Bilzin Sumberg Names New Practice Group Leaders for Real Estate and Corporate
MIAMI, FL – Bilzin Sumberg, one of Miami's leading commercial law firms, is pleased to announce that Partners Suzanne M. Amaducci and Steven D. Lear will assume the roles of Practice Group Leaders for the Real Estate and Corporate Groups, respectively. These appointments come at a time when both practice groups are handling some of Florida's most high profile transactions and developments, in line with Miami’s rise as a global destination for investment and commerce.
Partner James W. Shindell will remain as Chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, while Partner Alan D. Axelrod will remain Chair of Bilzin Sumberg's Corporate Group.
"Our firm's hiring philosophy embraces spotting talented attorneys in the early and middle stages of their careers and allowing them to grow into leadership roles through a combination of mentorship and real life experience," said John C. Sumberg, Bilzin Sumberg Managing Partner. "They are an extraordinary complement to our already strong firm leadership team."
Suzanne and Steven have been at Bilzin Sumberg for 17 years. During their tenure they have each been responsible for handling some of the firm’s most significant client matters and high profile deals.
Suzanne Amaducci has extensive experience handling all aspects of commercial real estate and finance. She is particularly active in acquisitions, finance and development of hotels, marinas and mixed-use projects. She negotiates build-to-suit, commercial and specialty leases on behalf of landlords and tenants in hotels, restaurants, mixed-use projects and Class A buildings, including single transactions in excess of 200,000 square feet. Suzanne also restructured more than $4 billion of debt secured by hotels during the recession.
Suzanne is an active member of the Orange Bowl Committee and Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW). Suzanne was the Co-Chair of the national CREW Network Convention and Marketplace, which was held in Miami in 2014. She served on the Board of Directors of CREW Miami for over 6 years and is a past-President of the organization. Suzanne is currently the Chair of Membership Services for the Orange Bowl Committee and has a leadership position on the Hospitality Committee. Suzanne is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association and the Coral Reef Yacht Club.
Suzanne is a frequent speaker at real estate and hospitality conferences and seminars across the country. For her accomplishments in the real estate industry and her prominent role as a female leader, she has been consistently recognized by legal and business publications, including Chambers USA, Real Estate Forum, The Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers and South Florida Legal Guide.
Steven D. Lear has an extensive 30 year corporate practice representing both private and publicly held companies in their major transactions. Steven specializes in sophisticated and complex mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures for local and national clients in a variety of industries including homebuilding, financial services, real estate development, technology, and investment funds. His national clients include homebuilder Lennar Corporation and investment funds Rialto and Och Ziff, with transactions valued up to the billions of dollars.
Prior to Bilzin Sumberg, Steven practiced at two prominent national law firms. He also headed the in-house legal departments at two major Florida agri-conglomerates - Vice President of Legal Affairs and Tax for Tampa-based mega-company, Lykes Bros., and Director of Legal Affairs for U.S. Sugar Corporation. As an attorney/CPA with an LL.M Masters in Tax Law, Steven brings a broad base of training, skills and value to clients.
Steven is an author and frequent lecturer in joint ventures and LLC law and recently served for five years as the Recording Secretary for The Florida Bar task force that drafted the new Florida Revised Limited Liability Act. He is consistently recognized by legal publications including Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America and Florida Super Lawyers.
“Miami has become a global destination for high-stakes investment and arguably no other firm is as equipped to support it as Bilzin Sumberg," said Albert E. Dotson, Jr., Bilzin Sumberg Partner and Executive Committee Member. “In their new leadership roles, Suzanne and Steven will be instrumental in providing critical counsel to both domestic and international companies looking to invest and/or expand into this market.”
Partners Javier Aviñó and José M. Ferrer will also be commencing new roles as Co-Chairs of Bilzin Sumberg's International Group, a role that reflects both partners' continued dedication and success in establishing Bilzin Sumberg as Miami's foremost authority on international law and an indispensable resource for international companies conducting business in South Florida.
Bilzin Sumberg is consistently recognized as a leading law firm statewide by publications such as Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America, and its attorneys as top-tier practitioners. Additionally, Law360 has selected the firm as a Florida Powerhouse Firm for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015.
About Bilzin Sumberg
Bilzin Sumberg is a commercial law firm based in Florida. Our core practices include Business Finance & Restructuring, Corporate, Environmental, Land Development & Government Relations, International, Litigation, Real Estate and Tax. For more information, please visit bilzin.com.
