Real Estate Law Unlocked

Real Estate Law Unlocked

di Holland & Knight
How Florida Eminent Domain Affects Real Estate Lawyers and Developers
Eminent domain in Florida moves fast, and trial lawyers who understand valuation, timing and statutory leverage can change the outcome for property owners and businesses. Real Estate attorney Alessandria San Roman speaks with Construction Litigation Partner Benjamin Robinson about Florida's property owner-friendly eminent domain framework, the rise in condemnation activity tied to growth and infrastructure, and the practical steps lawyers should take when a client receives notice of a taking. Mr. Robinson describes an example of a situation involving eminent domain – a highway frontage taking that can leave a restaurant or gas station with reduced visibility, access and parking – then explains that business damages claims demand strong financial records, credible expert testimony and early coordination with experienced counsel. The broader lesson for legal professionals is clear: Effective advocacy in condemnation matters entails prompt case assessment, independent appraisal work and a multidisciplinary strategy as courts and agencies confront disputes over necessity, climate resilience, renewable energy and other fast-evolving public projects.
Cyber Risk in Real Estate and Auto Dealerships
Cyber incidents can derail deals, expose sensitive data and create significant legal risk long before a transaction reaches the finish line. Real estate attorney Kyla Baker joins data privacy and cybersecurity attorneys Matthew Welling and Neda Shaheen to examine why real estate companies and automotive dealerships remain prime targets for cyber threats and how organizations can prepare for and respond to incidents. Drawing on their experience advising clients through cyber events, they walk through the life cycle of an incident, the importance of practical response planning and tabletop exercises, and the critical role lawyers play in helping organizations manage risk before and after an attack.
Unlocking the Potential of Washington's Waterfront District
Major real estate growth depends on more than new construction; it requires coordinated investment, governance and long-term planning. Land use and zoning attorney Leila Batties speaks with Emeka Moneme, president and CEO of the Navy Yard BID, about how the Business Improvement District (BID) helps shape one of Washington, D.C.,'s fastest-growing mixed-use neighborhoods. Mr. Moneme explains how the BID operates as a public-private partnership, highlights the role of infrastructure investments and sports venues in driving redevelopment, and discusses how zoning, housing policy and future waterfront improvements continue to position Navy Yard as a key engine of economic development.
Trending Topics in Federal Real Estate, Part 1: What Makes Government Leases Unique
Leasing to the federal government can offer stable income, but landlords who overlook the rules may face costly surprises. Real Estate attorney Jeff Calk and GSA Leasing & Federal Real Estate Team Leader Gordon Griffin explain the fundamentals of federal real estate leases and highlight the unique requirements that distinguish government tenants from traditional commercial occupants. Drawing on Mr. Griffin's experience advising landlords, developers and real estate investment trusts, they outline six key principles ranging from mandatory government lease forms to SAM.gov registration and termination rights, underscoring the realities of working with a tenant that cannot be evicted. The conversation offers a roadmap for landlords, investors and real estate professionals seeking to understand the risks, requirements and advantages of doing business with the federal government.
The State of South Florida's Office Leasing Market in 2026
Miami's office market rewards tenants who understand both the opportunity and the risks behind the region's growth. In this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," Real Estate attorney Alexa Duarte speaks with Savills Associate Natalie Valdez about the forces driving office leasing activity across South Florida and the strategies tenants can use to secure favorable lease terms. Drawing on examples from Brickell, Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, Doral and Wynwood, they explain how market dynamics, parking costs, operating expenses and lease negotiations can significantly affect long-term occupancy. This discussion emphasizes that in a fast-moving leasing market, tenants who engage experienced brokers and counsel early, maintain focus on the full context behind occupancy and negotiate strategically are best positioned to secure long-term value and avoid costly surprises.
Repositioning Downtown Washington, D.C., for Housing, Growth and Investment
Major cities have been competing for residents, investment and talent by pairing bold planning with predictable rules, and the District of Columbia is no exception. Land use attorney Kyrus Freeman and Washington, D.C., Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert discuss how the District is working to revitalize downtown, expand housing production and use public-sector tools to attract residents, companies and investors. Ms. Albert points to D.C.'s goal of adding 15,000 downtown residents by 2028, Mayor Muriel Bowser's affordable housing investments and the Gallery Place Chinatown Task Force as examples of how targeted planning, coordinated agencies and focused regulatory reform can help transform downtown into a more active mixed-use center for housing, entertainment and economic growth.
Puntos fundamentales para los latinoamericanos que invierten en bienes raíces en Estados Unidos
Los inversionistas y desarrolladores latinoamericanos buscan la seguridad legal para acompañar las oportunidades de negocio. En este conversación, Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz, socia y sublíder de la Práctica Inmobiliaria con sede en Miami, y Esteban García-Jiméno, abogado inmobiliario con sede en Colombia, comparten sus experiencias asesorando a clientes internacionales en relación con su entrada en el mercado inmobiliario estadounidense. Explican cómo definir la estructura de inversión, negociar el letter of intent (LOI) y el contrato final, y planificar la debida diligencia de manera efectiva. Asimismo, destacan la importancia de los plazos, la financiación y el title insurance, y analizan los principales riesgos a mitigar para ayudar a los clientes a ejecutar sus planes de inversión con mayor claridad y seguridad.
Exploring California's Housing Project Entitlement Landscape
California's housing reforms have given developers new leverage, but they have not eliminated the legal and economic barriers to building homes. In this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," West Coast Land Use and Environment attorney Kevin Ashe speaks with his fellow land use lawyers Daniel Golub and Ryan Leaderman about how state laws such as the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), Housing Element Law, State Density Bonus Law and builder's remedy have reshaped the entitlement landscape. They discuss the shift from years of discretionary local approvals and "creative groveling" to a more enforceable system, while noting that fees, construction costs, replacement housing requirements and continued opposition to ministerial approvals still slow production.
Soul of the City: How Ward 8 Built Washington, D.C.'s, Newest BID
A successful business improvement district (BID) requires more than a strong vision; it needs the right mix of market conditions, political support and community trust. Land use attorney Kyrus Freeman and Soul of the City BID Founder Monica Ray discuss the formation of Washington, D.C.'s, 13th BID, which serves the Congress Heights, Washington Highlands and Bellevue neighborhoods in Ward 8. Ms. Ray traces the evolution of the BID from initial efforts in 2014 through growth into what it is now, plus how it received the name "Soul of the City." In doing so, she highlights the practical challenges of BID formation, including property ownership patterns, boundary decisions, petition requirements and the sustained outreach needed to persuade owners to invest in the future of their neighborhoods. This episode provides an insider perspective on community reinvestment and economic development.
U.S. Real Estate Tax Planning for Global Families
Tax structure at acquisition can determine whether a global family's U.S. real estate investment preserves value or creates avoidable exposure for years to come. Real Estate attorney Shawn Amuial joins Private Wealth Services and Tax attorneys Sean Tevel and Logan Gans to discuss how global families should structure U.S. real estate investments before closing. They stress that investors who buy first and seek tax advice later often find themselves facing costly – yet preventable – issues such as estate tax and Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) exposure coupled with state tax noncompliance. Proper planning, they add, turns on core facts such as residency, intended use, holding period and home jurisdiction treatment. For real estate lawyers, early coordination between transactional and tax counsel remains critical to protecting clients' assets and avoiding mistakes that are difficult to unwind.
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