April 30, 2026
GrayRobinson today announced Shareholder Eric Yesner has partnered with America First Legal (AFL) to file an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in CAIR Foundation, et al. v. Ronald DeSantis. The brief urges the court to reverse a district court order blocking Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 25-244, which classified the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a terrorist organization under Florida law.
The brief argues that the district court misapplied foundational standing principles by allowing CAIR's lawsuit to proceed despite the organization's failure to show its alleged injuries were caused by Governor DeSantis rather than by independent decisions of third parties. It further warns that the ruling threatens the separation of powers by allowing courts to second-guess core executive determinations regarding the health, safety, and welfare of state residents – decisions that fall squarely within the executive's purview and deserve substantial deference.
Based in the Fort Lauderdale office, Eric focuses his practice on appellate advocacy, government and administrative litigation, and election law. He represents state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and policy think tanks in state and federal courts, handling complex appeals, dispositive motions, and evidentiary arguments at both the trial and appellate levels. Before entering private practice, Eric clerked for judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and Florida's 4th District Court of Appeal. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America as "Ones to Watch" in Appellate Practice and Health Care Law and by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star from 2022 to 2025. In December 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed him to the 17th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, where he serves as vice chair.
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