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Commercial real estate attorney in Lake Mary and Orlando
Purchase and sale, leasing, due diligence and ownership structure for commercial property in Orlando, Lake Mary, Kissimmee and the surrounding counties.
Commercial real estate is where a business owner's largest asset and largest liability frequently sit in the same place. How the property is titled, which entity holds it, and what the lease actually says will matter far longer than the purchase price.
The firm represents buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and investors in Florida commercial transactions, and structures ownership so that the property is not exposed to the operating business and the transfer to the next generation has already been contemplated.
From the Lake Mary office the firm works on commercial property and leases across Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties, including Lake Mary, Sanford, Longwood, Winter Park, Orlando and Kissimmee. As a commercial lease attorney, the firm reviews and negotiates leases for both landlords and tenants before signature, when the terms are still open. For the clauses that cause the most trouble, read commercial lease pitfalls Florida business owners miss.
Talk it through
Consultations are available in English and Spanish, in person in Lake Mary or by phone and video.
Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
We respond to new inquiries within one business day.
Schedule a ConsultationCommercial real estate matters we handle
Purchase and sale
Letters of intent, purchase and sale agreements, contingency and inspection periods, financing conditions, closing coordination and post-closing obligations.
Commercial leasing
Landlord and tenant representation on triple net and gross leases, CAM reconciliation, escalation clauses, personal guarantees, options to renew, assignment and subletting, and exit rights.
Due diligence
Title and survey review, easements and encroachments, zoning and permitted use, environmental considerations, existing lease and estoppel review, and association or covenant restrictions.
Ownership structuring
Holding property in a separate entity from operations, spousal and multi-owner titling decisions, and coordinating the ownership entity with the estate plan.
1031 exchanges
Coordinating like-kind exchange timelines and documentation with qualified intermediaries and the client's tax advisors.
Disputes and defaults
Lease default, cure and remedy analysis, contract disputes, and negotiated resolutions before litigation becomes the only option.
Where commercial deals and leases commonly go wrong
The lease is signed as presented
Landlord-drafted leases allocate nearly every risk to the tenant by default. Most terms are negotiable. Few tenants ask.
The inspection period is too short
Due diligence periods that look generous shrink fast once title, survey, environmental and zoning review begin in sequence rather than in parallel.
Personal guarantees are not limited
A guarantee with no cap, no burn-off and no release on assignment can outlive the business it was signed for.
The property sits in the operating entity
Placing real property inside the company that signs customer contracts exposes the most valuable asset to the most active source of claims.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an attorney if I already have a commercial real estate broker?
A broker negotiates business terms and is generally not permitted to give legal advice. Contract language, title objections, entity structure and lease liability allocation are legal work, and the two roles are complementary.
Is a Florida commercial lease negotiable?
Almost always. Standard forms are drafted for the landlord. CAM caps, exclusivity, relocation clauses, guarantee limits, assignment rights and renewal terms are all common negotiation points.
Should the building be in the same LLC as my business?
Generally not. Separating the property entity from the operating entity is a foundational liability containment step, and it also makes an eventual sale or transfer of either piece far cleaner.
Can you review a lease before I sign?
Yes. Review before signature is the highest-leverage moment. Once executed, the terms govern for the full lease period regardless of what was discussed verbally.
How long does a commercial real estate closing take in Florida?
Timelines vary widely by deal. The driver is usually the inspection and due diligence period negotiated in the contract, plus lender requirements if there is financing. Title and survey review, zoning confirmation and environmental review can run in parallel if they are started early, or can stretch the schedule considerably if they are started in sequence. Your specific timeline should be confirmed against your contract and lender.
What does a commercial lease attorney review before I sign?
Rent and escalations, CAM and operating expense definitions and caps, the permitted use and any exclusivity, maintenance and repair allocation, personal guarantees, assignment and subletting, renewal options, relocation clauses, default and holdover terms, and what happens at the end of the lease. Most landlord forms are negotiable on more of these points than tenants expect.
What does a real estate attorney do at a commercial closing in Florida?
The work covers the purchase and sale agreement and its contingency and inspection periods, title and survey review and title objections, confirming which entity will hold the property, closing coordination and post-closing obligations, so the documents at the closing table match the deal that was negotiated.