Brian L. Bilzin

Founder, Counsel
305-350-2363
Area of Focus: Real Estate
"He's become something of a legal institution. He's highly respected and capable with a strong legal mind." - Chambers USA source
Brian L. Bilzin
Founder, Counsel
305-350-2363
  • OVERVIEW
  • EXPERIENCE
  • INSIGHTS
  • CREDENTIALS
  • PRACTICES
GET TO KNOW BRIAN
A founding member of Bilzin Sumberg with more than 40 years of experience, Brian's understanding of the real estate market and the South Florida business community gives him a perspective few lawyers have. His knowledge and experience allows him to provide strategic direction and input at the highest level.

Brian's deep commitment to the community has also become a foundation for the Firm's core principle of giving back to the community which has been so good to all of us. He has held leadership in numerous organizations, including Board positions with The Greater Miami Jewish Federation (Chair), The Jackson Memorial Foundation, and the I Have A Dream Foundation.
Q & A
How has Miami changed during your time here?
Miami has exploded and become one of the great international cities of the world.  Men and women from all over the world visit Miami as tourists.  Many people born outside the United States make Miami their home.  The blend of Americans with people from elsewhere has given Miami a unique charm and character.
Why should clients hire a lawyer from Bilzin Sumberg?
We have assembled a group of incredibly talented lawyers who care deeply about the quality of their representation and how to achieve results for their clients.  Our lawyers collaborate with each other, and, we believe, achieve better results for the client.
What new developments do you see that might impact your clients?
Because Miami is an international city, it becomes even more important to focus on world events and their impact on the economy of our community.  It requires day to day attention on a quickly changing world.
EXPERIENCE
Experience
Representation of majority shareholder and senior executives of LNR Property Corporation, then an NYSE company, in the $3.8 billion acquisition of LNR Property Corporation by LNR Property Holdings Ltd., an entity controlled by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. Our clients retained a 25% interest in ...
Experience
Representation of joint venture comprised of two former NYSE companies in $1 billion acquisition by merger of The Newhall Land & Farming Company, former owner of 47,000 acres of land in several states including California. We handled the corporate restructuring of the acquisition and financing v...
Experience
Handled billions of dollars in distressed debt related to modifications, extensions, forbearances, discounted payoffs, and deeds in lieu of foreclosure.
Experience
Representation of LNR Partners, the largest special servicer of commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) loans in the country. LNR services 145 pools of CMBS loans, totaling more than $220 billion in principal and relating to real property interests in all fifty states. We have handled over $4.2...
Experience
Representation of LandSource Communities Development, a strategic joint venture between Lennar Corporation, LNR Property Corporation, and approximately 50 related subsidiaries and affiliates, in the negotiation, structuring, and closing of a $3.5 billion investment, joint venture, and refinancing tr...
Experience
Representation of national homebuilder in acquisitions of several homebuilding companies, including ones located in Florida, California, and Illinois, with hundreds of millions of dollars in transaction values.
INSIGHTS
Publication June 24, 2016
If you're in Miami real estate, you surely know Bilzin Sumberg. But if you're a non-lawyer, you may think of them just vaguely as an undifferentiated lump of smart people who "do whatever lawyers do."
Speaking Engagement November 14, 2014
Brian L. Bilzin participates in an in-depth panel at Urban Land Institute's Miami Condo Symposiumfeaturing the most successful and recognized real estate professionals in South Florida and the country exposing and analyzing various trends, forecasts and opportunities in Miami’s evolving real e...
Speaking Engagement February 8, 2013
Brian L. Bilzin participates as a panelist in the Dade County Bar Association Bench & Bar Conference, the largest legal conference of the year in South Florida.This popular program features 124 prominent and experienced judges, attorneys, and business leaders.
Speaking Engagement October 11, 2012
Brian L. Bilzin shares his knowledge and insights on the art of networking and the lessons learned throughout his very successful career at theGreater Miami Jewish Federation Professional Advisory Committee Speaker Series.
CREDENTIALS
  • Boston University, J.D., Editor, Boston University Law Review, 1970
    University of Michigan, B.A., 1967
  • Greater Miami Jewish Federation
    Chair of the Board, 2012 - 2014
    General Campaign Chair, 2012
    Board Member, 2000 - Present
    I Have a Dream Foundation
    Board Member
    Jackson Memorial Foundation
    Former Board and Executive Committee Member
    Mt. Sinai Hospital
    Founder
    United Way Miami
    Trustee
  • Florida
    New York
  • - Chambers USA, Real Estate, Band 1, 2003 - 2021; Senior Statesman, 2022 - present

    - American Jewish Committee, Judge Learned Hand Award, 2018

    - The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 1999 - present

    - The Best Lawyers in America, Miami Lawyer of the Year, Real Estate Law, 2019

     - Bisnow, Miami Power 50 - The Most Influential Players in Commercial Real Estate, 2016

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

    - Florida Trend's Legal Elite, 2001 - 2012; 2017

    - Top 100 Miami Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Super Lawyers, 2010 - present

    - Florida Super Lawyers, 2006 - present

    - South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyers, 2003 - present

    - South Florida Business Leader, The Power Issue: The Leaders of South Florida Business, 2009

    - AV® Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell