Jon Chassen

Senior Counsel

305-350-7270

jchassen@bilzin.com

Area of Focus: Real Estate

GET TO KNOW JON

Jon is a transactional lawyer with a litigation background, and that makes him a powerful advocate for his clients. Jon has handled all types of real estate matters, including commercial real estate transactions, contracts, loan documentation and leases. He has represented lenders, purchasers, sellers, developers, landlords, and tenants in transactions such as the acquisition/sale, development and operation of warehouses, shopping centers, marinas, office buildings, and industrial property.

Jon also has extensive experience handling matters involving distressed real property assets, including workouts, foreclosures (representing borrowers, lenders and receivers in commercial property foreclosure actions) and the disposition of real property assets through and after foreclosure.

Q & A

What separates you from other lawyers?

My breadth of experience coupled with my litigation background gives me an advantage. There’s nothing like having to defend a contract in court to teach you what can go wrong and to give you insight when preparing contracts. I have a perspective and breadth of experience that few of my competitors have.

In addition, I tend to take my clients' matters very personally. I once had a client tell me he knew I was worrying about his deal more than he was. I take their concerns that seriously. My role is to ensure my clients are as protected as possible from future liability and risk.

How do you approach the practice of real estate law?

I prefer not to rely heavily on a boilerplate contract. I’ve seen what happens when other lawyers do — to the point of not understanding what a particular provision actually means, which can turn out badly. When I’m drafting a contract I frequently use tailored language that addresses the unique circumstances my client faces in clear, plain language, which not only serves the client better, it reduces the likelihood of future disputes which can arise from ambiguous language.

What keeps your clients up at night?

Real estate and the economy are always in flux. So many deals involve long lead times, whether they involve development and construction or acquisition of an existing project which the client wants to remodel or reposition. Clients who are doing well will now worry about what happens if there is a downturn. Of course, the flip side of that is a number of my clients do best in a downturn, because they can take advantage of it and acquire assets on favorable terms.

EXPERIENCE

INSIGHTS

CREDENTIALS

Education

University of Florida, J.D., Levin College of Law, Order of the Coif, 1980

Duke University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1976
Involvement

Commercial Industrial Association of South Florida
Member

Bar Admissions

Florida
Awards/Honors

- The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 2013 - present

- Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers - Government Relations winner, 2015

- Daily Business Review, Top Dealmakers of the Year - Mixed Use finalist, 2014

- Daily Business Review, Top Dealmakers of the Year - Hotels, 2013

- Florida Super Lawyers, 2012 - 2014, 2017 - 2020

- South Florida Business Journal, Heavy Hitters in Commercial Real Estate, 2011, 2013

- South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyers, 2011 - present

PRACTICES