Areas of Concentration
· Hospitality and resorts acquisitions, lending and development
· Real estate secured lending
· International
· Immigration
Significant Representations
· Representation of lender in providing bridge financing to branded California hotel under construction.
· Representation of Brilla Group, LLC affiliate in acquisition of interests in Conde Nast top rated St. Barth's hotel.
· Representation of the Miami Art Museum (pro bono and otherwise) for various exhibition agreements and contractual matters.
· Representation of foreign investment fund in cash acquisition out of foreclosure of major Pacific waterfront Mexican resort, and negotiation of hotel operating agreement for the resort.
· Representation of investment group in acquisition of 40 luxury condo-hotel units in Bal Harbour.
· Representation of Brilla Group, LLC affiliate in cash acquisition of the Raleigh Hotel in South Beach.
· Representation of New York hotelier in acquisition out of bankruptcy of Breakwater and Edison Hotels in South Beach, and other boutique Collins Avenue hotels.
· Representation of developer of Q Club Ft. Lauderdale in negotiating $110 million financing, and leasing operations.
· Representation of downtown retail center in negotiation and closing of $10 million financing.
· Representation of luxury beachfront South Beach hotel in $180 million financing.
· Representation of New York developer in acquisition and $475 million financing of approximately 20 acres on Las Vegas Strip, together with negotiation of prospective hotel management agreement.
· Representation of Miami joint venture in development and sale structuring of luxury downtown Miami River hotel, and negotiation of hotel operating agreement with national luxury brand.
· Representation of New York developer in acquisition and development of luxury Caribbean resort in Anguilla, including negotiation of leases and concessions with Government of Anguilla, and hotel operating agreements with various luxury international brands.
· Representation of major lending institution in construction loan for luxury, bayfront condominium project in downtown Miami.
· Representation of majority owner of public company focused on lithium-ion battery technology and energy in obtaining $80 million financing from Eastern European state bank.
· Representation of marina owner and operator in obtaining title insurance in Caribbean jurisdictions.
· Representation of investment group in acquisition and development plans for luxury resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
· Representation of Freedom Tower owner in charitable contribution of Freedom Tower to Miami-Dade College.
· Representation of major Florida bank in numerous multi-million dollar real estate and asset based loans and lines of credit throughout Florida.
· Representations of various prospective developers in evaluating viability of projects and legislation in jurisdictions of Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas.
· Representation of hotel and condo-hotel developers in negotiation of operating agreements with hotel operators.
· Representation of institutional lenders in real estate secured and asset-based lending transactions.
· Representation of developers in negotiating construction financing and/or refinancing.
· Representation of clients in acquisitions and sales of fee and leasehold interests in real property.
Professional & Community Involvement
· Graduate, Leadership Miami, Class XXXI, 2009-2010
· Member, Illinois State Bar Association
· Member, American Bar Association
· Member, The Florida Bar
· Chair, Dade County Bar Association International Law Committee, 2003-2004
· Vice-Chair, Dade County Bar Association International Law Committee, 2002-2003
· Head Coach, University of Miami Women's & Men's Club Volleyball, 2002-present
Awards & Recognition
· Listed, South Florida Legal Guide (2004-2012)
- "Top Lawyers in South Florida" (2010-2012)
- "Up & Comers" (2004-2009)
· Team Member, Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year" (2011)
· Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers (2010-2011)
- "Rising Star" (2010)
· Member, Winning Team, Chambers USA Award for Excellence, Real Estate (2010)
Articles, Publications, & Lectures
Articles
· Author, "GATT/WTO Waivers: 'Exceptional Circumstances' as Applied to the Lome Waiver," Boston University International Law Journal, Vol. 19, No. 1; (cite 19 B.U. Int'l L. J. 129)