Jeffrey Bercow

Practice Areas

Local and State Real Estate Permitting and Licensing

Zoning Approvals

Amendments of Local Government Comprehensive Plans

Concurrency and Environmental Matters

Developments of Regional Impacts

Due Diligence Reviews

Growth Management

Career

Jeffrey Bercow is a founding force behind one of South Florida’s most influential land use and zoning law firms and a central figure in shaping the modern development landscape of Miami-Dade County. With more than 40 years of experience, his work has helped define how and where the region grows—guiding transformative projects, public policy, and the legal frameworks that underpin them.

As co-founder of the firm in 1996, Jeff built a practice that has become synonymous with complex land use strategy, entitlement execution, and results at the highest levels of government decision-making. He represents leading developers, institutional investors, landowners, and lenders in matters that demand both technical mastery and strategic judgment. His practice spans all aspects of real estate entitlements and permitting, including zoning approvals, comprehensive plan amendments, developments of regional impact (DRIs), growth management, concurrency, environmental matters, and high-level due diligence. He is widely regarded for his ability to navigate the intersection of law, politics, and urban development—advancing projects that shape entire communities.

Jeff’s professional recognition reflects a career at the top of the field. He has been consistently ranked by Chambers USA as a leading zoning and land use attorney and named among The Best Lawyers in America for nearly two decades. The Legal 500 United States has recognized him as a leading land use lawyer since 2004 and inducted him into its “Hall of Fame” in 2019. He has been named “Miami Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year” multiple times and was honored by the Dade County Bar Association as the County’s Top Zoning and Land Use Attorney in both 2017 and 2024.

Beyond his practice, Jeff has played a sustained leadership role in the civic and policy arenas that shape South Florida’s growth. He served for 18 years on the Board of the Miami Downtown Development Authority, including approximately a decade as Vice Chairman, where he helped guide the evolution of downtown Miami during periods of significant transformation. His service has also included the Miami Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Downtown Miami Community Development Corporation.

A recognized voice in transportation, infrastructure, and growth management policy, Jeff has chaired the Metropolitan Dade County Transportation, Infrastructure and Concurrency Task Force and led the Expressway Authority Committee of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Through his longstanding leadership within the Builders Association of South Florida, he has helped influence key initiatives related to the impact fees, school siting, and infrastructure planning, and has represented the industry before joint governmental bodies addressing regional growth challenges. He currently serves as BASF’s representative on the Miami-Dade County Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) 2026 Task Force.

At the state level, Jeff was appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs to serve on Florida’s Transportation and Land Use Study Committee, contributing to policy at a statewide scale.

Throughout his career, Jeff has remained deeply committed to community service, including his longstanding involvement with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, where he is a past Chair of the Attorneys’ Division and continues to lead the firm’s pro bono efforts supporting the Federation and its affiliated organizations.

As a founder, practitioner, and civic leader, Jeff’s legacy is measured not only in the projects he has advanced, but in the legal and policy frameworks that continue to shape South Florida.

Professional Memberships

Downtown Development Authority, former board member and Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors

Metropolitan Dade County Transportation, Infrastructure and Concurrency Task Force, Former Chairman

State of Florida’s Transportation and Land Use Study Committee, Former Member