Representation for real estate development, land use, zoning and local government.

Jim Shimberg Law
Jim Shimberg Law
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VISIONARY LEGAL CONSULTING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PROJECT.

VISIONARY LEGAL CONSULTING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PROJECT.VISIONARY LEGAL CONSULTING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PROJECT.VISIONARY LEGAL CONSULTING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PROJECT.

  Jim Shimberg Law PLLC (JSL) knows that a clear strategic vision leads to successful outcomes.

VISIONARY LEGAL CONSULTING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PROJECT.

VISIONARY LEGAL CONSULTING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PROJECT.VISIONARY LEGAL CONSULTING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PROJECT.VISIONARY LEGAL CONSULTING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PROJECT.

  Jim Shimberg Law PLLC (JSL) knows that a clear strategic vision leads to successful outcomes.

CONTACT US

EMAIL

jim@jimshimberglaw.com

email

CALL

 813.293.1912

call

ABOUT JSL

  

Land use and real estate form the essential building blocks through which thriving places are built. Successful and forward-thinking land use, real estate, and government relations require expert strategy and experience. With more than 36 years of experience advising real estate owners, developers, and sports teams, solving complex problems, and gaining approvals on multi-year projects in Tampa Bay, JSL has a vested interest in bringing economic and social vibrancy to the area.

 

JSL specializes in exceptional client service from creative problem solvers for planning, negotiation, and regulatory approvals in high-stakes and complex development projects, among other nuanced, high-profile matters.


The firm is headed by experienced real estate professional and Tampa native Jim Shimberg, who has led legal strategy efforts on some of Tampa Bay’s most transformational projects for more than three decades and has now opened his own practice. Shimberg draws on his multifaceted experience in both the public sector as City Attorney for the City of Tampa as well as the private sector in leadership roles with the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the $3 billion, 56-acre real estate development project Water Street Tampa. JSL brings this arsenal of expertise on land use, real estate, and local government consulting to a select group of clients. 

JSL PRACTICE AREAS

LAND USE CONSULTING

  Entitlements, land use changes, regulatory issues, and general strategy considerations.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

   Public affairs strategy and crisis management consultation. 

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

  Land acquisition assistance and strategy considerations. 

PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS' PARTNERSHIP & PLANING

 New stadium or arena planning, public/private partnerships and revenue generating partnerships with governmental entities, governmental relationship strategies, community anchors relationship building. 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

 Business development, relationship building, and associate mentorship for law firms and other businesses 

MEET THE TEAM

JIM SHIMBERG, MANAGING PARTNER

  

Jim Shimberg brings over 36 years of experience in real estate development, land use, zoning, and local government representation to JSL.


Jim currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Ownership Group and Executive team at Strategic Property Partners, LLC (SPP), the developer behind the largest and most transformational project in Tampa’s history, Water Street Tampa. Water Street Tampa is a $3 billion, 56-acre mixed-use real estate development under construction in downtown Tampa along the waterfront, owned by Jeff Vinik and Seattle’s Cascade Investment, LLC.


In addition to his role with SPP, Jim has served as General Counsel and special advisor to the CEO for Vinik Sports Group, the parent company of the National Hockey League’s 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. He joined the Tampa Bay Lightning as General Counsel in 2013, recruited as much for his local real estate expertise and relationships in the community as his legal background. Jim later became the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for SPP, where he now serves as Senior Advisor.


Prior to working with SPP and the Lightning, Jim spent more than 25 years as a real estate attorney with Holland & Knight LLP. There he held several leadership roles including Executive Partner of the Tampa office, Practice Group Leader for the Tampa Bay Area Real Estate, and Land Use Group and Chair of the Firm’s National Land Use Initiative.


Jim also served as the Tampa City Attorney, where he helped manage all legal issues associated with Tampa’s hosting of the 2012 Republican National Convention. These experiences have given him an unparalleled depth of knowledge of the regulatory process in real estate development and land use in the Tampa Bay region. 


In 2011-2012 Jim served as an Urban Land Institute Rose Fellow as one of four representatives for the City of Tampa in a year-long collaboration with the cities of Kansas City, Mo., Oakland, Calif. and Providence, RI, learning about cutting-edge public private developments around the country. 


