THE EMPLOYER LAWYERS - Key Persons
For more than 30 years, Aaron Gorovitz's law practice has centered around large and complex commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate projects throughout Central Florida.
Aaron is often involved in site selection and due diligence, and is lead counsel in the procurement of Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs), transit-oriented development, comprehensive plan designations, zonings and other governmental approvals and entitlements. He also formulates public/private partnerships, and takes a lead role in the development, financing and leasing of projects.
Under Aaron's leadership, the firm's Land Use, Zoning & Environmental Group was involved in many of the most recognizable public-private partnership projects in Central Florida, including the Amway Center, the CNL Center at City Commons, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and the Orlando Citrus Bowl, to name a few.
Most often, he finds himself in the role of an all-around trusted advisor to some of Central Florida's largest developers and philanthropists. "It's a role that I am completely comfortable with," says Aaron. "I have always been committed to the success and development of my clients," he continues, "putting their agendas before my own. I try to do more listening than talking, so that I know what issues and concerns keep them awake at night." It is that allegiance to his clients that has contributed to Aaron's numerous recognitions - and the foundation for the relationships he has developed.
"I believe that my clients' trust extends beyond doing good work," Aaron explains. "It is a deeper, broader trust that is based on both professional competence and personal relationships, and I am forever grateful for that trust."
Chambers USA (2017)* reports that Aaron impresses with his handling of a broad range of transactional real estate matters. He recently advised home builder Park Square Enterprises on the $59 million acquisition, and subsequent financing, of 16 vacant sites intended for residential development.
In addition to his busy law practice, Aaron is deeply involved in his community. As the former chair of the Central Florida Partnership (CFP), he traveled to Washington D.C. with other CFP regional leaders last year to help advance Central Florida's growing industries: hospitality, travel and tourism, research funding and entrepreneurship. As a member of CFP's Core Strategy Group, he spent countless hours working side-by-side with community leaders to bring SunRail to Central Florida. Along with chairing the CFP's Transportation Task Force, Aaron chaired many of the CFP's committees addressing other key regional issues, including capital, homelessness and water, among others.
His long-time commitment to the community has also included involvement in a number of organizations, including serving on the board of directors for the Community Foundation of Central Florida, the executive committee of the Jewish National Fund and the American Diabetes Association's Father's Day Council.
Aaron has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the community, both in business and for his charitable work. He is always raising his hand in service with quiet strength and unwavering commitment.
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Lowndes Attorney
Adam Lewis focuses his legal practice on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, advising his clients on the acquisition, disposition, financing, development, and leasing of all types of commercial property.
Adam counsels real estate owners, lenders, and developers on a broad array of projects, including retail and shopping centers, hotels and restaurants, golf courses and other resort-related developments, office and medical office buildings, industrial properties, retirement communities, and vacant land. He also assists clients with a wide variety of matters related to commercial lending, title insurance, mineral rights, and the development of solar and renewable energy projects.
An experienced and creative problem solver, Adam regularly handles complex contract, purchase and sale, and lease negotiations, as well as the negotiation and structuring of credit facilities. Adam also routinely handles the review of complex title matters and title insurance matters to create workable solutions for his clients.
Before joining Lowndes, in addition to earning his J.D. from the University of North Carolina, Adam received his LL.M in EU and International Business Law and has assisted international investors and parties with their real estate transactions.
Experience
Represented clients in the acquisition, disposition, and development of more than $500 million of commercial property in 2022.
Job Titles:
- Appointed Chair of the Meritas Real Estate Law Practice Group
- Appointed Co - Chair of Florida Bar 's RPPTL Condominium & Planned Development Committee
- Appointed Vice Chair of the Florida Bar Condominium & Planned Development Committee
- Elected As Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers
- Shareholder / Chair, Multifamily & Condominium Group
Alex Dobrev works with investors, developers and lenders on the acquisition, disposition, development and financing of multifamily, condominium and other commercial real estate projects, often involving distressed properties. He has significant experience evaluating, structuring and negotiating large-scale mixed-use development projects.
Allison Gray focuses her legal practice on land use, zoning, and real estate development matters throughout Florida. She assists in representing property owners, developers, lenders, and other stakeholders involved in development projects, helping to address zoning-related issues and ensure compliance with regulations.
