Edgel C. Lester Jr.

Ed Lester has handled numerous types of commercial and real estate transactions, and regularly represents clients in connection with mortgage and asset-based loans, real estate and equipment sales, leases, acquisitions, loan workouts, settlement agreements, purchases, sales of stock and other equity interests, loan securitizations, synthetic leases, and timeshare receivables financing.

Ed has participated in programs on finance, legal ethics, and other topics relating to his practice areas and serves as a title agent for most of the title companies that write policies in the state of Florida.

Experience

Represented a health care-focused private nontraded real estate investment trust in its $117 million purchase of a portfolio of 20 specialized outpatient treatment centers.

Speaking Engagements

"Lawyer's Role and Responsibility in Finance Fraud," Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys Annual Meeting (May 2010)

"Judicial Erosion of Bankruptcy Remoteness Protections," American Bar Association Business Law Section Spring Meeting (2010)

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America (2005–2027)

Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2007–2020, 2022–2026)

Chambers USA (2006–2019)

Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend (2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015)

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Professional & Community Involvement

Ed is a fellow of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers and a member of the Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys, the Florida Bar, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Real Estate Investment Council Inc., and Rotary International. He is a Leadership Tampa alumnus and a former chair of the Real Estate Financing Subcommittee of the Commercial Finance Committee of the American Bar Association's Business Law Section.

Ed is a former chair of the advisory board of the University of Tampa's Center for Ethics, a former chairman of the university's board of counselors, and a former member of its board of trustees. He also previously served on the board of trustees of the Henry B. Plant Museum, as president of the American Heart Association's Metro Tampa Division, and as a director of the Tampa Bay Chamber and the Westshore Alliance.

Ed has taught secured transactions at Stetson University College of Law. He has also spoken at numerous seminars on real estate, finance, and legal ethics, including programs on Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, due diligence in loan transactions, and Florida title insurance issues. At the firm, Ed previously served on the board of directors.