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Gary M. Kaleita

Partner

Practice Areas

• Real Estate Transactions, Development and Finance
• Hotel and Resort Development
• Commercial Leasing
• Title Insurance and Litigation

Education

• University of Florida College of Law, J.D., 1982 cum laude, Order of the Coif, Phi Kappa Phi, Book Award - Legislation, Legal Research & Writing Fellowship Instructor, Appellate Advocacy Fellowship Instructor
• University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 1976

Admitted

• The Florida Bar - 1983
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida - 1983

Recognition

• Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV
• Military Service: Patrol Gunboat Squadron 21, Naples, Italy, 1976-1977, USS Graham County, AGP-1176, Disbursing Officer, Assistant Supply Officer, U.S. Naval Communication Station, Nea Makri, Greece, 1977-1980, U.S. Naval Reserve, 1980-1983
• Selected for inclusion in 2006-2008 Florida Super Lawyers

Professional Certification, Memberships and Activities

Professional Associations
Seminole County Bar Association
The Florida Bar
American Bar Association
U.S. Navy Patrol Gunboat Association
U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation
Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando
Professional Certifications
Board Certified: Real Estate Law, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education - 1993

Community Activities

University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club of Central Florida, Board of Directors
Willow Creek Presbyterian Church
Wingfield North HOA, Inc., Director/Vice President

Publications and Lectures

Speaker, Lorman Educational Services: "Law of Easements: Legal Issues and Practical Considerations in Florida," and "Commercial Lending Requirements and Loan Documentation in Florida"
Real Estate and Business Law Columist, The Oviedo Voice
Contributing Author, Mondaq.com

Representative Client Experience

• Handled purchases, sales and financings of numerous multi-family apartment projects in Florida for McKinley Associates; prepared contract for purchase, performed due diligence and handled expedited closing on purchase of $5 million “Ramada Suites at Tango Bay” hotel out of foreclosure; handled closing and issuance of title insurance for $23 million bond financing of 500+ unit Monterey Lake Apartments in Orlando with Florida Housing Finance Agency.
  
• Represented numerous out-of-state lenders making commercial loans secured by Florida real estate; drafted and negotiated loan documents; coordinated and conducted lenders' due diligence activities, including title and survey review; negotiated legal opinions; conducted loan closings.
  
• Prepared Contracts for Purchase, performed due diligence, negotiated loan documents and closed on numerous land acquisitions by ABD Development Company in Central Florida, including $30 million 2,200-acre Providence Development of Regional Impact (DRI) in Polk County; also handled development issues, prepared Contracts for Sale to major homebuilders, issued title insurance and prepared Master Declaration of CCR’s and Master Homeowners’ Association (HOA) documents; closed two multi-million dollar lines of credit from Israeli Bank for development of Providence DRI, and Vizcaya Planned Development (PD) in Orange County.
  
• Handled purchase, sale and financing transactions involving numerous residential developments by Park Square Homes in Central Florida, including (i) acquisition and financing of $7 million 100-acre parcel at Lake Nona DRI for construction of 700 homes, (ii) acquisition, partial flip and development of Belmere PD in West Orange County, and (iii) acquisition and financing of 52-acre parcel in Reunion DRI & Community Development District (CDD) for construction of 190 homes; also handled platting, formation of HOA’s, preparation of Declarations of CCR’s and development issues for numerous residential projects.
  
• Handled purchases, development issues, loan closings and sales associated with Westyn Bay PD in Ocoee (500 Lots on 375-acres adjoining Lake Apopka) and Legacy Park PD in Polk County (1,500 Lots on 280-acres) on behalf of Avanti Investment Advisors, including negotiation of contracts for sale of lots to homebuilders, and issuance of title insurance.
  
• Handled sale by Riverwood Properties of 120-acre parcel in Osceola County to Pulte Homes for $7.3 million, including structuring of sale as 1031 exchange, drafted/negotiated various cross-easement and development agreements, and handled issuance of title insurance.
  
• Negotiated and closed sale of apartment project in Winter Park from 389 Associates to Rollins College as a 1031 exchange, and handled contract preparation, due diligence, closings and assumptions of mortgages in connection with purchases of 3 shopping centers in Orlando, Jacksonville and Gainesville utilizing proceeds from 1031 exchange.