Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce three attorneys have joined the Real Estate Practice Group in the firm’s Tampa office. Derek Larsen-Chaney, Raciel Perez, and Josh Podolsky started with the firm as partners effective August 8, 2022.
The latest additions are a reflection of the firm’s continued interest in attracting top talent to its teams while also responding to client demand in what has consistently been one of the fastest-growing markets in the nation.
“Spencer Fane has maintained an intentional focus on Tampa and the Florida market as clients increasingly encounter a need for informed and efficient legal services throughout this region,” said Kirby McDonough, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in Tampa. “We are excited to add such a notable group of talented attorneys to our firm given their ability to handle complex real estate matters not only in Tampa but also throughout the firm’s footprint. Our firm continues to seek out measured growth that aligns with the identified needs of clients and our commitment to culture, and these latest additions reinforce the steps our firm is taking on both fronts.”
“Our team is excited to join Spencer Fane,” Podolsky said. “The firm has consistently rated at or near the top regionally and nationally in multiple legal disciplines, including real estate and finance, which align with our group’s core competencies. From a real estate perspective, Spencer Fane’s wide-range of expertise includes real estate tax, commercial leasing, environmental, eminent domain, construction, hospitality and lodging, private clubs, golf and resort transactions, and tax credit finance and opportunity zones. With more than 50 real estate attorneys throughout the firm, we are proud to expand the firm’s real estate team into Florida and continue building out a leading real estate group.”
One of the fastest-growing firms in the nation, Spencer Fane currently operates 22 offices across the United States, recently surpassed the 400 mark for attorney headcount, and continues to climb rankings as one of the largest 200 firms in the country. The firm has experienced double-digit percentage revenue growth for each of the past seven years while also being ranked among the top law firms in the nation for lawyer satisfaction.
ABOUT THE ATTORNEYS
Derek Larsen-Chaney, Partner — Larsen-Chaney handles complex real estate deals while helping clients and other stakeholders avoid unnecessary or potentially costly delays during and after the transaction. His strong background in the real estate industry is beneficial to his work on property transactions, which he can analyze from a business and legal perspective while understanding the concerns and challenges for all involved. This informed counsel comes from his experience prior to entering private practice when he worked as a closing specialist for a Tampa-area title company. Larsen-Chaney completed his undergraduate studies at Florida State University and earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law.
Raciel Perez, Partner — Perez assists regional and national real estate developers, homebuilders, owners, and investors through the intricate aspects of commercial real estate transactions. He employs a proactive approach to navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment and the potential transactional issues that come with building major subdivisions and other large commercial and residential developments. His deep understanding of the real estate industry enables him to knowledgably address clients’ top concerns while keeping an eye on market developments to help them remain competitive and maintain a position of strength. Perez completed his undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida and earned his law degree at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Josh Podolsky, Partner — Podolsky regularly represents buyers, sellers, investors, developers, property managers, general contractors and financial institutions in real estate matters and has a strong capability to handle title insurance-related matters throughout Florida. He also advises both lenders and borrowers on various types of financing mechanisms available to efficiently and effectively construct and finalize complex transactions. He regularly acts as local counsel to lenders and borrowers throughout Florida and issues legal opinions pertaining to loan transactions. With a wide-ranging business law background, he brings a practical problem-solving approach to his practice in real estate, commercial transactions, banking, finance, general business, and corporate and partnership matters. He is licensed to practice in Florida and Texas. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Tampa and earned his law degree at Stetson University College of Law.
