On this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," Partners Miriam Soler Ramos and Andres Fernandez speak with Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Juan Fernandez-Barquin and Miami-Dade General Counsel and Chief Deputy Clerk Luis Montaldo about the sweeping operational and financial changes triggered by Florida's Amendment 10. The conversation covers the transfer of key county finance functions to the clerk's office and what it means to serve as auditor, accountant, investor and custodian of Miami-Dade's $13 billion budget. Mr. Fernandez Barquin and Mr. Montaldo unpack the often-overlooked aspects of the clerk's role that go beyond traffic tickets and jury duty: official records (deeds, mortgages, judgments, plats), Value Adjustment Board property tax appeals, commission meeting records and other functions that touch daily government and real estate transactions. They also touch on the clerk's modernization agenda encompassing expanding digital access, combating deed fraud and leveraging new technology and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools to facilitate online records access, as well as the challenges of implementing these updates within the constraints of legacy systems, multiagency infrastructure and funding limits.

On this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," Deputy Real Estate Section leader Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz sits down with Partners Joel Roberson and Andrew Siracuse to break down what the new year could have in store following passage of the landmark One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025. The conversation focuses on the often-overlooked implementation phase, in which executive agencies such as the U.S. Department of the Treasury fill in critical details through guidance and regulations. Drawing on deep Capitol Hill and lobbying experience, Mr. Siracuse and Mr. Roberson explain how stakeholders, including real estate owners, developers and hospitality clients, can effectively engage with the Treasury Department, White House and U.S. Congress to ensure the final rules align with legislative intent and business priorities. They also preview what to watch in 2026, including must-pass legislation and potential bipartisan vehicles and highlight key real estate-related provisions such as new bonus depreciation incentives, permanent opportunity zones and expanded low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) and New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), while warning that another reconciliation bill could revive revenue raisers like changes to 1031 exchanges, making early and strategic advocacy essential.

In this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," Real Estate attorneys Jorge Escobar and Tomas Castellanos sit down with Brian Pearl, principal and founder of Global City Development, for an informal look at the current state and future of the South Florida real estate market. Mr. Pearl traces his path from Wall Street equity analyst to Miami developer, explaining how navigating the 2008 financial crisis shaped his approach to risk, capital structure and deal-making. He describes why he launched Global City to focus on socially oriented, high‑design housing for the middle class and students, including workforce projects near Florida International University, financed with creative tools such as private activity bonds. The conversation explores how developers are managing higher interest rates, why discipline and deal‑by‑deal judgment are critical in the current cycle and how Miami's continued densification will require both spectacular luxury projects and attainable housing that supports a year‑round community.

In this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," Real Estate attorneys Pedro Gassant and Misch Cetoute break down the 2025 amendments to Florida's Live Local Act. They explain how newly added definitions of "commercial," "industrial" and "mixed-use" can unlock eligibility, even on properties historically zoned for agriculture, which enables administrative approvals at maximum local density and height when affordability thresholds are met. This conversation also clarifies what "mixed-use" means for professionals wanting to meet the requirements of the Live Local Act, as well as new provisions such as "YIGBY" (Yes in God's Backyard), which allows for faith-owned sites to seek approval for Live Local if 10 percent of their units are affordable. Mr. Gassant and Mr. Cetoute additionally talk about limits on using height bonuses and improved grandfathering of tax benefits.