Direct Telephone: (863) 284-2254

Direct Fax: (863) 284-2284

EXPERIENCE:

A Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate Attorney, Steve has had experience in a wide variety of business and real estate activities. Steve's concentration has been the areas of real estate transactions, land use matters, development, construction, and financial transactions. He has represented banks, credit companies, life insurance companies, pension funds and other institutional investors in consummating secured financing and equity investments in income properties. He has numerous transactions involving acquisition, zoning, permitting, development, and sale of retail shopping centers, mixed-use developments, residential communities, multi-family apartment complexes, and office buildings. He has negotiated and prepared sophisticated and complex acquisition, sale, lease, financing, and land use related documentation. He possesses extensive knowledge and background in DRI's, Comprehensive Plan Amendments and land use issues in development of residential, commercial and industrial projects. Steve has served as General Counsel to the Lakeland Association of Realtors for over 30 years and is past chairman of the Florida Association of Realtors Council of Local Board Attorneys. Steve represents numerous General Contractors in matters involving complex contract formation and related construction issues.

His practice would further include counseling corporate and private clients in business planning and transactions, estate planning, trust and probate. Steve has represented public utilities in connection with the acquisition and development of power plant sites including all land use and environmental matters and permitting together with construction and operations. Steve has represented both governmental and private property owners in significant eminent domain actions including the Lakeland Civic Center and the City of Lakeland / Orlando Utility Commission Joint Venture Project. He is a frequent lecturer on commercial and residential real estate and is an adjunct professor of Business Law at Florida Southern College.

BACKGROUND:

Steve was born in Athens, Georgia and raised in Lakeland, Florida. Following graduation from Lakeland High School he received his undergraduate degree with a major in Finance from the University of Georgia and his Jurist Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law where he graduated Cum Laude, was named Graduate of the Year, and served as Managing Editor of the Stetson Law Review. Upon graduation Steve served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Joseph P. Lieb, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Steve then returned to Lakeland, where he has engaged in the practice of law for more than 35 years. Steve is the second of three generations of his family who have practiced law in Lakeland, Florida.

EDUCATION:

• University of Georgia, B.B.A. (Finance, 1968)
• Stetson University College of Law, J.D., (Cum Laude, 1970)
  • Managing Editor, Stetson Law Review
  • Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
  • Outstanding Graduate, 1970
  • Moot Court Team
  • Who's Who Among American Law Students

PROFESSIONAL:

• Florida Bar
• Board Certified in Real Estate
• Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
• American Bar Association
• Lakeland Bar Association, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV
• Agent for Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund, Old Republic national Title, Chicago Title Insurance Company, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company

CIVIC:

• All Saints' Episcopal Church
  • 5 terms, Senior Warden
  • Member of Vestry
  • Chancellor since 1974
  • Chairman of Finance Committee
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Lakeland, Inc.
  • Past President
  • Board Member since 1975
• American Heart Association
  • Polk County Unit
  • Delegate to Florida / Puerto Rico Conference
  • President 2006 - 2007 - 2008
  • Chairman 2008, Heart Ball
• Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
• United Way