Overview
Jin Liu represents real estate investment trusts (REITs), national builders, resort developers, other developers of large commercial and residential projects, pension funds, and other institutional investors in the purchase and sale of both improved and unimproved property, business planning and implementation, transaction structuring, equity investment, and a variety of financing transactions. Jin also represents banks, other institutional lenders, loan servicers, and other financial institutions in a wide range of loan transactions, loan sales, workouts, and disposition of real estate. Jin has experience advising developers and financial institutions with respect to Florida condominium filings and condominium-related due diligence issues.
Jin is a bicultural and bilingual attorney who received legal education in both the United States and China. She has represented international clients — and, in particular, Chinese clients — in EB-5 investment immigration-related development projects and a variety of other commercial transactions.
Jin currently chairs the firm’s Development Industry Group.
Experience
- Represented a life insurance company in its acquisition of various student housing and other multi-family assets throughout the U.S., with each single asset valued between $60 million to $130 million.
- Represented a developer in a $70 million construction loan for the development of a multi-family project in Florida.
- Represented a national builder in the structuring and documentation of various master-planned communities, including one in Florida that includes the interplay of a master association, a community development district, and multiple sub-associations.
- Represented a developer in the negotiation and documentation of the operating agreement for a joint venture entity that will serve as the general partner of various investment vehicles to acquire a series of properties throughout the U.S. with the projected value of the assets at approximately $1 billion.
- Represented a preferred equity investor in the sale of its membership interests in a student housing project in Florida valued at $133 million.
- Represented a health care-focused real estate investment trust in its $117 million purchase of a portfolio of 20 specialized outpatient treatment centers.
- Represented a developer in obtaining a $75 million construction loan secured by a residential condominium development project.
- Represented a real estate investment trust (REIT) in its disposition of various full-service marinas valued from $30 million to $70 million each.
- Represented a pension fund in its acquisition of various multifamily properties valued from $60 million to $80 million each, and associated financing.
- Represented national builders in purchase of other builders through asset acquisition transactions.
- Represents national builders in various joint ventures, acquisitions, and development projects, including subdivision formation and structuring.
- Represents EB-5-focused funds in both equity and debt investments in various real estate adventures.
- Represented a major developer in completing the development of a $230 million hotel, residential condo and hotel condo project, and in a series of loans totaling more than $100 million, including, without limitation, the refinancing of a $115 million construction loan into a $65 million permanent loan and the obtaining of a $7.5 million mezzanine loan facility.
- Represents CMBS lender in a series of CMBS loan facilities secured by a variety of asset classes.
- Represented a developer in the redevelopment of a resort town valued more than $100 million and related equity financing through limited liability companies.
- Represented a bank subsidiary in disposing of a resort hotel and condominium development project for close to $50 million.
- Represented the holder of a $30 billion portfolio of mortgage loans secured by multifamily properties in the resolution of more than 100 distressed loans in over 20 states.
- Represented $6 billion China-based consumer electronics conglomerate in various matters, including private placement of securities of its subsidiaries.
- Represented buyers and sellers in sale and purchase of minor league baseball clubs.
Areas of Focus
Practices
Industries
Insights
News
Recognition
- 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers, Lawdragon (2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law (2021–2025)
- BusinessWoman of the Year, Tampa Bay Business Journal (2023)
- Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine (2022)
- Florida Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine (2017–2021)
- Southern Region Hot List, Lawyers of Color (2013)
- Selected to be one of the nation’s six fellows of the ABA's Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Section (2008–2010)
- Up and Comer Award,Tampa Bay Business Journal (2008)
- Finalist, Young Professional of the Year Award, St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce (2008)
Professional & Community Involvement
- American Bar Association
- Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Section
- Chair, Special Investors and Investment Structure Group
- Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Section
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers
- Fellow
- American College of Mortgage Attorneys (2018–present)
- Fellow
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Historian and Executive Council Member of Fellows Alumni Association (2014–2016)
- Fellow (2012)
- The Florida Bar
- Former Member, Membership Outreach Committee
- Harvard Law School Accelerated Leadership Program (2016)
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Real Estate Investment Council
- Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans
- Former Director and Secretary
- Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. (2019–present)
- Business Development Committee
- Tampa Downtown Partnership (2018–present)
- Board of Directors
- Secretary
Speaking Engagements
- "Community & Development: Perspectives From Lenders, Developers, and Contractors: Challenges and Opportunities of the Coronavirus Outbreak," Carlton Fields (March 20, 2020)
- "Unique Legal Issues in Agriculture Financing: The $340 Billion Industry That Few Talk About but Everyone Benefits From," ABA Section of Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Spring Symposia, Denver, CO (April 21, 2017)
Credentials
Education
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2005)
- Winner, Smith-Doheny Legal Ethics Writing Competition (2005)
- Southwest University of Political Science and Law (LL.B., with distinction, 2002)
- Sichuan International Studies University (B.A., 2002)
Bar Admissions
Languages
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