Allison graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she served as an Honors Writing Scholar, Executive Editor for The North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology, Vol. 24, and a staff member and published author for The North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology, Vol. 23. She was awarded a Certificate of Merit in Research, Reasoning, Writing, and Advocacy for achieving the highest grade in the class.
While in law school, Allison worked at the Domestic and Sexual Violence Clinic, representing clients in pursuing domestic violence protection orders and renewals as a student practitioner. Having served as a summer law clerk at Lowndes, she also externed at the Wake County District Attorney's Office, where she gained valuable litigation experience by trying matters and negotiating plea agreements. Additionally, Allison was a Psycho-social Behavioral Researcher for Jury-X, assisting in the selection of juries for civil litigation trials by compiling data on potential jurors, identifying jurors' likely biases, and analyzing their capacity to influence a panel.
In her free time, Allison enjoys studying theories of moral responsibility, exploring new culinary recipes, and maintaining an active lifestyle through early morning workouts and as an avid pickleball player.
Alyson Kendust is an attorney in the Corporate, Business and Tax Department, working out of the firm's Orlando and Melbourne offices. She primarily focuses her practice on sophisticated estate planning and complex estate and trust administration.
Prior to joining Lowndes, Alyson worked at a law firm in Bethesda, Maryland, where she handled a variety of complex matters related to probate and trust administration, elder law and estate planning for high-net-worth individuals. She also has experience representing restaurants and alcohol distributors in administrative hearings, beverage licensing and lobbying for various wholesalers.
Alyson earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Florida - Hume Honors College and her law degree, with a Certificate in Intellectual Property, from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. While in law school, she was recognized with Book Awards in both Advanced Trial Practice and Agency & Partnership. Alyson is also a Level 2 Sommelier under the United States Sommelier Association.
A Melbourne native, Alyson is active within the local community where she serves as a member of both the Brevard Zoo's Planned Giving Committee and the Melbourne Central Catholic High School's Advisory Council. She also volunteers with Brevard Family Partnership and Friends of Children of Brevard County and as a member of 321 Millennials, an organization that is focused on building the community and economy within Florida's Space Coast. In her free time, Alyson enjoys yoga, dancing, cooking, boating and taking advantage of all the outdoor activities that Florida has to offer.
A member of the firm's tax practice, Amanda Wilson concentrates on federal tax planning and structuring. She represents clients in a wide variety of complex federal tax matters with a particular emphasis on pass-through entities such as partnerships, S corporations and real estate investment trusts.
Specifically, Amanda focuses on advising clients on the formation, operation, acquisition and restructuring of such pass-through entities. In addition, she regularly advises clients on the structuring and operation of private equity funds, real estate funds and timber funds. Amanda is the author of the Bloomberg Tax Management Portfolio 718-3rd Edition, Partnerships - Disposition of Partnership Interests or Partnership Business; Partnership Termination.
Amanda regularly works in structuring deals to benefit from tax advantaged structures, including like-kind exchanges, new market tax credits, low income housing tax credits, qualified opportunity zones, and investment tax credits available for solar and other renewable energy. Amanda also has extensive experience in corporate planning and international tax matters, as well as federal tax controversy. Her practice before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) includes providing advice on audits and appeals, drafting protests and ruling requests, and negotiating settlements.
Prior to joining the firm, Amanda worked for Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP (now Eversheds Sutherland), an Am Law 100 firm in the Atlanta office, where she was part of Sutherland's Tax Practice Group. Amanda has also served as an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law where she taught Partnership Taxation.
Amanda regularly contributes to the firm's Taxing Times blog and is a regular panelist on tax webinars hosted by Strafford Publications.
Job Titles:
- Named President of the Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando
- Shareholder / Co - Chair, Commercial Leasing Group
Andrew Gluck focuses on commercial real estate transactions in the retail industry, among others. He provides his clients with technical and practical advice in connection with the acquisition, sale and leasing of commercial real estate of all types, including vacant land, shopping centers, entertainment complexes, office buildings, restaurants, hotels, and other retail projects.
In his practice, Andrew regularly assists clients in negotiating contracts for purchase and sale, performing due diligence, negotiating transfer documents and finalizing the closing of transactions. He has extensive experience handling the acquisitions and dispositions of large, multi-site portfolios throughout the United States. In addition, Andrew regularly assists clients with commercial leasing work, representing both landlords and tenants in retail, office, medical office and industrial spaces.
