
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
USA Guide 2026 : Florida: South
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Bilzin Sumberg
Bilzin Sumberg’s Real Estate attorneys are trusted advisors to a distinguished roster of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to foreign and domestic businesses to entrepreneurs and family offices. The firm advises in every sector of the real estate industry and every stage of the real estate cycle.
Bilzin Sumberg works with clients in the purchase and sale of commercial and residential real estate, mixed-use, and transit oriented developments (among other asset types), construction and mezzanine financing projects, development and construction, affordable housing and tax credits, leasing, and real estate-related loan sales and purchases. Bilzin Sumberg also possesses experience in specialized areas that are experiencing growth across Florida, such as condominium redevelopment, which often encompasses the complex process of terminating an existing condominium.
The firm's Land Use attorneys represent clients through all aspects of the government regulatory approval and permitting process, including planning and zoning applications, developments of regional impact, development agreements and complex environmental and land use permitting. They conducts due diligence evaluations, to make an assessment of applicable laws, permitted uses, viability of permits and approvals, restrictions or limitations regarding changes to or expansions of current uses and the existence of vested rights.
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Bilzin Sumberg represented Simon Property Group in its $512 million acquisition of all ownership interests in Miami's Brickell City Centre shopping mall.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
They provide great service, dedication and expertise.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSABilzin Sumberg is simply the best. The firm evidences superior expertise and knowledge of a wide range of real estate, land use, zoning, acquisition, financing and development laws, rules and regulations, permitting, contracting and closing transactions for successful development. The team is strategic, efficient and effective.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSABilzin Sumberg is very knowledgeable and offers very precise, accurate and applicable legal advice.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSAThe team stands out for its ability to deal with complex matters and make them digestible.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSAThe attorneys at Bilzin are all experts in their specific field of law but work closely together to integrate all knowledge and experience into a transaction. The members of the firm are more than attorneys handling legal work piece by piece, they all take a personal interest in protecting and guiding the client strategically through the entirety of a transaction or engagement.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Senior Statespeople 
Senior Statespeople 
Brian L Bilzin
Brian Bilzin, a founding partner, handles all aspects of real estate transactions, including financing and leasing. Brian is much more than an attorney. He is a mentor that offers measured guidance, direction and vision. Brian is one of the most knowledgeable, well-grounded and generous individuals I have ever met.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSABrian Bilzin is an excellent leader with depth of knowledge.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSABrian Bilzin is a great resource and managing member.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
Eminent Practitioners 
Eminent Practitioners 
Albert E Dotson Jr
Albert Dotson, the firm's managing partner, is particularly active in the area of transit development projects, which includes advising clients on permit matters. He also acts for clients in the residential sector and for non-profit organizations.
Al Dotson is a great managing partner.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSAAlbert Dotson is a seasoned counsel with a wide range of expertise. I highly recommended him.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
Eminent Practitioners 
Eminent Practitioners 
John C Sumberg
John Sumberg is the chairman of the firm and advises clients on construction financing and real estate transactions, including hotel sales and acquisitions of ownership interest. John is a seasoned leader with extraordinary breadth of expertise and experience, strategic and practical vision and an enormous heart.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
Javier Aviñó
Javier Aviñó regularly handles land use and zoning issues arising from projects in the residential, hospitality, transit and leisure sectors. He also advises on public-private partnerships and air rights issues. Javier Aviñó is an extraordinarily knowledgeable, talented, experienced and effective zoning and land use counsel. I highly recommend him. He is a miracle worker.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSAJavier is one of the top attorneys in the country for planning and land use matters. He is very good at navigating complex and new issues.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
Suzanne Amaducci
Suzanne Amaducci acts for clients on redevelopment projects, with a focus on the transit and leisure sectors. She also advises on ground lease agreements, investments and acquisitions, as well as refinancing matters.
Suzanne Amaducci stands out for her practical approach. She is able to identify and spot issues immediately.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Adam D Lustig
Adam Lustig advises on local and multistate real estate acquisitions and financing mandates, with particular strength acting for developers. Adam makes the process much more efficient and doesn't get in the way of the big picture. We have a deal and get it done.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSAAdam Lustig is a very close resource, an adviser as much as an attorney.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSAAdam is there for me at every turn. He is level-headed and always on point. He keeps the transaction moving forward with professionalism and a high level of skill.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Carter N McDowell
Carter McDowell's practice covers entitlement matters, easement negotiations and development projects, including those relating to mixed-use waterfront developments such as marinas and hospitality projects.
Band 2 
Band 2 
James W Shindell
James Shindell handles a variety of property acquisitions and development projects, with further strength in financing matters such as construction loan transactions and wider real estate finance work. Band 3 
Band 3 
Brian Adler
Brian Adler advises on zoning, permitting and land use issues in connection with a range of development projects, including those in the healthcare and retail sectors. Brian Adler has unparalleled depth of experience. He has the ability to think like a developer unprompted and often identifies and solves development-related problems before they even become problems.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSABrian Adler is at the top of his game. His focus is on a variety of jurisdictions in the coastal regions; he is at the forefront there.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSABrian is an extremely detailed and goal-oriented land use attorney who is always highly prepared, organized and ready to get the job done. He is always available and takes a personal interest in every aspect of his client's business.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 
Eileen B Mehta
Eileen Mehta's practice encompasses zoning approvals and entitlement matters. She offers further experience in disputes concerning the use of historic buildings.
Band 3 
Band 3 
Joseph Hernandez
Joseph Hernandez handles all manner of real estate transactions, including purchases and financings, for developers, investors and public entities. He has a particular niche in condominium matters.
Joseph Hernandez is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced lawyers that we work with. Joe gives a comfort level so we do not lose sleep at night. It is always a pleasure to work with him.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Bilzin Sumberg (11)
Members
Provided by Bilzin Sumberg

Brian L Bilzin
View profile of Brian L Bilzin
Adam D Lustig
View profile of Adam D Lustig
John C Sumberg
View profile of John C Sumberg
James W Shindell
View profile of James W Shindell
Suzanne Amaducci
View profile of Suzanne Amaducci
Joseph Hernandez
View profile of Joseph Hernandez
Carter N McDowell
View profile of Carter N McDowell
Eileen B Mehta
View profile of Eileen B Mehta
Albert E Dotson Jr
View profile of Albert E Dotson Jr
Brian Adler
View profile of Brian Adler
Javier Aviñó
View profile of Javier Aviñó
Bilzin Sumberg has rankings in the following guides
Band 1
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