George J. Meyer

Overview

George Meyer is a construction and real estate lawyer with extensive experience representing owners, developers, contractors, and designers on large, complex development projects. He handles all types of construction and real estate transactions. That transaction experience includes the preparation, negotiation, awarding, closing, and administration of development agreements, construction contracts, design-build contracts, construction management agreements, purchase and sale contracts, option agreements, easements, leases, operating and maintenance agreements, and project financing facilities.

George has worked on major projects all across the country, including many stadiums, arenas, ballparks, convention centers, airports, hospitals, education facilities (primary, secondary, university, and research), hotels, casinos, commercial office and retail, residential (single and multifamily), mixed use, water and sewer treatment systems, processing plants, manufacturing and shipping facilities, pipelines, refineries, and railroads. A few of his projects include Citi Field (Mets MLB ballpark), Miami Art Museum, Heinz Field (Pittsburgh Steelers NFL stadium), Orlando Magic NBA arena, Detroit Red Wings NHL arena, Florida Aquarium, San Antonio Military Medical Center, CityScape (Phoenix mixed-use project), Ritz Carlton/JW Marriott Desert Ridge and Grande Lake Resorts, Florida Marlins ballpark, Twin Arrows Casino project, Atlanta Falcons stadium, Roma soccer stadium (Rome, Italy), and Los Angeles Rams stadium. He has helped clients resolve all manner of contract claims and disputes, including design and construction deficiencies, delay claims, change orders, additional services, construction liens, and bond and insurance claims.

George is board certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar and is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and the American College of Construction Lawyers. He is consistently rated by Chambers USA and the Legal 500 as one of the top construction lawyers in Florida, including previously being named by the Legal 500 as one of the top 10 construction lawyers in the country. He is consistently included in Florida Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers, and Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite. He has served as chair of the ABA's Forum on Construction Law and chair of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar. He is the recipient of the RPPTL Section's Construction Law Committee's 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award.

One commenter remarked in Chambers USA, a leading guide to the legal profession, that "he has had a hand in some major, major construction projects, such as baseball stadia. He has a unique set of qualifications and skills, which put him in the top tier."

George is the co-chair of the firm's Construction Industry Group.

George Meyer is adept at handling complex development projects for an array of clients, routinely handling matters such as contracts, development agreements and project financing facilities.

Chambers USA

Experience

George has extensive experience with developing standard form design and construction contracts for various owners, developers, and contractors. In addition, he has a wide range of experience in multiple Florida counties, school districts, and state agencies. He has been involved in large projects, which include well-known arenas, stadiums, convention centers, and more. Below is a representation of his larger projects:

Airports

• Detroit Metropolitan Airport Midfield Terminal
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport – Southwest Terminal expansion
• San Juan Airport renovation and expansion
• New Louis Armstrong
• New Orleans Terminal
• Panama City-Bay County International Airport

Stadiums and Arenas

• American Airlines Center
• State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals)
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons)
• Comerica Park (Detroit Tigers)
• Marlins Park (Miami Marlins)
• Tropicana Field renovations (Tampa Bay Rays)
• Ford Field (Detroit Lions)
• Heinz Field (Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Arena Theatre in Houston, Texas
• Dodger Stadium renovations (LA Dodgers)
• Citi Field (New York Mets)
• Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers)
• Amway Center (Orlando Magic)
• Oracle Park (San Francisco Giants)
• Raymond James Stadium (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• T-Mobile Park (Seattle Mariners)
• Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals)
• Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay Lightning)
• Nationals Park (Washington Nationals)
• Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park (Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers)

Convention Centers

• Kentucky International Convention Center
• McCormick Place Convention Center expansion
• Orlando Orange County Convention Center expansion
• Washington State Convention Center

Additional Large-Scale Projects

• Tampa Bay Water’s capital expansion program
• Tri-Rail parallel track project
• Destination resort hotel complexes and casinos
• Condominium and timeshare projects
• Mixed-use projects
• Florida Aquarium
• Manufacturing facilities and plants
• MLB spring training facilities
• Orange County Public Schools’ capital expansion program
• Trans-Pacific Ocean fiber cable relocation