A Tampa native himself, Jim has a robust network of business and political relationships that span decades, bolstered by a father and uncle who were prominent developers and community leaders in Tampa. Following in their footsteps, Jim is also active in the community. He is currently serving as the Board President for the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, and on the Board for the Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation at the University of South Florida (CAMLS),  the Bob Graham Center for Public Service  at the University of Florida and the James & Amy Shimberg Foundation.


Jim is a 1981 graduate of the University of Florida and a 1984 graduate of the University of Florida College of Law, where he was a member of the Florida Law Review and Florida Blue Key. He holds the highest rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America guide (Land Use & Zoning Law, 2007-2011 and Real Estate Law, 2008-2011); Florida Super Lawyers magazine, 2006-2010; Corporate Counsel Edition, Super Lawyers magazine, May 2009, Legal Elite, and the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Power 100. He was honored as the Citizen of the Year by Tampa Connection in 2007. He is also a past chair and longtime board member of the Tampa Downtown Partnership and a former General Counsel of the Greater Tampa Chamber. 

Veteran land use planners John LaRocca and Allen Murphy from the Murphy LaRocca Consulting Group are available to assist JSL clients with their projects. Allen S. Murphy, AICP and John N. LaRocca have extensive training and professional planning experience in the areas of land use, zoning, comprehensive planning, and the assessment of impacts to private property.  

John N. LaRocca

Mr. LaRocca's urban planning experience has included work in the areas of comprehensive land use planning and land development code administration in both the public and private sectors. He has served as lead consultant in a variety of large-scale multi-disciplinary projects for the development community and associated real estate industry. Mr. LaRocca is a Past Chair and longtime active member of the Tampa Downtown Partnership since its inception.

Allen S. Murphy, AICP

Mr. Murphy's extensive urban planning experience has included zoning and land use planning services, site master planning, site development suitability studies and environmental planning. He has served as lead consultant in a variety of large- and small- scale multi-disciplinary projects for the development community and real estate industry. Mr. Murphy has been a certified member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 1984.

THE SHIMBERG PORTFOLIO / REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

$100 MILLION INFRASTRUCTURE AGREEMENT

5-ACRE FLOUR MILL ACQUISITION AND RELOCATION

5-ACRE FLOUR MILL ACQUISITION AND RELOCATION

Negotiated and gained City Council approval for a $100 million Community Redevelopment Agency {“CRA”} reimbursement deal for infrastructure improvements.

5-ACRE FLOUR MILL ACQUISITION AND RELOCATION

5-ACRE FLOUR MILL ACQUISITION AND RELOCATION

5-ACRE FLOUR MILL ACQUISITION AND RELOCATION


Negotiated the acquisition and relocation of a 5-acre flour mill from downtown Tampa to a location in the Port of Tampa.

ACQUISITION OF A MAJOR RETAIL ASSET

INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL RETAILERS TO THE FLORIDA MARKET

INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL RETAILERS TO THE FLORIDA MARKET

Successfully negotiated the acquisition of a major retail asset from international bankruptcy proceeding and settlement of complex litigation.

INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL RETAILERS TO THE FLORIDA MARKET

INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL RETAILERS TO THE FLORIDA MARKET

INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL RETAILERS TO THE FLORIDA MARKET

Represented several major national retailers with their initial entry into the Florida market, which has led to significant openings in the region and state.

SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Worked with the team to gain Florida legislative approval to create a special taxing district for Water Street Tampa.

HOTEL REZONING

SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Successfully handled the original rezoning of what is now the Epicurean Hotel property.

ACQUISITION OF PARCELS FOR WATER STREET TAMPA

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Successfully negotiated the acquisition of several key properties which are now a part of the Water Street Tampa development, including a critical parcel previously owned by a governmental entity. 

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOR LARGE-SCALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Successfully cultivated and maintained relationships with several governmental bodies and elected and appointed public officials for Water Street Tampa.

