Joseph E. “Joe” Ruppel brings a detail-oriented yet big-picture approach to his real estate and finance practice at Johnson Pope. Representing developers, investors, physicians, and commercial property owners, he handles acquisitions, sales, leasing, financing, and development matters across Florida and the Southeast. From shopping centers and convenience stores to affordable housing initiatives, Joe is trusted for his ability to spot issues early, protect client interests, and keep transactions moving forward.
Joe’s interest in law came naturally from his love of reading, writing, and public speaking—skills he channels daily in guiding clients through complex deals. He was drawn to real estate because of the tangible results: seeing a vacant parcel evolve into a shopping center, restaurant, or housing development that adds value to the community. That transformation, from concept to completion, is what Joe finds most rewarding about his work.
Joe volunteered with Gulfcoast Legal Services during law school, supporting attorneys who provided critical assistance to low-income families. After being admitted to the Florida Bar and while working as an attorney at Johnson Pope, Joe also served as General Counsel for the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce (now Amplify Clearwater). These early experiences reinforced his commitment to using his legal training to strengthen both businesses and communities.
Joe is an active member of Leadership Pinellas (Class of 2025) and local bar associations, including the Florida Bar and Clearwater Bar. He also participates in Clearwater Young Professionals, furthering his connection to the region’s business and civic leadership.
Clients and colleagues describe Joe as practical and collaborative, a lawyer who advocates forcefully for his clients while also building consensus among stakeholders to achieve shared goals. He prides himself on balancing precision with pragmatism, ensuring that his clients’ deals are both legally sound and commercially successful.
Representative Matters
- Convenience Store Development: Represented multi-state real estate developers in acquisition, development, and sale projects for convenience store locations in Florida and the southeastern United States.
- Affordable Housing Transactions: Assisted in acquisitions of property for development of multifamily housing projects aimed at expanding affordable housing options.
- Medical Office & Physician Representation: Advised physicians on the purchase, sale, and leasing of medical office space.
- Commercial Leasing: Negotiated leases for retail developments and office complexes on behalf of landlords and tenants throughout Florida.
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2017
Education
- Stetson University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2017
- University of South Florida, B.A., summa cum laude, Political Science, Philosophy Minor, 2014
Awards & Recognition
- Leadership Pinellas, Class of 2025
- Member, 2025
- Goodwin & Scieszka Innovation Scholarship
- 2nd Runner Up, 2014
Community & Professional Organizations
- Florida Bar
- Member, 2017 – Present
- Clearwater Bar Association
- Member, 2017 – Present
- Clearwater Young Professionals
- Member
Outside of the Office
Outside of work, Joe enjoys going to concerts, whether it is classic rock, country, or indie shows, and exploring new restaurants around the Tampa Bay area. He is also a fan of audiobooks and often listens to history and thought-provoking nonfiction. For Joe, downtime is about staying connected to the arts and spending time with family.
Development Approvals: Assisted real estate developers in analyzing various title documents and securing necessary consents from multiple private parties in order to allow for proposed development and use of property.