Professional & Community Involvement

• American College of Construction Lawyers
  • Fellow
  • Board of Governors (2020–present)
• American College of Real Estate Lawyers
  • Fellow
• American Bar Association
  • Past Chair, Forum on Construction Law
    • Past Chair, Steering Committee for the Owners and Lenders Division
    • Past Chair, Special Programs and Education Committee
    • Past Chair, Membership Committee
  • Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Section
    • Past Chair, Design and Construction Law Committee
• The Florida Bar
  • Past Chair, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
    • Legislative Review and Title Insurance Committees
    • Member and Past Chair, Construction Law Committee
  • Past Member, Construction Law Certification Committee
• Florida Engineering Society
  • Past Chair, Legislative Committee
• Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • Member and Past Chair, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay
  • Past Board Member and President
• Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
  • General Counsel (2000–2001)

Speaking Engagements

• “Project Development and Finance,” Construction Projects and Infrastructure 2021, Practising Law Institute (May 13, 2021)
• "Drafting Joint Venture Agreements: Keys to Structuring Real Estate and Construction Deals," ALI (January 14, 2021)
• "Impact of COVID-19 on Construction Contracts," Hartford Insurance Construction Industry Advisory Board (September 17, 2020)
• "Construction Contracts," Construction Law Certification Review Course, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (March 7, 2019)
• "Killer Contract Clauses," American College of Construction Lawyers (February 23, 2019)
• "Changes to AIA Contract Documents and ConsensusDocs," The Seminar Group, Miami, FL (May 17, 2018)
• "Construction Contracts," Construction Law Certification Review Course, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (March 8, 2018)
• "Liability Risk Management on Large Sporting Facilities," American College of Construction Lawyers (February 24, 2018)
• "Overly Aggressive Contract Provisions" American College of Construction Lawyers (February 23, 2018)
• "Construction Contracts," Construction Law Certification Review Course, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (March 9, 2017)
• "Alternative Project Delivery Programs," Annual Construction Law in Florida, The Seminar Group, Miami, FL (October 13–14, 2016)
•  “Construction Contracts,” Construction Law Certification Review Course, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (March 10, 2016)
• “Teaming and Joint Venture Agreements," Annual Construction Law in Florida, The Seminar Group, Miami (October 15–16, 2015)
• “Construction Contracts,” Construction Law Certification Review Course, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (March 12, 2015)
•  "Drafting Joint Venture Agreements," New York County Lawyers Association (April 21, 2015)
• "Avoiding Common Mistakes With Construction Bonds: Or What You Don't Know About Construction Bonds Can Hurt You," ACREL/ALI (April 21, 2015)
• “Integrated Project Delivery and Teaming Agreements," ACI Second National Forum on Construction Claims and Litigation, New York, NY (February 24, 2015)
• "AIA Contracts," Lorman Education Services, Sarasota and Tampa, FL (October 2014)
• “ABCs of Construction Contracting/Creating a Contract You Can Live With,” The Seminar Group, Miami, FL (October 23, 2014)
• “When to Call in the Reinforcements,” ABA Forum on Construction Law Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (April 10, 2014)
• “Construction Contracts,” The Florida Bar Advanced Construction Law Certification Course, Orlando, FL (March 20, 2014)
• “ABCs of Construction Contracting/Creating a Contract You Can Live With,” The Seminar Group, Miami, FL (October 16, 2013)
• “In the Eye of the Beholder/Project Delivery Methods From Different Points of View,” The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute, Orlando, FL (March 8, 2013)
• "3D Movies, 3D Glasses, 3D Construction: Rocking the Construction Industry With BIM and IPD," American College of Real Estate Lawyers, Chicago, IL (October 20, 2012)
• "Construction Law From a General Contractor's Perspective," The Seminar Group, Orlando, FL (August 10, 2012)
• "Large Venue Projects: Major Elements of Project Closeout," The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute, Orlando, FL (March 23, 2012)
• "AIA Contracts," Lorman Education Services, Tampa, FL (October 6, 2011)
• "Construction Issues," Florida Legal Education Association's Real Estate Team Seminar, Tampa, FL (April 16, 2010)
