Jennifer Drake is a highly accomplished real estate attorney and a Vice
Chair of Becker’s Public, Private Partnerships (P3) practice group.
Jennifer’s practice focuses on commercial transactions which range from
planned project development, including creation of condominiums, mixed
used developments, townhome developments and single family
developments, condominium conversions, public-private partnership
transactions (P3), which includes representing municipalities, higher
education institutions and private parties; real estate contract
negotiation, mortgage and asset based financing for both financial
institutions and borrowers, commercial leases, ground leases;
preparation of joint venture agreements for real estate transactions, as
well as real estate workouts and liquidation of real estate owned (REO)
properties for financial institutions.
Jennifer has extensive real estate experience and has represented clients
in many high profile projects throughout the state of Florida as well as
nationally. Jennifer is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the
highest professional rating based on years of experience and
endorsement by Florida lawyers in the areas of professional ability, ethics
and conduct.
Jennifer’s practice emphasizes handling all aspects of planned project
development (including the acquisition stage, which may entail
negotiation of purchase contract, DRI, zoning issues, and environmental
due diligence); planning stage of the project, drafting of the project
documents, and State registrations as necessary, supervising the closings
on the sale of the end units, the representation of the developercontrolled
boards and representation of developer through turnover of
control of the association; the purchase and sale of fractured
condominiums, and termination of condominiums. Additionally, her real
estate experience emphasizes P3 transactions which runs the spectrum of
negotiating, drafting land leases, management and operating
agreements, for higher education institutions, municipalities as well as
the private sector. She also handles complex multi-party transactions
from negotiating real estate joint ventures to multi-party transactions as
to the purchase or sale, financing, and negotiation of commercial leases
and title for the private sector. Jennifer represents national, regional and
state financial institutions in the areas of documentation for both real
estate and asset based financing, loan modifications and in the
restructuring/refinancing of multi-million dollar loan transactions, as well
as disposition of REO properties.
EXPERIENCE
Acted as co-lead counsel for the Louisiana State University Property
Foundation’s public/private partnership development (P3) called the
Nicholson Gateway Project, the largest development project in the
history of LSU, featuring a multi-phased bundled package of facilities
with a total estimated development budget of $400 million.
Representing Premier Water Parks, Inc. in a P3 transaction with the
City of Fort Lauderdale in the redevelopment of the Lockhart
Stadium and surrounding property to include, but not be limited to, a
refurbished stadium and water park.
Representing Nova Southeastern University in Student Housing
Project.
Represented Carrie Meek Foundation in formation of a joint venture
with Foundry to develop property subject to a ground lease from
Miami-Dade County located at the Opa-Locka Airport, on which an
Amazon Distribution Center is being constructed.
Represented Bethune-Cookman in P3 type transaction involving the
sale/leaseback of land for the construction of a new student housing
project on campus.
Represented the City of South Miami in P3 matters.
Represented KB Holdings Inc., in the negotiation of a ground lease
with the City of Hollywood for beach front property to be developed
as a hotel.
Represented high end fashion designer in lease negotiations in
Miami Design District.
Represent Rogers International, Inc., in drafting of condominium
documents for two mixed-used developments in Coral Gables, Florida
Represent private developer in the development of a large mixed-use
project in central Florida consisting of retail space, hotel space,
condominiums, rental apartments and parking facilities developed in
multiple phases.
Represented TD Bank in construction loans, real estate based loans,
asset based loans, loan modifications, and loan workouts to various
borrowers.
Represented purchaser of a beachfront home for $17 million.
Represented purchaser/borrower in $6.3 million purchase of hotel
property in Broward County, obtaining franchise agreement and loan
transaction.
Represented purchaser/developer in purchase of hotel condominium
in Orange County, Florida.
Drafted Condominium Documents and Interstate Land Sales Act
(ILSA) filing for Turnberry Ocean Club.
Represents hotel unit owner at Fontainebleau.
Represents regional banks Florida Community Bank and Banco Do
Brazil in real estate and asset-based loan transactions.
Represents Willton Properties LLC in the negotiation of a joint
venture agreement with Bainbridge for the development of a rental
housing apartment complex in Tampa, FL.
Represents developer in bulk purchase, loan modification and
termination of large condominium development.
Represented owner in purchase of Universal Music building in Miami
Beach.
Represented Epic West Condo LLC in the sales, closings for units and
developer-controlled board at the Epic in Miami, Florida.
Represents Lynx Zuckerman Holding Company, LLC in acquisitions
of properties, sales of properties, drafting bulk contracts, homeowner
documents and other general developer-related representation.
Represented developer in termination of a 186-unit condominium on
the West Coast of Florida.
Negotiated ground lease sites for client Simoes Properties, with CVS, McDonalds and Wawa.
Represents Penn Dutch Foods in commercial leases.
RECOGNITION
Ms. Drake was recognized by the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance for
outstanding community leadership and featured in the 2018 “Real Estate
Opportunities” chapter of its annual Economic Sourcebook and Market
Profile.
Jennifer has also been named to the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of
Preeminent Women Lawyers in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards as
well as being AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
PROFESSIONAL / COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Ms. Drake is a regular speaker at national and regional P3 conferences, is
a member of the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar, and The Real
Property, Probate and Trust Sections of both the Florida Bar and the
American Bar Association and the International Council of Shopping
Centers (“ICSC”).
Jennifer is on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for
Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, she is also a member of Leadership
Committee; past President of Leadership Broward Foundation and
currently sits on the Board of Directors, is a member of Broward
Women’s Alliance, and sits on the Advisory Board of the Fort Lauderdale
International Film Festival.
She has also served on the Board of Directors for Kids Crusaders for
Abused Children, One Room Schoolhouse and Cancer Research Network.
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