Leasing to the federal government can offer stable income, but landlords who overlook the rules may face costly surprises. Real Estate attorney Jeff Calk and GSA Leasing & Federal Real Estate Team Leader Gordon Griffin explain the fundamentals of federal real estate leases and highlight the unique requirements that distinguish government tenants from traditional commercial occupants. Drawing on Mr. Griffin's experience advising landlords, developers and real estate investment trusts, they outline six key principles ranging from mandatory government lease forms to SAM.gov registration and termination rights, underscoring the realities of working with a tenant that cannot be evicted. The conversation offers a roadmap for landlords, investors and real estate professionals seeking to understand the risks, requirements and advantages of doing business with the federal government.

Miami's office market rewards tenants who understand both the opportunity and the risks behind the region's growth. In this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," Real Estate attorney Alexa Duarte speaks with Savills Associate Natalie Valdez about the forces driving office leasing activity across South Florida and the strategies tenants can use to secure favorable lease terms. Drawing on examples from Brickell, Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, Doral and Wynwood, they explain how market dynamics, parking costs, operating expenses and lease negotiations can significantly affect long-term occupancy. This discussion emphasizes that in a fast-moving leasing market, tenants who engage experienced brokers and counsel early, maintain focus on the full context behind occupancy and negotiate strategically are best positioned to secure long-term value and avoid costly surprises.

Major cities have been competing for residents, investment and talent by pairing bold planning with predictable rules, and the District of Columbia is no exception. Land use attorney Kyrus Freeman and Washington, D.C., Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert discuss how the District is working to revitalize downtown, expand housing production and use public-sector tools to attract residents, companies and investors. Ms. Albert points to D.C.'s goal of adding 15,000 downtown residents by 2028, Mayor Muriel Bowser's affordable housing investments and the Gallery Place Chinatown Task Force as examples of how targeted planning, coordinated agencies and focused regulatory reform can help transform downtown into a more active mixed-use center for housing, entertainment and economic growth.

Los inversionistas y desarrolladores latinoamericanos buscan la seguridad legal para acompañar las oportunidades de negocio. En este conversación, Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz, socia y sublíder de la Práctica Inmobiliaria con sede en Miami, y Esteban García-Jiméno, abogado inmobiliario con sede en Colombia, comparten sus experiencias asesorando a clientes internacionales en relación con su entrada en el mercado inmobiliario estadounidense. Explican cómo definir la estructura de inversión, negociar el letter of intent (LOI) y el contrato final, y planificar la debida diligencia de manera efectiva. Asimismo, destacan la importancia de los plazos, la financiación y el title insurance, y analizan los principales riesgos a mitigar para ayudar a los clientes a ejecutar sus planes de inversión con mayor claridad y seguridad.

California's housing reforms have given developers new leverage, but they have not eliminated the legal and economic barriers to building homes.

In this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," West Coast Land Use and Environment attorney Kevin Ashe speaks with his fellow land use lawyers Daniel Golub and Ryan Leaderman about how state laws such as the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), Housing Element Law, State Density Bonus Law and builder's remedy have reshaped the entitlement landscape. They discuss the shift from years of discretionary local approvals and "creative groveling" to a more enforceable system, while noting that fees, construction costs, replacement housing requirements and continued opposition to ministerial approvals still slow production.

A successful business improvement district (BID) requires more than a strong vision; it needs the right mix of market conditions, political support and community trust. Land use attorney Kyrus Freeman and Soul of the City BID Founder Monica Ray discuss the formation of Washington, D.C.'s, 13th BID, which serves the Congress Heights, Washington Highlands and Bellevue neighborhoods in Ward 8. Ms. Ray traces the evolution of the BID from initial efforts in 2014 through growth into what it is now, plus how it received the name "Soul of the City." In doing so, she highlights the practical challenges of BID formation, including property ownership patterns, boundary decisions, petition requirements and the sustained outreach needed to persuade owners to invest in the future of their neighborhoods. This episode provides an insider perspective on community reinvestment and economic development.

Tax structure at acquisition can determine whether a global family's U.S. real estate investment preserves value or creates avoidable exposure for years to come. Real Estate attorney Shawn Amuial joins Private Wealth Services and Tax attorneys Sean Tevel and Logan Gans to discuss how global families should structure U.S. real estate investments before closing. They stress that investors who buy first and seek tax advice later often find themselves facing costly – yet preventable – issues such as estate tax and Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) exposure coupled with state tax noncompliance. Proper planning, they add, turns on core facts such as residency, intended use, holding period and home jurisdiction treatment. For real estate lawyers, early coordination between transactional and tax counsel remains critical to protecting clients' assets and avoiding mistakes that are difficult to unwind.

Growth initiatives throughout California municipalities demonstrate how local housing policy can change a city's map while also running up against statewide legislation. In this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," Los Angeles land use attorney Ryan Leaderman speaks with West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman about housing density, housing affordability, transit expansion and the tension between state mandates and local planning. Heilman points to West Hollywood's early rent control ordinance, inclusionary housing programs and support for affordable housing development as ways the city focused on opportunity from its founding, then explains how the upcoming K line extension and Senate Bill (SB) 79 could reconfigure where new development goes. He also describes how California's density bonus law and Housing Accountability Act introduce beneficial tools for local governments while also resulting in unintended roadblocks. This conversation highlights how local leaders manage growth while balancing competing interests.

When government offices shut down and need material or economic assistance after a natural disaster, a provision in Florida law can help developers protect project schedules. Real estate attorneys Erica Adams and Alessandria San Roman break down Florida Statute 252.363, a powerful but often overlooked tool that can assist developers when hurricanes, floods and other declared states of emergency disrupt permitting and construction. They explain what qualifies as a development order that can be extended under the statute and list the approval and permits that may be eligible, from certain building and environmental permits to buildout dates for developments of regional impact. They also point out key exclusions that can block an extension and highlight the practical mechanics of tolling and extensions, including how to calculate the paused time and how overlapping emergencies are handled. Ms. Adams and Ms. San Roman conclude by identifying common compliance pitfalls and advising developers to maintain calendar deadlines, review agency-specific requirements and file proactively to keep projects on track. ​

While Miami-Dade County development and South Florida's growing economy dominate headlines, just 40 minutes north lies another hotspot seeing a similar amount of success: Palm Beach County. In this podcast episode, Real Estate attorney Herman Lipkis sits down with Jordan Bargas, Executive Vice President of Development at Related Ross, for a forward-looking conversation on how Palm Beach is evolving from a lifestyle destination to a nationally watched growth market. After Mr. Bargas traces his path from Boca Raton to New York's Hudson Yards and back to Florida, he and Mr. Lipkis explore what "transformational development" looks like in practice: building an interconnected ecosystem of education, healthcare, mobility and entertainment that attracts employers, retains talent and propels long-term economic momentum. From investments in local schools and the Related Ross Foundation's community impact to the rise of technology and innovation hubs to the buzz around next-generation transportation such as air taxis, this episode offers an insightful lens not only on the forces reshaping West Palm Beach, but also the next wave of opportunity across Palm Beach County real estate.