• “Analyzing Construction Documents: Uncovering the Hidden Gems,” The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute, Orlando, FL (April 9, 2010)
• “Overview and Agreement Forms” and “B101 Architectural Agreement,” Lorman Education Services, Tampa, FL (May 13, 2009)
•  “AIA B101-2007: A Discussion of Significant Changes to the Owner/Architect Contract,” The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute, Orlando, FL (March 2008)
• “New AIA Documents,” ABA Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Section Spring Symposium, Washington, D.C. (May 2008)
• “Overview and Agreement Forms” and “B101 Architectural Agreement,” Lorman Education Services, Kissimmee, FL (May 2008)
• “Overview and Agreement Forms,” Lorman Education Services, Tampa, FL (April 2007) and Orlando, FL (May 2007)
• “Architectural Agreement,” Lorman Education Services, Tampa, FL (April 2007) and Orlando, FL (May 2007)
• “Additional Insured Forms – Are You Covered?,” U.S. Shopping Center Law Conference, International Council of Shopping Centers, Orlando, FL (October 25, 2006)
• "Looking into the Crystal Ball: Possible Changes to the Next Generation of AIA Documents," ABA Joint Fall CLE Meeting, Section of Taxation and Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, Denver, CO (October 20, 2006)
• "Looking into the Crystal Ball: Possible Changes to the Next Generation of AIA Documents,” ABA Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Section (December 2006)
•  “Florida Construction Lien Law Today," Annual Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund Assembly, Orlando, FL (May 2006)
• "AIA Contract Documents," overview of AIA contract documents and detail review of standard agreement forms and B141 architectural contract, Lorman Education Services, Tampa, FL (April 2006) Orlando, FL (May 2006) Sarasota, FL (August 2006)
• "Internet-Based Project Management for Large Construction Projects," American College of Real Estate Lawyers Midyear Meeting, Tucson, AZ (March 2005)
• "AIA Contract Documents," overview of AIA contract documents and detail review of standard agreement forms and B141 architectural contract, Lorman Education Services, Tampa, FL (April 2005) and Orlando, FL (May 2005)
• "AIA Document Review," Lorman Education Services (April 2004)
• "Florida Construction Lien Law," Real Estate Certification Review Class, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (April 2004)
• "Electronic Real Estate Transactions," ABA Techshow (March 2004)
• "Web-Based Project Management," ABA Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Annual Meeting, (July 2003)
• "Florida Construction Lien Law," Real Estate Certification Review, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (April 2003)
• “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly About Standard Form Contracts: The Owner’s and Designer’s Points of View," 41st Annual Meeting of Invited Attorneys (June 2002)
• "Florida Construction Lien Law Today," Real Estate Certification Course, The Florida Bar (April 2002)
• ABA 2001 Annual Meeting Group H, Mixed-Use Developments – Hotels, Golf Courses & Resort Amenities (August 2001)
• "Florida Construction Lien Law Today," Real Estate Certification Course, The Florida Bar (April 2001)
• "Florida Uniform Building Code Legislative Update," Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (July 2000)
• “Design-Build for Transportation," Design-Build Institute of America (March 2000)
• “Statutory Award Procedures for Public Contracts," Construction Law Seminar, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (October 1999)
• "Enforcement Issues for the Real Property Practitioner," The Florida Bar (March 1999)
• "Junior Lien Holders, Lien Foreclosures in Florida," Real Estate Litigation Seminar, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (October 1998)
• "Florida Real Property Legislative Update," Annual Legislative and Case Law Update, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (July 1998)
• "Public Agency Purchasing Requirements," Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers (May 1998)
• "Construction Law Seminar," Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (May 1998)
• "Public Owner Construction Documents," standard form construction documents from an owner’s perspective, ABA Forum on Construction Law (April 1998)
• "Construction Law and Contract Document Consideration," professional liability and ethics, University of South Florida's College of Engineering (1998–2000)

Pro Bono

• Ronald McDonald Houses of Tampa Bay and for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce – various matters.

Credentials

Areas of Focus