Summer E. DeGel Attorney At Law

Summer is of counsel in GrayRobinson’s Orlando office. She focuses her practice in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, real estate litigation, and property rights. Summer has worked with hundreds of property owners on utility projects, such as natural gas pipelines and power lines (including high-voltage transmission and distribution lines) in both federal and state courts. Summer also works with property owners on all types of road projects and retention ponds.Recently, Summer provided invaluable assistance in representing a large shopping center being condemned at an interchange - one of the largest eminent domain valuations in the State of Florida’s history.

Summer also serves as counsel for select condemning authorities. Representing both property owners and condemning authorities has allowed Summer to understand the prospective of both sides to better assist her clients. 

Prior to joining GrayRobinson, Summer was a law clerk for the Honorable Richard L. Young who was the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana. She also served as a law clerk at two firms in Florida. 

• Background

  Summer grew up in southwest Indiana. She graduated Indiana University with her BA in Political Science, Spanish, and History.  She then moved to Miami Florida to attend the University of Miami School of Law. She graduated law school in the top 3% of her class. Prior to joining GrayRobinson, Summer was a law clerk for the Honorable Richard L. Young who was the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana. She also served as a law clerk at two firms in Florida.  

  Summer lives in Orlando with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She is an active member of the Ronald McDonald House of Central Florida Key Initiative Committee, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, and serves on the Park Lake Presbyterian Child Care Center Board. 

• Education
  • Indiana University, B.A. political science, Spanish, history (2010)
    • Dean’s list
    • Phi Mu Fraternity, President
    • Court Appointed Special Advocate
  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D. (summa cum laude, 2013)
    • Graduated Top 3% of Class
    • Order of the Coif
    • Dean’s List
    • Paul B. Anton Scholarship Recipient
    • Academic Excellence Award for Substantive Criminal Law
    • Writing Dean’s Fellow for Academic Achievement Program
    • Inter-American Law Review, Symposium Editor 
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• Professional Associations and Memberships
  • The Florida Bar
  • American Bar Association
  • Orange County Bar Association
    • Young Lawyers Division
  • LEAD Forward Woman’s Leadership Group Alumna, 2019-2020 
• Awards and Recognitions
  • Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2021-2025
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
• Articles and Publications
  • "Crossroads Center Near Disney Reaches Historic $198 Million Eminent Domain Settlement with State," Orlando Sentinel, January 21, 2021
  • Co-author, Chapter 6, Procedural and Substantive Defenses and Defensive Pleadings, Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure, Twelfth Edition
• Presentations and Seminars
  • "Crossroads," Eminent Domain Institute 25th Annual Conference, November 8, 2021
  • Successful Pre-suit Settlements, February 2020
  • Federal Courts, Eminent Domain, and Natural Gas Pipeline Presentation, November 2017
  
  
• Civic
  • Ronald McDonald House of Central Florida, Key Initiative Committee
  • Park Lake Presbyterian Child Care Center, Board Member
  • St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Member