LAWYER PROFILE
Sara Bernard

Sara Bernard

USA 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Holland & Knight LLP

Practice Areas

Sara Bernard is a real estate attorney in the Orlando office of Holland & Knight. She handles a wide range of commercial real estate matters as counsel for developers, builders, institutional investors, and public and private entities.

Ms. Bernard has extensive experience in handling all aspects of real estate acquisition and disposition, development, leasing, management and financing. She is well-versed in advising on master-planned, mixed-use communities that include a wide range of asset classifications. She has advised on office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, hospitals, residential communities (including single-family, multifamily and senior housing), industrial parks, medical and technology clusters, sports and entertainment clusters, and other investment-grade properties in single asset and multistate, multi-property portfolio transactions.

Ms. Bernard's representative matters include:

advising the master developer and its affiliates in all aspects of a 7,000-acre mixed-use development of regional impact, including the development of a 650-acre health and life sciences park as a landmark for Orlando and a premier location for medical care, research and education

advising a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the acquisition of a senior housing portfolio comprised of multiple, nationwide assisted-living facilities valued at more than $245 million

advising on a cancer center owned by a public university that will house cancer researchers, clinical trials and treatments for patients, located next to a university teaching hospital

advising on an adventure-based water sports park featuring the first solar-powered water ski and wakeboard cable park in the world; the park also will include Central Florida's first inflatable aqua park, a 60-foot climbing tower with a ropes course and climbing walls, pro shop featuring equipment rentals and sales and an upscale café

advising on the redevelopment of a hotel and marina, located along 22 waterfront acres, featuring 30,000 square feet of event space, five onsite restaurants and a world-class, 127-slip deep-water marina to include the addition of residential units spread across two 11-story towers and more than 30,000 square feet of retail and office development

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar, Real Property and Probate Law Section, 2004-Present; City, County and Local Government Law Section, 2004-Present; Environmental and Land Use Law Section, 2004-Present

University of Central Florida Foundation, Board of Directors, 2016-2021

University of Central Florida Foundation, Executive Committee, Secretary, 2016-2018

University of Central Florida Alumni Board, Chair, 2016-2018, Executive Committee Member, 2014-2018

The Brain Foundation of Florida, Board of Directors, 2013-2014

Leadership Orlando, Class 86, 2013

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Real Estate - Florida: North & Central

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial
Sara Bernard has a strong practice representing major clients in large projects, including complex mixed-use multi-asset developments.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Sara is amazing to work with and always goes above and beyond for her clients. She is passionate about her work and will grind to make sure the deals get done and get them done on time. She also has a deep expertise in Florida real estate that has been invaluable.

    Real EstateChambers Guide to the USA
  • Sara thinks like an owner. I don't have to explain to her what is important, that is super helpful, we can focus on the key points of the transaction or agreement. We work well together, she knows what is important to me and I trust her to take care of legal matters.

    Real EstateChambers Guide to the USA
  • Sara Bernard is an amazing development lawyer. She has the diligence and expertise of a partner combined with the responsiveness and industry of an associate. She is amazing, every step of the way and her market experience and knowledge are second to none.

    Real EstateChambers Guide to the USA

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