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James W. Shindell

Partner
305-375-6141
Area of Focus: Real Estate
  • OVERVIEW
  • EXPERIENCE
  • INSIGHTS
  • CREDENTIALS
GET TO KNOW Jim
Jim describes himself as a “deal junkie" who takes tremendous pleasure in his clients' success. Jim represents clients in the buying, selling, and financing of commercial real estate, as well as leasing. Jim has practiced for more than 20 years and is Chair of Bilzin Sumberg’s Real Estate Group. 

Jim has a deep admiration for his clients’ risk-taking and entrepreneurialism. He enjoys being an integral part of the client team and working to help turn the client's vision into reality. Jim has particular experience with development projects that require interplay of governmental requirements, architectural and construction demands, and community considerations.
Q & A
What do you think clients value about working with you?
I think they see just how committed our team is to their project.  I think they see how hard we work to know their business, needs, and concerns and I think they see how much we care. 
How do you view your client relationships?
I have the good fortune of having a relationship-based practice. I have worked with a number of clients for 15 to 20 years, and many have come to see me as an extension of their team and a trusted advisor, not just their lawyer.
My PRACTICES
Real Estate Restructuring Real Estate Acquisitions & Dispositions Real Estate Finance Real Estate Development & Construction Finance Retail
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
$600 Million Financing for Florida East Coast Industries
Representation of Florida East Coast Industries in closing a $600 million refinancing on behalf of ten of its affiliates, comprised of three related loans: (1) $400 million mortgage loan from Wells Fargo secured by 36 office, retail and industrial parks; (2) $150 million mortgage loan from Wells Far...
EXPERIENCE
Ground Lease of Biscayne Landing in North Miami, Florida
Representation of Oleta Partners, LLC, a joint venture comprised of affiliates of the Swerdlow Development Group and the LeFrak Organization, in the successful negotiation of the long-term ground lease of a 185-acre brownfields redevelopment site in the City of North Miami, and assisted with a compl...
EXPERIENCE
$280 Million Construction Loan for the 55-Story EPIC Hotel and Residences in Dow...
Representation of developer in obtaining a $280 million construction loan from Banco Santander for the EPIC Hotel and Residences, a mixed-use project including a 414-room Kimpton hotel, 342 condominium residences, and mega yacht marina on the Miami River.
EXPERIENCE
Waterfront Property Assembled for Luxury Condominium in Sunny Isles Beach

Creation of a unique strategy that enabled the developer client to buy out an entire building of time share units from over 100 owners on coveted waterfront property in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. The developer was able to assemble 6 acres of developable land for an ultra-luxury condominium proje...

EXPERIENCE
$146 million Acquisition of Brickell Key Office Building
Representation of public real estate investment trust (REIT) in $146 million acquisition of the Courvoisier Center office complex on Brickell Key in Miami's financial district.
EXPERIENCE
Acquisition and Disposition of Office Buildings for REIT

Representation of the Parkway REIT in connection with the acquisition of 21 office buildings across the Southeastern U.S. and the back-to-back sale of 18 of the buildings.

INSIGHTS
CREDENTIALS
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., 1979
    University of South Florida, B.S., summa cum laude, 1976
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami
    Past President of the Board
    Board Member
    Past Advisory Board Member
    The Florida Bar
    Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
    FSU Center for Real Estate Education & Research
    Executive Board Member
    St. Philips Episcopal Church
    Past Member of Vestry
  • Florida

  • Band 2, Chambers USA, Real Estate, 2006 - present

    The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 2005 - present

    Florida Super Lawyers, 2006 - present

    Florida Trend's Legal Elite, 2007-2010, 2013 - present

    South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyers, 2006 - present

    Daily Business Review, Top Dealmakers of the Year, Real Estate Finance, 2007; Hotel, 2010

    Real Estate Florida, Top Real Estate Lawyers, 2008

    AV® Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell