Akerman LLP is proud to announce that Spencer Crowley and Joshua Rinesmith have been named Co-Chairs of Akerman's Land Use and Development Practice. This nationally recognized practice advises a nationwide roster of real estate developers, landowners, investors, and lenders on the full spectrum of land use and development matters, including acquisitions, land assemblage, project and public finance, land use entitlements, development incentives, due diligence, and zoning and concurrency issues.
Crowley and Rinesmith succeed Cecelia Bonifay, who retired in November after nearly 26 years of service to Akerman's clients and the firm.
"Josh and Spencer are outstanding leaders who have been instrumental in moving our land use and development practice forward," said Akerman Real Estate Practice Group Chair Eric Rapkin. "Each has already made a significant mark in the land use and real estate world, and we expect them to continue on this impressive trajectory in the years ahead. "
Crowley joined Akerman in 2007 and is based in the firm's Miami office. His practice focuses on large scale land use and environmental permitting matters. He has worked with the Governor’s Commission for a Sustainable South Florida, the South Florida Water Management District, and Duke University’s Wetlands Center in the Florida Everglades. He has assisted clients in the land use permitting of major projects such as the Babcock Ranch, Midtown Miami, Village at Gulfstream Park, Miami World Center, and Brickell City Centre. He has also assisted clients in the environmental permitting of major projects such as Lauderdale Marine Center, Riverbend at LMC, and Fisher Island’s ferry terminals, as well as with major events such as the Miami International Boat Shows. Crowley's civic work includes serving as Chair of the City of Miami’s Waterfront Advisory Board, and as a member of the Biscayne Bay Commission, the Miami River Commission, the Downtown Development Authority, and as a gubernatorial appointee to the Florida Inland Navigational District.
"My practice has thrived substantially because of the support I have received from Akerman," Crowley said. "I am honored by this opportunity to pay it forward."
Based in Akerman's New York office, Rinesmith focuses his work on real estate development, with a concentration in land use and zoning law and related transactional matters. He advises property owners, developers, architects and engineers on New York City zoning compliance and the development potential of property throughout the city. He regularly appears before a variety of agencies having jurisdiction over development in New York City including the Department of Buildings, Board of Standards and Appeals, Department of City Planning and City Planning Commission, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the Environmental Control Board. Rinesmith was also recently named by Crain's New York Business as a 2022 Notable Leader in Real Estate.
"Our Land Use and Development Practice – indeed our entire Real Estate Practice Group – is world class. One of my goals as co-chair is to ensure that we continue to execute at the highest levels for our clients," Rinesmith said.
About Akerman
Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized among the most forward-thinking firms in the industry by Financial Times. Its more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and help drive innovation and growth.
Akerman's Real Estate Practice Group offers comprehensive and fully integrated project counsel services to clients across the United States and Latin America. With substantial industry experience and local market insights, the firm represents clients in complex real estate transactions and financings, development and redevelopment projects, public-private initiatives and litigation. Recognized as a national tier one law firm for real estate law by U.S. News - Best Lawyers, the group advises investors, developers, builders, lenders, retailers, owners and corporate end users, often in high profile matters.