord-tenant relations; state, federal, and HUD regulations, policies, and compliance; Fair Housing Act and ADA/Section 504 requirements; Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law; and public records law.
Suzanne has been featured as a speaker at several industry and professional events, including Florida’s LeadingAge Annual Conference, Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association’s Affordable Housing Conference: Florida, and the Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (FAHRO) Annual Conference.
Prior Experience
Before joining DarrowEverett, Suzanne served as an assistant state attorney for Florida’s Twentieth Judicial Circuit, where she developed extensive jury and bench trial experience. She later practiced law representing housing authorities and providing legal advice and training on landlord-tenant matters and the complex framework of state, federal, and HUD laws and regulations. During this time, she also expanded her practice to include insurance defense and employment law.
Accolades
- Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch (2023)
- Super Lawyers – Rising Stars (2018-2019)
Practice Areas
- Public, Affordable & Worforce Housing
- Civil Litigation
- Labor & Employment
Bar Admissions
- Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Education
- Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D.
- Florida Gulf Coast University, B.A.
Involvement
- The Florida Bar
- Hillsborough (Fla.) County Bar Association
- Bay Area Apartment Association
- American Inns of Court (Tampa Bay Inn of Court)
- Florida Gulf Coast University Alumni Association, Board of Directors
- George Edgecomb Bar Association (Community Action Chair, 2015-2022; Young Lawyer Award, 2019; Secretary, 2014-2015)
- National Black Prosecutors Association, 2020-2022
- Journey to Esquire, Board member, 2019-2021
- Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association, 2012-2013
- Isaac Anderson Jr. Bar Association, 2009-2011