K. Denise Haire

Ms. Haire is an experienced attorney focusing on appellate, municipal, and litigation matters. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Ms. Haire earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt Law School in 2005. Prior to starting her own law practice, Ms. Haire worked in local government and at several prominent boutique and international law firms. Her diverse background allows her to understand the legal landscape from multiple vantage points, offering clients strategic, efficient, and practical solutions.

While serving as Assistant City Attorney for the City of West Palm Beach, Ms. Haire advised numerous boards and committees, including the Historic Preservation Board, Construction Board of Adjustment & Appeals, Plans & Plats Review Committee, and Downtown Action Committee. She provided legal counsel to municipal departments such as Development Services, Public Utilities, Code Enforcement, and Housing & Community Development. She has experience addressing the legal issues and challenges that uniquely impact local governments.

Ms. Haire has handled a wide variety of litigation and appellate cases across a broad spectrum of legal issues. She has represented local governments, developers, property owners, and other private entities, and she has extensive experience with motion practice, appellate briefing, and oral advocacy. In 2024, Ms. Haire received recognition in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite Notable Women Leaders in Law.

Ms. Haire is committed to her community. She currently serves as Chair of the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Local Government & Land Use Committee and is an active member of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. Her prior leadership roles include Chair of The Florida Bar Journal Editorial Board and service on The Florida Bar Law Related Education Committee.

Education

  • Vanderbilt Law School, J.D. 2005

  • University of Missouri – Columbia, B.A. 2002

Admissions

  • Florida Bar

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Leadership & Community Involvement

  • Palm Beach County Bar Association, Local & Government Land Use Committee

    • Chair: 2024-Present

    • Member: 2022-24

  • The Florida Bar Journal Editorial Board

    • Chair: 2016-17

    • Vice-Chair: 2015-16

    • Member: 2011-17

  • The Florida Bar Law Related Education Committee

    • Member: 2017-20

  • Vanderbilt Law School Alumni Admissions Interview Program

  • Florida Association for Women Lawyers

  • Forum Club of the Palm Beaches

  • Palm Beach County Bar Association

  • Florida Municipal Attorneys Association

 

Representative Matters

  • Obtained a favorable appellate decision holding that a municipality was entitled to dismissal of an action where the plaintiff failed to comply with the sovereign immunity statute’s pre-suit notice requirement.

  • Obtained a favorable opinion from the Florida Supreme Court holding that a city could not be compelled to enforce a zoning ordinance.

  • Successfully defended against a lawsuit challenging a local government entity’s approval of development orders and waivers, and secured a favorable outcome on appeal.

  • Resolved title issues to facilitate the redevelopment of a municipal golf course.

  • Successfully represented a municipality and obtained final summary judgment in an action challenging ordinances that created a new business district.

  • Obtained the dismissal of a petition for writ of certiorari challenging a city’s approval of an application for a planned residential development based upon lack of standing.

  • Successfully argued that a petition for writ of certiorari challenging a municipality’s passage of a rezoning ordinance must be dismissed.

  • Successfully argued that a complaint challenging local government approval of a site plan for a hotel must be dismissed due to the plaintiff’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies.