Craig Taraszki

Experience 

Craig Taraszki offers clients a rare blend of technical insight and legal skill that few attorneys can match. With a first career as a civil and environmental engineer, Craig managed the design and construction of residential, commercial, and industrial projects before turning to the law. That hands-on background allows him to approach legal issues with the eye of someone who has been in the field, understands how projects are actually built, and knows the practical challenges developers face. Clients rely on that perspective when navigating Florida’s often complex development and regulatory landscape.

After graduating from obtaining his J.D, he went on to serve as in-house counsel for three Fortune 500 companies — two national real estate developers and a pharmaceutical manufacturer — where he gained a broad, high-level view of how business, construction, and compliance intersect. There, he negotiated purchase and sale agreements, handled design and construction contracts, managed leasing for office, manufacturing, and warehouse facilities, and oversaw subdivision planning and entitlement work. This corporate experience sharpened his ability to deliver practical, business-minded solutions to legal problems.

Today at Johnson Pope, Craig focuses his practice on construction law, real estate transactions, land use and zoning, and environmental permitting. He frequently represents developers and high-net-worth property owners in projects ranging from downtown high-rises to luxury waterfront estates. His work includes permitting seawalls and docks, navigating Florida’s building codes, securing entitlements for large-scale projects, and resolving disputes with local governments. He also handles construction litigation and complex commercial real estate matters, where his training as a registered professional engineer allows him to quickly identify technical issues, evaluate risk, and develop strategies that protect his clients’ investments.

Representative Matters

• Downtown St. Petersburg Bezu Condominium Tower — Represented developer in land use and zoning approvals for a controversial 23-story luxury condo tower in downtown St. Petersburg. Craig guided the project through public hearings, Development Review Commission approvals, and related litigation, helping clear the way for a $70 million redevelopment on Fourth Avenue North despite significant neighborhood opposition.
• High-Rise Residential Tower – MLK Jr. Street Corridor — Secured entitlements and approvals for a $109 million, 21-story mixed-use tower in St. Petersburg’s downtown core. Craig navigated zoning and parking regulations and addressed neighborhood concerns, emphasizing the importance of high-density development in an urban setting.
• Lema Construction Headquarters and Townhomes — Represented Lema Construction in land use amendments, zoning relief, and development agreements for three parcels in north St. Petersburg. The project included a new 6,000-square-foot corporate headquarters, a 20-unit townhome community, and restoration of more than an acre of preservation habitat. Craig worked closely with city staff and environmental consultants to achieve a net ecological benefit on previously disturbed land.
• Large-Scale Real Estate Transactions — Handled multimillion-dollar acquisitions and sales of commercial and residential properties for high-net-worth individuals and developers, including waterfront estates requiring complex permitting for seawalls and docks.
• Development Approval Extensions — Advised clients on securing extensions for development approvals and permits under Florida law, ensuring entitlements remained valid through economic downturns and market delays. Published guidance on these procedures that was widely circulated among Florida developers and municipal officials.

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• Pennsylvania
• United States District Courts (District of New Jersey, Eastern District of Pennsylvania)

Education 

• Pennsylvania State University, B.S. Environmental Engineering
• Beasley School of Law, Temple University, J.D.

Awards & Recognition:

•  Former Registered Professional Engineer, Pennsylvania, New Jersey & North Carolina

Community & Professional Organizations

• The Florida Bar
  • Member, 2013 – Present
• St. Petersburg Bar Association
  • Member, 2013 – Present

Outside of the Office

Outside of work, Craig enjoys an active lifestyle and takes every opportunity to be outdoors. Whether it’s time on the water, exploring new places, or following the latest trends in architecture and design, he gravitates toward pursuits that reflect his lifelong interest in how environments are built and experienced. He also appreciates St. Petersburg’s vibrant growth and cultural scene and enjoys being part of a community that is continually reshaping itself through thoughtful development.