RELOCATION OF USF MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

RELOCATION OF USF MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

RELOCATION OF USF MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Worked with the Florida legislature and key stakeholders to relocate the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine into the Water Street Tampa neighborhood.

NEWS STATION REPRESENTATION

RELOCATION OF USF MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

RELOCATION OF USF MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Represented a major Tampa news station in connection with a new TV station and office building, TV tower, and helipad in downtown Tampa. 

OUTDOOR MUSIC AMPHITHEATER ENTITLEMENTS

OUTDOOR MUSIC AMPHITHEATER ENTITLEMENTS

OUTDOOR MUSIC AMPHITHEATER ENTITLEMENTS

Obtained entitlements for a large outdoor music amphitheater in Plant City, Florida.

RESIDENTIAL HELIPAD APPROVAL

OUTDOOR MUSIC AMPHITHEATER ENTITLEMENTS

OUTDOOR MUSIC AMPHITHEATER ENTITLEMENTS

Obtained approval for a residential helipad in Hillsborough County.

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL REZONINGS

DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI) AMENDMENTS

DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI) AMENDMENTS

Handled many successful rezonings for commercial and residential sites in the Tampa Bay area.

DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI) AMENDMENTS

DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI) AMENDMENTS

DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI) AMENDMENTS

Represented clients in obtaining DRI amendments for numerous projects in the Tampa Bay region.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS

NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Successfully represented clients in obtaining comprehensive plan amendments for many properties in the Tampa Bay area.

NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Served on numerous nonprofit boards and held several leadership positions over the last three decades.

JIM SHIMBERG PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Holland & Knight LLP

Holland & Knight LLP

Holland & Knight LLP

1984 - 2011 

Partner 1992 - 2011

City of Tampa

Holland & Knight LLP

Holland & Knight LLP

2011 - 2013 

City Attorney 

Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment (now Vinik Sports Group)

Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment (now Vinik Sports Group)

Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment (now Vinik Sports Group)

2013 - 2022


2013 - 2016

Executive Vice President and General Counsel


2016 - 2022

General Counsel 

Strategic Property Partners LLC

Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment (now Vinik Sports Group)

Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment (now Vinik Sports Group)

2014 - Present


2014 - 2018

Executive Vice President and General Counsel


2018 - 2021

Executive Vice President for External Affairs


2021 - Present

Sr. Advisor

TESTIMONIALS

"...a friend and an advisor to me for more than 30 years."

“Jim has been a friend and an advisor to me for more than 30 years. Throughout all of his professional endeavors, he remains intensely committed to our community. Jim sees where there is potential to achieve great things - and understands how to bring that opportunity to fruition."


- Bob Buckhorn, former Tampa Mayor 

"He is able to deliver in a way that is unique."

"I've worked with Jim on a number of high profile initiatives over the years. His generational knowledge and commitment to the wider Tampa Bay community is irreplaceable. He is able to deliver in a way that is unique.


- Will Weatherford, CEO of Weatherford Capital and former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives  

"...he's a game changer."

"It's rare to meet someone like Jim. He is sincere in his desire to be a part of the team and to do whatever he can to help. You want him on your team - he's a game changer."


-Bill Wickett, Chief Marketing Officer of the Nashville Predators and former Tampa Bay Lightning Executive VIce President

SHIMBERG IN THE NEWS

TAMPA BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2021/02/04/water-street-wants-to-expand-its-special-district.html


https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/print-edition/2016/01/08/power-100-jim-shimberg.html


https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/11/06/special-taxing-district-nowon-the-table-for-water.html


https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/blog/morning-edition/2013/04/tampa-city-attorney-departs-to-work.html


https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/print-edition/2015/04/10/jeff-vinik-s-c-suite-blends-new-blood-and-tampa-s.html 

ROSS CENTER FOR PUBLIC LEADERSHIP

https://danielrosecenter.org/people/jim-shimberg/

NHL.COM

https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/tampa-city-attorney-jim-shimberg-to-join-tampa-bay-sports-and-entertainment/c-665056

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU

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Copyright © 2021 Jim Shimberg Law - All Rights Reserved.


Email: jim@jimshimberglaw.com


Phone: 813.293.1912