David Childs
David Childs practices primarily in the areas of Electric and Water Utilities, Environment and Natural Resources, Land Use, and State and Local government.
David Childs is a lawyer, lobbyist and an engineer. He helps a range of sophisticated clients solve government-related problems and achieve business objectives. Often, the solutions involve successful modifications to Florida statutes and regulations. Other times, it consists of supporting budgetary items critical to a client’s interests or helping clients identify and pursue procurement opportunities. Over the past 20 years, David has earned a reputation for forthrightness and an in-depth understanding of water resource and energy policy, the legislative appropriations process, and administrative procedures.
David drafted and helped pass significant state legislation, including springs restoration (SB 1228, 2025), reuse of phosphogypsum (HB 1191, 2023), essential state infrastructure (SB 7018, 2020), transmission line siting (HB 405, 2018), administrative procedures (HB 183, 2016), and water quality credit trading (HB 713, 2013). He is also engaged in the legislative appropriations process and has helped clients secure millions in appropriated funds.
David maintains deep relationships in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He has shaped environmental regulatory programs that affect community developers, large landowners, and water utilities, including potable reuse, collection system asset management, numeric nutrient criteria, and biosolids application.
Education and Background
David earned his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law in 2005 and his B.S. in Biological Engineering from Mississippi State University in 2001. Governors Crist and Scott appointed David to the Florida Boating Advisory Council. He was also selected to Leadership Florida Class 35 and subsequently served as general counsel to the state’s premier leadership organization. He was recently selected as among the “Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law” and was Florida Politics’ Environmental Lobbyist of the Year in 2019.
