Environment • Energy • Land Use • Climate Change  and Sustainability • Grant Funding • Real Estate Law

ENVIRONMENT

The Firm brings a wealth of knowledge to the authorization and implementation process of complex ecosystem restoration initiatives. Bringing over 20 years of experience with Everglades, Lake Okeechobee and Kissimmee River restoration, we know the complexities of Federal and State restoration initiatives and how to navigate them. Several processes are at work simultaneously such as federal/state authorizations and appropriations, federal and state rule-making, legislative initiatives, project documentation and alternatives analysis pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA) and building support to prioritize various projects. We have worked with Agricultural, Tribal, local government, not-for-profit and private sector clients to understand and effectively participate in these types of initiatives.

With the passage of the RESTORE Act and in implementing the various initiatives for Gulf of Mexico

The Firm has developed a multi-disciplined Team to help local governments and stakeholders navigate complex environmental initiatives at the federal and state levels including federal and state rule-making, litigation, permitting and legislative solutions and other support services.

ENERGY

With more focus on the cost saving benefits related to reducing energy use, governments and private sector companies are developing strategies aimed at reducing fossil fuel use either in the built environment or transportation. The Firm has been at the forefront in working with clients to secure energy conservation incentives and creating retrofitting programs. We have sought, and secured, numerous energy-related grants for these types of programs and initiatives.

A key component of our practice is the development of energy financing programs to help local governments and the private sector benefit from new market development related to energy efficiency. Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs are a large part of representative projects with the Firm having worked on two in the State of Florida. Participating in litigation against Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on energy financing incentive programs has enabled us to connect to programs across the U.S. to exchange experiences related to best practices in the energy finance industry.

LAND USE

Speaking and participating in forums nationally, this has allowed the Firm to gain unique experiences and contacts necessary for the development of successful programs and initiatives.

Having achieved certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the Firm brings a strong background to our land use services.  Our experience includes Comprehensive Plan development, rewrites, updates and amendments, evaluation and appraisal reports, development of land development regulations and Code development and revisions.

Always mindful of new changes to growth management laws, the Firm provides strong credentials in terms of project management for land use issues.  The Firm has led these efforts and served as a partner in multi-disciplined teams to represent private and public sector clients in the land use needs.  The Firm has worked on land use cases and brings that experience to help strengthen the ability of projects to withstand challenge. We assist our clients with strategic counsel and advice on engaging the public where projects are contentious, leading to successful results.

SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE PLANNING

As local governments and private corporations are starting to realize the significant economic benefits to “going green” our expertise has been pivotal to help our clients achieve their goals.  Our Firm has authored or co-authored numerous sustainability and climate plans and worked on innovative projects that have included green building features. Helping a client navigate this new industry and field is important because of the rapidly evolving nature of building codes, green building certifications and energy standards.  We assist our clients in understanding how they will now need to consider new factors in their business model or meet new requirements in project approvals and planning.

A large area of our representation is helping clients navigate the increasing challenges of resiliency and climate adaptation and potential liabilities associated with responding to climate change.  The Firm has a strong track record in developing and implementing sustainability and climate plans and linking those initiatives to Comprehensive Plans and Codes. We also have helped numerous real estate investors understand these issues and make more informed judgments about their asset acquisition and portfolios.

We work with planning, engineering and other consulting firms in partnership to achieve our client’s sustainability and climate planning goals.  Bringing a unique experience to the project team as both a lawyer and a planner, we can provide enhanced value to our clients in the form of strategic planning and legal advice.

GRANT FUNDING

We have a very a successful track record in researching and securing grants for various clients including governmental, private sector and agricultural interests. Since each grant opportunity is unique and budgeting for companies and governments can be difficult for these opportunities, we employ a case by case approach in terms of the services we supply. We have coordinated and drafted grant applications for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development and numerous private foundation grants. Our firm strives to provide flexible options for our Grant services which depend on the level of effort to move from grant strategy to application submittal and the potential for work within our areas of expertise.  We also provide services to research grant opportunities on a case-by-case basis premised on the client’s resources to identify such opportunities and their funding priorities.

We will work with our clients to determine what the goals, priorities and time frames are for funding objectives. Upon defining a working relationship, we will also make recommendations, or develop a strategy, for the client on the strongest grant opportunities. These recommendations or this strategy, may include capital planning and project summaries, project documentation / budget development and linking overall organizational plans with specific programs and initiatives. All of our recommendations are designed to strengthen the client’s ability to secure funding opportunities based on our experience.

REAL ESTATE

Purchasing or refinancing a property may be the biggest investment you make.  We bring peace of mind to the closing table. As title agents for the title insurance company, we act as closing agents in real estate transactions.  As attorneys, we can provide legal advice about the contracts and other various documents being signed or about the quality of title being conveyed to the buyer.  We can issue title insurance, act as a closing agent and can also represent one of the parties to the transaction. We will help relieve the stress of closing or refinancing your investment by ensuring that all of your documents are prepared correctly including proper vesting in the deed, and that all the necessary paperwork is ready to be signed at closing.