Katherine L. Klapsa

Katie Klapsa is a partner based in the Orlando and Miami offices of WSHB. She specializes in representing builders, developers and general contractors in a wide range of issues including complex litigation and appellate matters. Katie handles various disputes, including construction defect claims, contract disputes, insurance coverage issues and general liability defense. Her experience includes representing clients at all stages of litigation in the courtroom and in administrative forums and advises clients on construction licensing and has experience defending clients in licensing board enforcement actions.

Katie regularly advises firm clients on strategies to avoid or mitigate litigation risk and helps clients avoid disputes by providing creative contract drafting ideas that reward early resolution of disputes. She is also experienced in Alternative Dispute Resolution efforts, including mediations, settlement conferences, and non-binding arbitrations.

While in law school, Katie was selected to serve as a Dean’s Study Fellow and was a research assistant. She was also an associate editor of the Barry Law Review and later served on the executive board as a note and comment editor. In addition, Katie’s article, “Lawyers Bring Big Screen Drama To the Courtroom, How Popular Culture’s Influence on the Law has Created the Need for Professional Witnesses,” was selected for publication in the Spring 2013 edition of Barry’s Law Review. She also earned book awards for the highest achievement in the courses of Criminal Law, Contracts II, Property II, First Amendment, Trial Advocacy, and Intellectual Property and graduated magna cum laude.

Education

• Barry University School of Law (J.D., 2013)
• University of Central Florida (M.S.)
• University of Central Florida (B.S., 2006)

Licensed to Practice in

• Florida
• Texas

News

Events, Seminars & Speaking Engagements

• CLM Construction Conference Panel Presentation, "Coastal Catastrophes: Navigating Construction Risk and Responsibility" (September 2025)
• Perrin National Construction Defect Conference Panel Presentation, "Construction Defect Best Practices" (November 2024)
• CLM Construction Conference Panel Presentation, "Surf’s Up: Liability and Risk Implications of Building in Coastal Regions" (September 2024)
• CLM Annual Conference Panel Presentation, "Tort-ally Tubular: A State-by-State Analysis of 2023’s Tort Reform and Who Stands to Benefit" (April 2024)
• ExecuSummit 5th Annual Construction Defect Conference Panel Presentation, "The Coverage Corner: Update on EIFS, Continuous and Progressive Damages and the Texas Eight Corner’s Rule" (December 2022)

Publications

• Co-Author, "Ask the Expert: Florida Residential Construction Requirements," Construction Claims Magazine, Winter 2025

• Author, "Florida's New One-Year Builder Warranty: Statutory Scope, Insurance Limitations, and Strategic Risk Mitigation," WSHB Article, October 23, 2025

• Author, "Tariff Impacts on the Construction Industry," WSHB Article, April 28, 2025

Community Activities

• Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem
• Junior League
• Kappa Alpha Theta

Memberships

• National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)