Lowndes Expands Commercial Real Estate Team with Addition of Jessica McGinnis

Lowndes is pleased to announce that Jessica McGinnis has joined the firm's Orlando office as Of Counsel in the Commercial Real Estate Department. McGinnis brings nearly 20 years of experience advising businesses, developers, property owners, investors, and institutional clients on commercial real estate matters, with particular depth in leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, and development.

McGinnis represents clients across the restaurant and hospitality, healthcare, retail, office, and mixed-use sectors. Her experience includes representing national and international restaurant brands in leasing matters throughout the United States and advising an international REIT on leasing matters involving approximately 2.3 million square feet of Class A retail space and 900,000 square feet of Class A office space.

“Jessica brings an impressive combination of sophisticated leasing and development experience, an understanding of both sides of a transaction, and a practical business perspective,” said John Ruffier, Chair of Lowndes' Real Estate Department. “That combination will add meaningful depth to our real estate team and strengthen the counsel we provide to clients across a range of industries.”

McGinnis represents both landlords and tenants in complex lease negotiations and advises clients throughout the lifecycle of real estate projects, from acquisition and due diligence through development, financing, leasing, and disposition. Her experience includes assisting in the planning and development of a 400-acre mixed-use master-planned community encompassing residential, retail, senior living, institutional, and environmental uses. She will also contribute her real estate experience to the firm's recently launched Homebuilder & Residential Development Group.

“As a fifth-generation Orlandoan, I've known Lowndes and its reputation in the business and real estate communities for a long time,” said McGinnis. “I was drawn to the opportunity to join such a strong real estate team and work alongside attorneys across the firm. I'm excited to bring my background to Lowndes and help clients find practical solutions to complex real estate and business challenges.”

Prior to joining Lowndes, McGinnis practiced at BakerHostetler and a boutique real estate law firm. Earlier in her career, she served as Vice President and In-House Counsel for a property management company with more than 200 employees. Her in-house experience gives her firsthand insight into the operational and business considerations that shape clients' legal decisions.

McGinnis is a former president of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers and served on the Orange County Bar Association Executive Council from 2023 to 2025. She is also a member of ICSC and Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW).