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Anthony L.RecioPartner
Anthony L.
Recio

Partner

Miami
(305) 854-0800
trecio@wsh-law.com

Tony Recio’s practice focuses primarily in the representation of private developers in land use and zoning matters. He represents owners, developers, investors and private lenders in land use and zoning matters throughout various South Florida jurisdictions at the municipal, county and State level. His clients include numerous market rate and affordable housing residential developers and he has significant experience with the complex tax-credit financing guidelines and procedures established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and has written legislation at the local level to better facilitate development of affordable housing and mixed-income housing.

In addition to representing clients seeking entitlements to facilitate office, retail and industrial development, Tony’s land use practice includes obtaining approvals, negotiating agreements and advising owners and operators of large convention, entertainment and sporting facilities such as the AmericanAirlines Arena, Homestead Motor Speedway, and the Institute of Contemporary Art.  He also has ample experience with specialized uses, such as outdoor advertising, wireless communications towers and sites, educational and religious facilities, and alcoholic beverage establishments.  Whether approached by a potential buyer seeking to evaluate a property’s development potential or to draft legislation to accommodate a particular client’s need, Tony’s ingenuity, knowledge of the law and politics and ability to navigate the often cumbersome governmental processes leads to proven, cost-effective results.

Tony also advises companies in their relationships with government, including procurement, audits of professional services and franchisee agreements, coordinating outreach and negotiation of complex settlements or code amendments to improve clients’ competitive ability or profitability.  He is well-versed in administrative law matters involving critical public services provided by private contractors.

Tony’s past experience includes serving as legal counsel to the City of Doral throughout the incorporation process where he served as one of the main authors of the City’s Charter.  He has also advised many municipalities over the years in matters of land use and zoning, especially in connection with large scale uses and code re-writes, as well as other matters of administrative law, public services and contracts.  Leveraging this experience, Tony is well-versed in joint public-private partnerships working hand-in-hand with private parties and governmental agencies to reach mutually beneficial goals. In this regard, Tony’s creativity, philosophy, and personality allow for win-win outcomes in negotiations and ongoing relationships.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member, Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority, 2009-2016

Awards & Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America®, Land Use and Zoning Law, 2023
  • South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyer, 2016, 2020 – present
  • South Florida Legal Guide, Top Up and Comer, 2013-2015
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2009-2016
  • Real Estate Florida Magazine, Top Real Estate Lawyer, 2008
  • Florida Trend, Florida Legal Elite, 2008

Admissions

Florida, 2001

Education

University of Miami School of Law, JD, magna cum laude, 2001

  • Honors: Order of the Coif, Harvey T. Reid Scholarship recipient

University of Miami, B.S., cum laude, Microbiology 1998

Press Mentions
  • Aimco, Beitel could redevelop full block in Miami, South Florida Business Journal, November 11, 2022.
  • Miami Lakes church could sell land to developer, South Florida Business Journal, November 12, 2021
  • “Traffic’s mobility challenge alters commercial property use,” Miami Today, 1/20/16
  • “Downtown Convention Site on Track,” Miami Today, 9/18/14
  • “Plans Submitted for Miami World Center’s First Phase” Miami Herald 7/1/14 “2014 Top Lawyers,” South Florida Legal Guide, 1/1/14
  • “Florida’s Legal Elite 2010: Miami/Coral Gables,” Florida Trend, 7/1/10
  • “On the Move,” The Florida Bar News, 2/15/10
  • “Twelve Weiss Serota Helfman Cole Bierman & Popok, P.L. Lawyers Named to Prestigious Super Lawyers Guide,” dBusinessNews, 7/2/09
Representative Experience
  • Drafted and led effort for adoption of several code amendments at City of Miami and Miami-Dade County in connection with Outdoor Advertising, Regional Activity Complexes, and Affordable Housing.
  • Negotiated complex multi-party agreements and implementation for major developer in Miami in connection with major historical findings; in each case, the agreements allowed the developer to move forward with development while artfully accommodating the public interest.
  • Lead land use attorney for entitlement of over 3,500 units of affordable housing in Miami-Dade County.
  • Led roll-out of critical wireless communications infrastructure throughout Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach in particular.
Reported Cases
  • Champlain Towers South Collapse, 2021-015089-CA-01 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. May 18, 2022)

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