Michael Emanuel Boutzoukas

I was admitted by the Florida Bar to the practice of law in September, 1989, and by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in October 1989. I became Board Certification in Real Estate Law as of August 1, 2009, which is the highest level of recognition of an attorney's competency and expertise in one or more of the 22 areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida. In addition to my real estate practice, I also provide general consultation and guidance in legal matters to small businesses. My peers in the Tampa Bay legal community call upon me to help them gain perspective on the best course of resolution when their client's transactional issues and pre-litigation disputes arise out of non-traditional situations or circumstances.

The focus of my Real Estate Practice includes:

• Representation of clients in commercial real estate transactions such as the purchase or sale of commercial facilities, plants, and income properties
• Representation of clients in residential real estate transactions, including short sales, and legal guidance to consumers in foreclosure
• Assistance to clients with legal issues arising out of the joint or common ownership of real property, such as division of ownership, partition or joint ownership agreements
• Drafting and negotiation of lease documents for landlords and tenants in commercial lease settings
• Review and negotiation of commercial loan documentation for property owners/borrowers
• Drafting and representation of commercial loan documents for lenders
• Appearances before municipal and regulatory boards
• Representation in court proceedings related to real property transactions and ownership such as breach of contract issues, foreclosure matters, landlord/tenant disputes and partition actions

In addition to my Real Estate Practice, I also represent clients in:

• Entity formation and entity governance for small businesses, including corporations, s-corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships among others
• Pre-litigation dispute review and counseling to avoid litigation
• Counseling clients involved in business transactions for the purchase and sale of business assets and operations from contract to closing
• Review and legal analysis of business contracts and procedures to identify and assist clients with the implementation of streamlined and effective procedures aimed at minimizing exposure to litigation