Ian DeMello is a Partner at Shubin Law Group who leads zoning and entitlement matters, drawing on his litigation background to advise clients on risk avoidance and dispute resolution strategies. He represents developers, property owners, and municipalities in land use, zoning, and real estate development disputes, with a particular focus on issues that have become increasingly significant since the passage of the Live Local Act and its subsequent glitch bills.

Ian regularly counsels clients on Live Local Act due diligence and development strategies, educational facility growth and master planning for school boards, the impacts of state preemption and municipal zoning regulations such as SB 180, and shoreline review and regulation in Miami-Dade County. He also has deep experience with statutory dispute resolution processes, including the Florida Land Use Environmental Dispute Resolution Act and the Florida Governmental Conflict Resolution Act. 

Ian’s perspective is informed by prior clerkships as a Judicial Fellow for the Honorable Robert N. Scola of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and as a Law Clerk in the Office of the City Attorney for the City of Coral Gables, experiences that gave him insight into both the federal judiciary and municipal government.

Before joining the firm, he worked in Washington, D.C., representing public- and private-sector clients on business, legislative, and policy goals before Congress and the Executive Branch.

  • Represented Miami-based Terra in successful site plan approval to redevelop oceanfront hotel into luxury residential tower and secured approvals for a commercial development and padel facility in Key Biscayne.
  • Represented Miami-based Fortune International Group in obtaining site plan approvals for the development of a luxury condominium in Sunny Isles Beach.
  • Lead counsel representing Bal Harbour Shops in high-profile litigation against a local municipality challenging the denial of a Live Local Act application.
  • Representing Bal Harbour Shops in land use, zoning, and dispute resolution matters.
  • Representation of Fort Partners on land use and zoning matters and site plan approvals for various projects in the Town of Surfside.
  • Represented client in historic designation issues for redevelopment property in Miami Beach.
  • Represented Miami Freedom Park, LLC in an appeal challenging the City of Miami’s approval of agreements for the development of a new soccer stadium and mixed-use project. The Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s ruling in favor of the City and Miami Freedom Park, allowing the project to move forward.
  • -Represented the Village of Key Biscayne in an appeal arising from a dispute with the City of Miami over the construction and permitting of floating boat docks near the Rickenbacker Causeway.

  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, University of Miami Business Law Review, 2013
  • American University, M.A., International Affairs and Foreign Policy Studies, 2006
  • American University, B.A., International Relations and Affairs, 2004

  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Notable Attorney, Real Estate / Land Use, 2025
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Land Use/Zoning, 2018–2023

  • United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • Florida