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Real Estate

We have extensive experience in representing local governments, private investors, developers and lenders in all aspects of real estate transactions. On the public sector side, our Real Estate Group frequently represents municipalities in matters as basic as the leasing of space for governmental offices and transactions as complex as P3 joint ventures in the development of major public facilities, such as professional sports stadiums, town centers, hotels and senior housing facilities. We understand the unique issues in working with governmental entities, including the acquisition, financing and development of public lands. These issues may involve competitive bidding problems and unusual approval processes, such as public referenda and other matters unique to public property.

We also provide legal counsel to private clients such as in buying, selling, financing and leasing commercial property.

Acquisition and Disposition Transactions

Municipal

Representing local governments in real estate transactions is a core element of our practice. We have significant experience in negotiating and preparing purchase-and-sale agreements, with particular expertise in the structuring of complex transactions. We have been involved in some of the most notable and complex transactions in Florida, including the City of Boca Raton Blue Lake/IBM property acquisition, the re-development of the Homestead/Miami-Dade Motorsports Complex, and the Miramar Town Center project. We also serve as counsel to State agencies, including the FDOT, in their joint public/private development of State lands. Representing government agencies is a specialized practice that involves unusual issues of confidentiality in the face of Sunshine Laws and public records laws, as well as other unique matters that we are uniquely prepared to handle.

Public Sector

We also represent private commercial real estate clients in the purchase and sale of real estate assets, including vacant land, office building, shopping centers, hotels, condominiums, apartment buildings, industrial parks, and mixed-use projects. We provide counsel relating to entity structuring and organization in connection with such acquisitions.

The evaluation of a property for use and/or development by our local government and private clients is an essential part of the real estate process. We work very closely with our clients in evaluating and investigating a transaction. We assist clients in reviewing issues such as environmental contamination, zoning, structural integrity, mechanical soundness, soil quality, radon gas, wetlands and subdivision matters that limit the use of land. Through a team approach, we evaluate property proposed for public or private use.

While structuring and documenting a deal may be the most demanding of tasks - often involving multiple parties, including lenders - we take pride in our ability to close real estate transactions in a timely manner.

Commercial Leasing

          We have advised both landlords and tenants on a broad array of leasing transactions ranging from complex securitized sale/lease back transactions, ground leasing, big  box and anchor tenant leasing, specialty retail leasing in regional enclosed centers, strip centers, lifestyle centers and urban free standing commercial properties. We have also represented developers and third party management companies in the negotiation and preparation of development, management, cross easement, operating and leasing agreements. Our advice can, and often does, include an analysis of tax implications of a lease or other arrangement.

Title Insurance

As part of every transaction, we are involved in evaluating the title to land and addressing issues that may affect the transaction. We are capable of solving complex title problems. As agents for several national title insurance companies, we provide title insurance, where appropriate, to protect our clients from the unlikely event that unforeseen impediments may affect the ownership of the land. We take every step to see that the property may be used by our client as planned without adverse claims or limitations.

Lending

A significant part of our real property practice involves assisting our clients with the acquisition, construction, development and financing of real estate. When representing local governments, that work may include public bond financing or negotiating complicated grant agreements with State or Federal agencies. We are on the cutting edge of the ever-evolving real estate finance world and the newest vehicles employed by local government in the process. We hold credentials, including master's degrees of law in real estate development and finance. We have the unique understanding of the powers of and limitations on local government in financing and developing lands.

We also frequently represent financial institutions and private borrowers in a variety of real estate commercial financing transactions, including acquisition first and subordinate mortgage loans, refinancing, assumptions and assignments, construction loans, mezzanine financing, workouts, intercreditor's agreements, participation agreements and other complex financing transactions.