An Ohio native, Andrew has lived in Orlando since 2007 and is committed to serving the community that has become his adopted hometown. Recognized with the Leadership Award by The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, his community involvement includes service on the boards of several organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Jewish National Fund Orlando, Shalom Orlando and The Roth Family JCC.
Andrew Kelly is an attorney in the firm's Corporate Group. He focuses his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, financing and other general corporate matters.
Andrew also regularly works alongside the firm's Real Estate Group, and he has experience working with clients on a wide range of real estate matters including real estate transactions, development, finance, condominiums, commercial leasing, commercial lending and title insurance.
Prior to attending law school, Andrew worked as an alternative investment wholesaler for CNL Securities Corp., providing counsel and support regarding various alternative investments to financial professionals.
Andrew earned his law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he competed as a member of the Environmental Moot Court Team and served as senior articles editor of the Florida Journal of International Law. He received his undergraduate degree in applied economics from The Florida State University. While there, he served as an intern for both the Florida Senate in Tallahassee and the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
When not practicing law, Andrew enjoys fishing and playing saxophone and keyboard in an Orlando-based band.
Andrew Powell centers his practice on estate planning, business succession planning, charitable gift planning, taxation matters, and the administration of trusts and estates. Committed to addressing the unique needs of his clients, he serves as a trusted advisor, helping individuals and families preserve their legacy and secure their financial future.
With a focus on providing personalized, tax-efficient solutions tailored to each client's specific needs, Andrew excels in developing strategies that preserve and maximize generational wealth. He also counsels clients on estate planning considerations for closely held businesses, facilitating smooth ownership transitions and ensuring continued success for future generations.
In the areas of charitable gift planning and private foundations, Andrew advises clients on the formation and maintenance of private foundations, as well as the use of donor-advised funds and charitable trust structures that allow clients to make a meaningful impact on their preferred causes while optimizing tax benefits.
Andrew also provides valuable guidance and support throughout the probate and trust administration processes. His meticulous attention to detail ensures that estates and trusts are administered efficiently and precisely as intended by the decedent.
Brandon José focuses his practice on construction law, including both construction-related transactions and litigation matters. He assists in handling complex commercial disputes involving transactions, contracts, insurance, construction defects, and regulatory compliance. He works with builders, architects, engineers, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
Brandon earned his juris doctorate summa cum laude from Florida A&M University College of Law, where he was salutatorian of his class and Executive Articles Editor of the FAMU Law Review. He also received Book Awards for achieving the highest grade in Constitutional Law I, Legal Research & Writing II, Family Law, Asylum Law, Federal Practice, and Real Estate Law. Brandon received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of West Florida, where he was captain of the men's soccer team.
While in law school, Brandon served as a summer clerk with Lowndes, a federal judicial intern for the Honorable Monte C. Richardson, and a legal support clerk.
In his free time, Brandon enjoys collecting vintage watches, playing soccer, and running.
Encountering such a challenging legal process, clients across Florida have trusted Brian's guidance and representation in eminent domain matters for over 15 years. An experienced advisor is a property owner's best asset when presented with the unwelcome reality of governmental takings.
Every property (and its owner) is unique, as are the issues presented by each taking. Brian approaches each matter by listening to his client's story and seeking to understand their objectives. Only after that does he assemble a tailor-made team of experts to address the issues created by the taking and pursue the best outcome possible. Brian's mission is to protect his client's property rights and ensure that the government fully compensates them for the taking.
Brian has handled eminent domain cases for clients owning a variety of property types and uses, including:
Agricultural Land
Banks
Cellular Towers
Churches
Commercial Strip Centers
Condominiums
Convenience Stores
Fast Food Restaurants
Full-Service Restaurants
Gas Stations
Hotels
In addition to his work with commercial lenders, Casey also focuses a substantial portion of his legal practice on representing buyers, sellers, developers, and landlords of all types of real estate. He has represented all sizes of institutional lenders in commercial loan transactions ranging in amounts from $1.0 million to over $100 million and involving anything from very large multi-use condominium projects to small retail centers.
Experience
Represented a lender in a $25 million builder line of credit loan to The Viera Company for its lot development and home construction within the Viera Development, Brevard County, Florida.
Connor O'Brien is an attorney in the Corporate Group at Lowndes and works out of the firm's Melbourne and Orlando offices. He focuses his practice in general corporate and transactional matters.
