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Melissa Tapanes Llahues has made her mark not only in the legal profession but also in the Greater Miami community.
A respected zoning and land use attorney and civic leader, Tapanes Llahues became a named partner at Bercow, Radell, Fernandez, Larkin & Tapanes PLLC in 2020, where she represents major landowners, developers, institutional clients, and small business owners in securing complex approvals across all levels of government.
Now, Tapanes Llahues adds another milestone to her distinguished career as she was installed on May 9 as president of the Builders Association of South Florida (BASF), one of the region’s most influential industry organizations.
In attendance at the event at citizenM Miami Worldcenter was Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who swore in Tapanes Llahues; U.S. Congressman Carlos Gimenez, who recorded her achievement in the Congressional Record, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins.
BASF advocates for responsible growth, housing affordability, and sustainable development throughout South Florida, and Tapanes Llahues’ leadership is expected to bring renewed focus and energy to its mission.
“Throughout my career, one thing has always been clear — builders are doers. We don’t just imagine communities — we create them,” Tapanes Llahues said. “We lay the foundation for the American Dream.”
During the speech, she highlighted three areas of focus: expanding housing access, strengthening public-private partnerships, and telling the story of builders who embody resilience, grit, and leadership.
Melissa is known for her deep expertise in managing politically sensitive and high-stakes land use matters, including zoning, site planning, developments of regional impact, public-private partnerships, vested rights, development agreements, and historic preservation.
Her civic involvement runs just as deep. She serves on the board of directors of the Miami Downtown Development Authority, where she chairs the Urbanism Committee. She was elected chair of the City of Miami’s Miami 21 Report Ad Hoc Task Force, has chaired the Florida International University President’s Council, and served more than a decade on the board of directors of the Latin Builders Association.
In addition to her role with BASF, she remains active in legal and civic organizations, including Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (FAWL), and the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA).
Her accolades include the South Florida Business Journal’s 2017 “40 Under 40” Award, Ford Motor Company’s 2021 Mujeres Legendarias honor, and the Miami Dade Bar Association Circle of Excellence Award in 2023 for government relations.
Tapanes Llahues has been recognized as a “Recommended Attorney” by The Legal 500 every year since 2017, ranked in Chambers USA, and honored as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” and a Florida Trend Legal Elite “Up and Comer.”
A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law (JD, cum laude) and Florida International University Honors College (BA, magna cum laude), her public service began early. In 1999, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush appointed her to the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission, and she played a pivotal role as a student lobbyist in securing approval and funding for FIU’s public law school.
Now, as president of BASF, Tapanes Llahues continues to lead with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to shaping the future of Miami’s built environment and its communities.
“We have big challenges ahead — affordability, climate, mobility, regulation. But I believe in the power of this organization,” she said. “I believe in the expertise and dedication of our members. And I believe that if we work together as partners in progress, we can meet the moment.”
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