Akerman LLP‘s national land use and development practice is reputed for its depth of experience advising on local zoning and land use regulations, process and policy. The team handles all aspects of real estate development and urban redevelopments: Miami-based practice co-head Spencer Crowley focuses on considerable land use and environmental permitting matters, including marina permitting, while Miami lawyer Neisen Kasdin assists clients with in obtaining approvals for rezoning in addition to advising on the development of large-scale, multi-use projects. In New York, co-head Joshua Rinesmith is a go-to advisor for property owners, developers, architects and engineers seeking advice on zoning compliance and property development potential. In the same office, Jaclyn Scarinci advises on the development of mixed-use and affordable housing projects. Chicago’s Meg George acts for municipalities, developers, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies, and Los Angeles-based real estate expert and development expert Lisa Kolieb regularly counsels on the regulatory aspects of real estate transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Akerman is very creative in staffing, and they have several team members who used to work at the NY City planning department, so they have a unique perspective on solving real estate issues in NYC.'
'They are creative and willing to think outside the box. They are also very supportive of coming up with solutions that will be affordable for the client.'
'Neisen Kasdin and Kristofer Machado are attentive, thoughtful, proactive, comprehensive and dedicated.'
'Akerman's well-established Miami Beach practice is very experienced with lots of local/ relevant reference points, attentive points of contact with open communication.'
'Highly talented lawyers with extraordinary customer service skills.'

Key clients

Madison Realty Capital
Bally's Corporation
Hilco Redevelopment Partners
MADDD Equities
Joy Construction
Swire Properties
ABM Community Partners LLC
Real Builders
Tavistock Group
ESJ Holdings
Miami Design District Associates
Safe Harbor Marinas, LLC

Work highlights

Advised Bally’s Corporation on the acquisition of the existing industrial Tribune Publishing Center property in Chicago to improve as the city's first casino, including work centered on the operation of a temporary casino facility.
Advised Real Builders, an affiliate of Radson Development, Catholic Charities People of Progress Development Corporation, and Brownsville Partnership, on the land use and zoning for the Livonia4 redevelopment of four historically vacant City-owned sites in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Advised Swire Properties Inc. and related companies of New York on the zoning changes needed to expand office spaces on the One BCC block in Miami.