Experience
Drew represents developers and investment firms in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions — from acquisitions and dispositions to development, leasing, and financing. Drew also serves as outside general counsel to closely held entities, providing advice on such matters as entity formation, drafting of organizational documents, and negotiation of shareholder agreements.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, Drew began his legal career in the real estate group of an Atlanta-based international law firm. There, he represented a leading multinational telecommunications company in its real estate negotiations.
Representative Experience
- Lead counsel for a developer in the acquisition and development of a Publix-anchored shopping center in Baldwin County, Georgia.
- Lead counsel for a developer in the redevelopment of a Publix-anchored shopping center in Hernando County, Florida.
- Lead counsel and Florida title agent for a vacation rentals operator in the financing, acquisition, and management of a 1031 replacement portfolio of six NNN leased retail properties in Florida.
- Lead counsel and Florida title agent for a vacation rentals operator in the eight-figure sale of beachfront properties in Siesta Key, Florida.
- Lead counsel for a real estate investment firm in the sale of an 800-room hotel complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Lead counsel for a real estate investment firm in the sale of a 67-unit assisted living facility in central Florida.
- Lead counsel for a hotel operator in the sale of an 85-room flagged hotel in Fort Myers, Florida.
- Lead counsel for a real estate investment firm in the acquisition and refinancing of a 191,000 square-foot, 300-room flagged hotel in Columbus, Ohio.
- Lead counsel for an investment firm in the acquisition, condominiumization, and disposition of a 41-unit property in St. Petersburg, Florida.
- Lead counsel for a real estate investment firm in a multistate refinancing of assisted living facilities and hotels.
- Lead counsel for a hotel operator in the sale of a 118-room flagged hotel in central Florida.
- Represented a developer in the acquisition of a 2,200-acre, 600-room hotel and gaming property in northern Mississippi and Arkansas.
- Represented a developer in the acquisition and refinancing of a 274-room flagged hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Represented a Fortune 100 multinational telecommunications company in the negotiation and drafting of ground, rooftop, tower colocation, and in-building wireless leases.
- Lead counsel for a closely held business in the negotiation, drafting, and closing of multiple Reg D Rule 506 exempt private offerings of equity securities.
- Lead counsel for a closely held business in the negotiation, drafting, and closing of the buyout of a private equity-backed minority shareholder.
- Represented closely held businesses in the negotiation and drafting of shareholder agreements.
Distinctions and Membership
- Admitted to The Florida Bar
- Admitted to The Georgia Bar
- Super Lawyers Florida Rising Stars, 2019-2023
-
Martindale’s Preeminent Award, the highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of Drew’s peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence for his legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Education
Vanderbilt University Law School, 2013
Juris Doctor
Authorities Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law
Columbia University, 2008
Bachelor of Arts
Magna Cum Laude
Phi Beta Kappa
When He’s Not Working Hard for Clients
A recruited athlete at Columbia, Drew has maintained his interest in soccer, and he hopes to begin coaching little ones soon. At Vanderbilt Law, he met his wife Chelsae J. Ford, who is now a trial attorney in Tampa. Chelsae and Drew have two children, Alexandra and Louis. When not juggling kids, Drew enjoys golf and fishing.
Articles
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