Real Property Litigation | Eminent Domain | 727-327-1675

About D. Tobyn DeYoung, Esq.

A CAREER DEVOTED TO
PROTECTING
FLORIDA’S PROPERTY OWNERS

D. Tobyn DeYoung is a native Floridian who has over two decades of experience in the field of Eminent Domain and property rights.  His love for and roots to property and property rights run deep.  His dad was a State Legislator in the 1960’s, before starting his real estate business in Palm Beach County.  His dad counseled him to go into the real estate business, so Tobyn studied real estate at the Florida State University.  He went into the real estate business as a real estate appraiser specializing in eminent domain valuation in the 1980’s.  From there, he went on to law school to become a property rights attorney.

Today, Tobyn is an “AV” rated Property Rights trial lawyer who has an impressive track record.  (The AV rating is awarded to attorneys with the Highest Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards).   After beginning his legal career at Carlton Fields, he went to work for the Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Eminent Domain, where he represented the Florida Department of Transportation in eminent domain cases.  From there, he teamed up with Marc I. Sachs, Esq., with whom he worked and was a partner for over 12 years.  He now owns his own firm in Tampa.

Tobyn has handled over a thousand eminent domain and inverse condemnation cases involving all types of property, including, Roads, Retention and Detention Ponds, Reservoirs, Power Lines, Gas Lines, Water Lines, Conservation and Wetland Areas,  Parks, Airport Projects, Flooding Cases, Easement Takings, Loss of Access cases, and Physical Invasion cases, among many others.  He has represented businesses, both large and small, corporate property owners, and small “mom and pop” operations.

In recent years, in addition to his Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation practice, Tobyn has been representing and protecting property owners in  foreclosure cases against Lenders and servicers, including, Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, …

“I have dedicated my entire career to the protection of private property rights in the State of Florida.  Whether it involves litigation against a governmental agency that has taken private property or otherwise interfered with private property rights, or litigation against a Lender or servicer attempting to take away someone’s home, I have always been a champion of the apparent underdog.  You CAN fight city hall.  You CAN protect your home and your rights, even if you are legitimately in default on your Note and Mortgage. Don’t you dare to allow yourself to be bullied by the government or your Lender.  Not on my watch”.

Date of Birth:
West Palm Beach, Florida.
 
Education:
Florida State University (B.S., 1988); Stetson University (J.D., cum laude, 1993); Admitted to bar, 1994, Florida and U. S. District Court, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida.

Professional History:

  • D. Tobyn DeYoung, P.A./DeYoung Law Group (2009-Present);
  • Sachs DeYoung, (1997-2009);
  • Office of the Attorney General (1997), Assistant Attorney General, Bureau of Eminent Domain;
  • Carlton, Fields, Ward, Emmanuel, Smith & Cutler, P.A. (1994 - 1997), eminent domain, and real property and commercial litigation;
  • Calhoun & Associates, Inc. (1988 - 1991), real estate appraisers specializing in eminent domain valuations.

Professional Honors:

  • AV Preeminent Rated- Marindale Hubbell (Highest Rating Possible in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards);
  • "The Best Lawyers in America" - 2005 - 2011;
  • "Tampa Bay’s Top Lawyers" - Peer Rated, 2008 - 2011.

 Author/Lecturer:

  • Author - Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure Manual, 8th Edition, The Florida Bar (2012 - not yet published); 7th Edition, The Florida Bar (2008) and (2010 Supp.); 6th Edition, The Florida Bar (2003), and (2006 Supp.); 5th Edition, The Florida Bar (2000 Supp.) - "Order of Taking", Chapter 7;
  • Contributing Author, Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure Manual, 5th Edition, The Florida Bar (1996) - "Post Trial Procedure", Chapter 12;
  • Lecturer - "Using Exhibits to Prove Your Case", Association  of Eminent Domain Professionals (October 2000); "Taking of Property by Eminent Domain, "National Business Institute - Land Use Planning and Eminent Domain in Florida Seminar (October 1997)

 

Member:

  • Admitted to Bar, Florida and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • The Florida Bar (Member: Eminent Domain Committee 1996-present, City, County and Local Government Law Section 1995-present);
  • Palm Beach and Hillsborough County Bar Association (Member: Eminent Domain Committee HCBA, 1997-present).