Connor is a lifelong resident of Brevard County and a longtime volunteer with The Zazza Community Foundation's Jingle Jet event, which provides families met with undue hardship a holiday experience, including a flight to a local hangar decorated as the North Pole.
An avid reader, Connor created and manages a successful YouTube channel where he publishes video reviews of books, comics, and other works that he has read.
Crystal Espinosa Buit devotes her practice to providing skilled and supportive legal representation for clients going through complicated and often highly emotional family law matters, including divorce, child support, child custody, alimony and family law litigation. Crystal has significant experience negotiating and drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for couples seeking financial protection and peace of mind. Her clients include high-net-worth individuals, business executives and business owners, doctors, lawyers, professional athletes and other prominent professionals, as well as the spouses of such individuals.
A strong and compassionate advocate, Crystal knows every family is unique and no two cases are the same. She works tirelessly to find creative solutions that minimize conflict and suit each client's best interests and individual needs. A wife and mother of two, Crystal also understands the difficult decisions her clients face, and she works closely with them to keep them informed and supported as they navigate uncharted territory and make important choices for themselves and their children.
With her training and experience in collaborative family law, Crystal believes that most couples and families can benefit from avoiding lengthy courtroom battles by resolving conflicts regarding issues like shared parenting time, child and spousal support, and property division through alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law. When litigation cannot be avoided, she and the firm's other family law attorneys will zealously represent you and your interests in the courtroom.
Crystal is also a certified Florida Supreme Court family law mediator who helps parties to successfully resolve issues in a mutually agreeable way.
An Orlando native, Crystal is an ardent supporter of her undergraduate alma mater, the University of Central Florida. She currently serves on its Alumni Association Board of Directors and was honored with the UCF Jefferson Award for Constituent Chapter Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her generosity and service to the university.
Previously recognized by Florida Super Lawyers as a "Florida Rising Star," Crystal graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. While in law school, she was a member of the Florida Law Review and earned five Books Awards, including Interviewing & Counseling; Negotiation; and Family and Public Policy.
Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar since 1992, Dale Burket brings more than 40 years of legal experience and a particular expertise in managing complicated multi-site, multi-state real estate acquisitions, sales and sale-leaseback projects. Currently he devotes a substantial portion of his practice to complex projects involving the management of real estate, tax, environmental and land use issues.
Dale has represented real estate investment trusts (REITs) in connection with mergers, securitizations, portfolio purchases of income-producing properties, and sales of properties by taxable REIT subsidiaries. He also co-chairs the firm's Renewable Energy Group and has advised owners, lessees and developers regarding utility-scale solar farms and other renewable projects.
Over his career, Dale has negotiated and closed several thousand sale-leaseback transactions for restaurant REITS and partnerships, including portfolio acquisitions and sales with many of the top 100 national restaurant chains, as well as 1031 tax-deferred exchanges of restaurants in sales to private investors. He also has extensive experience representing business clients in the negotiation and closing of complex senior debt facility financings and he is particularly adept at the project management requirements of such transactions.
With an emphasis on client service, Dale has played a leading role in the firm's expanded commitment to partnering with clients on alternative and special fee arrangements that share risk and promote efficiency and collaboration. He has also been a long-time advocate for incorporating "green" and sustainable initiatives into his clients' projects, to both preserve the environment and to curb costs. He has written about sustainability issues in the commercial context, including "green" commercial leases, existing building retrofits, renewable energy sources, water conservation and Central Florida's growing public transportation infrastructure.
A lifelong musician, Dale's love for music combined with his college training as a music teacher have led to more than 15 years of volunteer involvement with the Florida Young Artists Orchestra (now a part of Central Florida Community Arts), serving as both a board member and three-term president. He also serves as a board member of the Winter Park Chamber Music Academy and is an Assistant Conductor for the Maitland Symphony Orchestra, a unique Central Florida community orchestra.
Job Titles:
- Shareholder / Chair, Real Estate Department
Dan McIntosh advises clients on acquisition, leasing and financing of real estate, title review and survey analysis, environmental issues and zoning, with attention to every detail of these transactions - from document preparation, review of title commitments, endorsements and coverages, surveys, closing statements, the closing process, and all the negotiating and documentation in between.
David Ederer has more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate law, with a particular focus on the negotiation of leases with national and regional retailers. He regularly represents both landlords and tenants in the structuring of complex and sophisticated leasing transactions of all sizes.
