Development

Carlton Fields' Development Industry Group represents some of the nation's largest developers.  The Group has advised on some of the most successful and complex construction and real estate projects in the industry. 

Our Development Industry Group is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of attorneys, selected for their experience in various practice areas relating to development, construction, and real estate.  The Group represents local, regional, national, and international clients in every phase of development, including:

• the acquisition of and financing for real property
• establishing entitlements for property
• assisting with permitting and environmental issues
• assisting with the development of property
• assisting with the sale of property

Team Strengths

Our extensive experience with the development industry allows us to better understand our clients’ business objectives, and effectively help our clients achieve these goals.  Our experience also puts us in a unique position to assists clients in navigating the pitfalls of the current financial situation, and identify opportunities in anticipation of the tremendous opportunities that economic recovery will bring. 

The Development Industry Group offers clients:

• years of experience working with clients in the development industry
• the ability to effectively advise on all aspects of our development industry clients' business
• experience working across related firm practices and offices
• increased efficiencies, resulting in reduced costs and greater value for the client

Areas of Experience

Development Industry Group attorneys have significant experience in the following areas related to development, construction, and real estate:

• Affordable Housing
• Auctions
• Bids and Procurement
• Brownfields
• Commercial Leasing and Management
• Community, Condominium, and Resort Development
• Community Development Districts
• Construction Contracts and Administration
• Construction Litigation
• Developments of Regional Impact
• Distressed Asset and Workout
• Eminent Domain
• Energy
• Environmental
• Government Representation and Lobbying
• Heavy Construction (roads, bridges, utilities) 
• Historic Preservation
• Insurance Litigation and Regulation
• Land Use and Zoning
• LEED^® Certification
• Mixed Use and Urban Development
• Mold Management and Litigation
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Private Equity and Venture Capital
• Property Transfers
• Public-Private Partnerships
• Real Estate Finance
• Real Property and Developer Claims Defense
• Securities Transactions and Compliance
• State and Local Taxation and Ad Valorem Tax Challenges
• Suretyship and Insurance
• Sustainable Building Projects
• Title Insurance

Mindful of the cost of litigation, Carlton Fields counsels clients on litigation avoidance and on alternative means to resolve disputes — such as mediation or arbitration — to pursue the client's goals. If litigation cannot be avoided, Carlton Fields offers clients a nationally recognized Litigation Practice recognized for its bench strength.

We also offer development industry clients significant experience in the areas of corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, and support services including employment and intellectual property law.

Representative Matters & Projects

• Representation of a large general contractor with major projects throughout the state of Florida. We represent the contractor, and its affiliated entities in Florida that also develop projects, in all matters related to construction law and litigation. We negotiate and draft their contracts, and advise them in and handle their litigation. We recently represented the client in connection with a $50+ million luxury condominium project in South Florida. The representation involves the defense of two multi-million dollar claims by condominium associations related to a single project and involves complex surety, insurance, and condominium law issues.
   
• Representation of a developer in connection with the arbitration and litigation of class actions relating to the construction of single family residences in the state of Florida. This representation could affect more than 8,000 homes built by our client.
   
•  Serve as construction counsel to the City of Panama City Beach and advise and assist the City in identifying a talent pool relating to program management for design and delivery of capital improvements to the Redevelopment Area, advise and assist in developing contractual documentation for delivery of the design and construction of capital improvements, and generally serve as special counsel to the City in construction-related matters.
   
• Representation of contracting company in connection with numerous condominium construction projects built throughout the west coast of Florida with values ranging from $10 million to $20+ million. We provide representation regarding owner, subcontractor and insurance issues, and includes matters pending in Florida state and federal courts.
   
• Serve as Florida construction and regulatory counsel for a developer, representing the company with respect to construction defect claims and regulatory issues raised by local and state regulatory agencies. For example, we currently represent the company in connection with an investigation by the Florida Attorney General relating to alleged delays in construction.
   
• Representation of a public school district in multiple construction law matters, including contract drafting and advice during construction, arising from the multi-million dollar renovation of a middle school.