Rafael A. Paz

Partner

305-350-7235

rpaz@bilzin.com

Hablo Español

Area of Focus: Land Development & Government Relations, Public-Private Partnerships, Government Contracting

GET TO KNOW RAFAEL

Rafael Paz, former City Attorney for the City of Miami Beach, is a Partner in the firm’s Land Development & Government Relations Group where he focuses his practice on land use and zoning matters, government relations, and public-private partnerships. Rafael advises on transit-oriented and master-planned developments, and the negotiation of government contracts for infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships.

Rafael brings a deep understanding of the stakeholder and political dynamics that shape real estate developments from his ten year tenure with the City of Miami Beach, where he regularly counseled the City Commission and staff on all aspects of the City’s governmental operations and major capital initiatives, including the City’s convention center and related headquarter hotel project, workforce housing facilities, marina facilities, resiliency-related infrastructure projects, and mixed-use redevelopments.

Q & A

What do you find most rewarding about your practice?

My practice is dedicated to advising clients on all aspects of public-private partnerships, from the initial proposal stage to the negotiation and drafting of complex agreements, to post-award project execution and compliance. This ‘life-cycle’ approach to advising clients is rewarding because it is inherently collaborative and involves working with clients and their P3 partners to identify solutions and mitigate risks on a myriad of issues that could impact the viability of a project.

What makes Bilzin Sumberg’s public-practice partnerships practice unique?

One unique aspect of our P3 practice group is that we represent clients on both sides of the P3 ‘aisle’, whether it is a private developer seeking a ground lease of public property, or a local government using a P3 delivery model to advance its objectives. Working closely with both private clients and public clients in different jurisdictions throughout the State of Florida gives us a more nuanced understanding of how the various parties to a transaction may view or respond to any given legal, business or political issue. We bring that experience to bear to help our clients develop the strategies to successfully work through the issues to get their deals done and accomplish their goals.

EXPERIENCE

INSIGHTS

CREDENTIALS

Education

University of Pennsylvania, J.D., 1998

Florida International University, B.A., 1995
Bar Admissions

Florida

Languages

Spanish

PRACTICES