Over the years, he has represented a variety of landlord clients, from a New York Stock Exchange-listed real estate management firm to numerous local and regional developers. His representation of tenant clients has included negotiating leases and other agreements on behalf of many of the nation's largest retail and restaurant chains with major landlords, including the Mall of America, Disney World and Aventura Mall in Miami.
Prior to rejoining Lowndes, David was with a business law firm in Grand Rapids, Mich. He also served as a principal and general counsel for The Encore Companies, a full-service real estate development and management company. In his role, he negotiated leases with major retailers, structured corporate transactions, managed reporting and compliance for nineteen limited liability companies, and managed all legal issues involved in the development of more than 1.1 million square feet of new retail space within a three-year period.
Dave Peterson has experience accumulated over a period of approximately 36 years, handling real estate mortgage foreclosures, including foreclosures of hotels, apartment complexes, office buildings, retail property, and other types of commercial property, and in handling litigation arising out of the enforcement of security interests in personal property under the UCC.
He also has significant experience representing receivers in receivership cases, handling and litigating assignments for the benefit of creditors, and in defending lender liability claims. In addition, Dave has spent a number of years working on transactional matters related to his expertise in the area of finance. For example, Dave has experience handling the workout of problem loans and debt restructuring.
Further, Dave has a broad background in bankruptcy and creditors' rights, as well as commercial litigation, in general. He represents lenders, creditors and lessors in sophisticated Chapter 11 reorganizations and Chapter 7 liquidations.
Dave has represented creditors in negotiating Chapter 11 bankruptcy plans, as well as litigation concerning confirmation of bankruptcy plans. He has handled preference litigation, fraudulent conveyance claims, exemption litigation, and a wide range of other kinds of litigation arising out of bankruptcies, including appeals.
Dave has also spent approximately 20 years structuring, negotiating, documenting, and closing sophisticated financial transactions, such as mortgage warehouse facilities, repurchase agreement transactions, real estate loans involving special purpose entities, and revolving credit facilities secured by all kinds of personal property, as well as uniform commercial code transactions of all kinds. Many of these transactions have involved hundreds of millions of dollars.
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Andrew Kelly Author Trade Secrets Article for Orlando Inno
Job Titles:
- Alyson Hoffman Author Article on IP Audits for Orlando Inno
Job Titles:
- Professionals Leadership Development Group, Executive Board Member and Communications Chair, 2011, 2012
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Property Owners
A Virginia native originally with aspirations to become a journalist, Brendan Lynch fell in love with Florida and has made it his home since 2005. He represents both commercial and residential property land owners, as well as tenant business owners, in issues of property tax valuation and eminent domain/condemnation.
Brendan assists property owners throughout Florida with their property tax appeals, including assessment reviews, direct negotiations with county property appraisers, appeals to the Value Adjustment Board, and trial and appellate court proceedings. His clients include apartment projects, big box stores, national retail chains, condominiums, commercial strip centers, hotels, affordable housing, residences, student housing, vacant land, senior housing and all other commercial buildings.
With broad experience handling many different types of exemption applications, Brendan often assists clients from the application stage through challenges, to denial of any exemption, through trial and appellate court proceedings. These exemption applications include agricultural, conservation easements, educational, healthcare, homestead, military housing, non-profit, religious, and senior living.
Typically, the eminent domain cases involve a governmental entity (Florida Department of Transportation, county, city, expressway authority, or other state agency) or private utility with condemnation powers seeking to take land from the property owners. Interestingly, Brendan has also represented condemning authorities on special projects - bringing a perspective from both sides of the table.
Brendan's love for his adopted hometown of Orlando is reflected in his commitment to the community and its cultural diversity. A long-time advocate for the arts and past chair of the United Arts of Central Florida's Board of Directors, Brendan currently serves as a trustee for the Orlando Science Center and as chair of the Opera Orlando Endowment Fund. He has also served in leadership roles for the Adult Literacy League, the Orange County Teen Court, and the Heart of Florida United Way.
Experience
Achieved property tax assessment reduction for internationally-known hotel from $421 million to $259 million, resulting in millions of dollars of savings.
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chairman, 2022 - Present Executive Committee, 2022 - Present Board Member, 2022 - Present Inaugural Board Member Merger Task Force Member
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer