BRIAN C. CHASE, Attorney

Contact Brian:
phone: 813-814-0700
email:brian@tampabizlaw.com

Brian has experience representing individuals and businesses in real estate, debtor/creditor, bankruptcy and commercial matters, including entity selection and formation, drafting and negotiating contracts, real estate and loan closings, short sales, purchase contract disputes, commercial litigation, foreclosure defense, evictions, land use and zoning matters, and preparing purchase and sale agreements. Prior to joining the firm, Brian was an associate with Phelps Dunbar LLP’s Tampa office where he practiced in the Business and Transactional Group. Before attending law school, Brian was a structural engineer with Long and Associates in Tampa, Florida, where he was responsible for the design of structural steel connections in medium to large scale commercial buildings.

Education

Stetson University College of Law; J.D., Cum Laude, 2005; Recipient of the William F. Blews Pro Bono Award; Appointed as Dean’s Fellow two years.

University of South Florida; B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1999.

Membership Affiliations

• The Florida Bar.
• The Hillsborough County Bar Association.
• Bay Area Real Estate Council.
• Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Representative Matters

Real Estate

Assisted in the preparation of mixed use condominium documents for filing with the Florida Division of Land Sales, Condominiums and Mobile Homes.

Prepared and filed Interstate Land Sales Act (ILSA) documents with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Assisted many home sellers in short sale transactions.

Routinely negotiated and drafted lot takedown agreements for a regional homebuilder.

Represented commercial developer in the negotiation and drafting of commercial strip center out parcel purchase and sale agreements.

Reviewed and negotiated the terms of a construction loan for the construction of an apartment complex.

Represented developers and property owners in a variety of land use and administrative proceedings, including right of way vacations, alcoholic beverage special use permits, and re-zonings.

Serve as an appointed title agent for Attorneys' Title Fund Services (a title insurance company).


General Business

Routinely assist clients with entity selection issues and filing of charter documents with the Florida Secretary of State.

Regularly draft limited liability company operating agreements, articles of organization and meeting minutes.

Regularly draft shareholder agreements, articles of incorporation, bylaws and meeting minutes for small to mid-sized S-corporations.

Represented a construction equipment company in several asset purchase transactions.

Represented homeowners' association in negotiations with the City of Tampa for closing a through-road under shared control.


Commercial Litigation

Over the past year, have represented clients in three trials and one arbitration, all involving real estate matters and/or property claims.

Routine representation of clients in a variety of real estate and commercial litigation matters including commercial landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosure proceedings, construction litigation, earnest money deposit disputes and debt collection actions.

Represented a local pharmacy in the litigation and resolution of a claim by a Fortune 500 company.

Represented out of state developer regarding issues associated with SWFWMD compliance and potential litigation from adjoining property owners.

Represented client in property damage claim in Federal Court involving six figure claim.

Represented local landlords in the prosecution of evictions.

Represented condominium developer against State of Florida seeking refund of over $1,000,000 in sales tax.

Represented structural engineer in defense of negligent design of factory facility’s cooling system load bearing elements.

Represented commercial developer in claim against engineer for negligent design of faade of high rise.


Bankruptcy

Represent individuals and companies in Chapter 7, 11 (creditor and adversary proceeding representation only) and 13 proceedings.

Represented debtors in diverse adversary proceeding litigation.