Land Use and Zoning Law
Neisen O. Kasdin
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Neisen Kasdin serves as managing partner of Akerman's Miami office. A former mayor of Miami Beach and leader in the revitalization of South Beach, he brings extensive civic experience to his work on urban revitalization and the development of complex, large-scale, multi-use projects.
Respected as a leader in urban development, he serves as vice chair of the board of directors for the Miami Downtown Development Authority and was responsible for leading the creation of Miami’s Downtown Master Plan. Many of his clients’ projects – from Brickell City Centre to Miami's Design District and the Faena District – have been groundbreaking, transforming Miami’s urban spaces with a blend of retail, office, and residential properties. In addition to large-scale projects, Neisen has represented clients in developments in emerging Miami neighborhoods such as Little Haiti and Wynwood.
Neisen is recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 as a leading land use and zoning lawyer in Florida. Clients value his attention to detail and thorough knowledge of building codes and government agencies, as well as his deep understanding of what a neighborhood needs, what is achievable, and what challenges may arise in the future.
Overview
- University of Florida, J.D., graduated 1980
- Florida, The Florida Bar
- Beacon Council - Past Chair
- City National Bank of Florida - Board Member
- Faena Art Center - Board Member and Secretary
- Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce - Transportation Committee, Past Chair; New World Center Committee, Past Chair
- Miami Downtown Development Authority - Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
- Miami-Dade County Bar Association - Member
- Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization - Past Board Member
- New World Symphony - Member and Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees
- South Florida Regional Transportation Authority - Past Board Member
- The Florida Bar - Member
- University of Miami School of Architecture - Masters in Real Estate and Urbanism Advisory Board Member and Past Chair
- Urban Land Institute (ULI), Governor and Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council - Past Chair
- Wolfsonian Institute/Florida International University - Board Member
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- Florida, The Florida Bar
- Beacon Council - Past Chair
- City National Bank of Florida - Board Member
- Faena Art Center - Board Member and Secretary
- Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce - Transportation Committee, Past Chair; New World Center Committee, Past Chair
- Miami Downtown Development Authority - Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
- Miami-Dade County Bar Association - Member
- Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization - Past Board Member
- New World Symphony - Member and Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees
- South Florida Regional Transportation Authority - Past Board Member
- The Florida Bar - Member
- University of Miami School of Architecture - Masters in Real Estate and Urbanism Advisory Board Member and Past Chair
- Urban Land Institute (ULI), Governor and Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council - Past Chair
- Wolfsonian Institute/Florida International University - Board Member
- University of Florida, J.D., graduated 1980
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Land Use and Zoning Law
Awards:
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
- Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Bill Colson Award
- Bring Back New Orleans Committee, Urban Land Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 2005
- American Institute of Architects, Miami Chapter, Government Official of the Year
- Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Service Award
- Dade Human Rights Foundation, Special Citation
- Florida Redevelopment Association, Florida Redevelopment Official of the Year
- Miami Design Preservation League, Chairman's Award
- Dade Cultural Alliance, Elected Official of the Year
- Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2007-2008, Listed for Environmental and Land Use
- The Legal 500 2008-2009, Recommended in Florida for Real Estate: Land Use and Zoning
- Shining Star Award, Arts & Business Council of Miami, 2011
- South Florida Business Journal 2011, Listed as Heavy Hitter in South Florida Commercial Real Estate
- Business Leader Magazine 2009 and 2012, Recognized as a "Power Player" in South Florida
- Super Lawyers Magazine 2014, 2016, Listed in Florida for Land Use/Zoning
- South Florida Business Journal 2014, Listed as a Power Leader in South Florida Commercial Real Estate
- The Legal 500 2013, 2015-2016, Recommended for Real Estate and Construction - Real Estate
- South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers 2012, 2014-15, Listed for Real Estate
- Daily Business Review 2015, Lifetime Achievement Award for Professional Excellence
- Chambers USA 2009-2016, Ranked in Florida for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
News & Media
Additional Information
- Published Work and Lectures
- Neisen Kasdin has spoken and written extensively on urban revitalization, public-private projects, land use, and historic preservation for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and other organizations.
- Daily Business Review's 2nd Annual South Florida Real Estate Conference, Panelist, "Opportunities in South Florida Commercial Real Estate," October 22, 2015
- Guide to Doing Business in Florida, Co-Author, "Land Use: Easements and Zoning," September 2013
- Urban Land Institute Charles F. Shaw Forum, Faculty Co-Chair, "Innovative Public-Private Partnerships," 2012
- Guide to Doing Business in Florida, Co-Author, "Real Estate Regulation," August 2011
- Growth Management and Environmental Permitting Short Course, Speaker, "Traditional Neighborhood Development: from Downtown to Greenfields," Daytona Beach, Florida, February 2007
- Bring Back New Orleans Committee, Urban Land Institute, Speaker, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 2005
- Asociacion de Constructores de Hogares de Puerto Rico, Annual Conference, Speaker, "Creating Value: The Miami Beach Story," Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico, October 2005
- International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Florida Conference, Speaker, "Public-Private Partnerships," Orlando, Florida, August 2005
- Japan Development Bank, Mayor's Forum, Speaker, "Creating Value: The Miami Beach Story," Tokyo, Japan, July 2005
- Florida Chamber of Commerce, Growth Management and Environmental Short Course, Speaker, "Successful New Urbanism Projects," Orlando, Florida, February 2004 and March 2005
- Barcelona Meeting Point, Speaker, "Principals of Urban Revitalization," Barcelona, Spain, September 2004
- The Urban Land Institute Latin American Conference, Speaker, "Urban Revitalization," Sao Paolo, Brasil, July 2003
- Americas Meeting Point, Speaker, "The South Beach Story: Key Elements in the Revitalization of South Beach," Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 2000
- Representative Experience
- Represented Swire Properties in development of the Brickell City Centre project in downtown Miami, a $1.5 billion, 5.5 million square foot mixed-use development in the city’s financial district. The project includes office space, retail, residential units, hotel, and underground parking. A model of large-scale mixed-use projects, it is the first Special Area Plan built under the Miami 21 Zoning Code.
- Represented Miami Design District Associates in the development of an unprecedented one million square foot retail, residential, and arts district. Handled all aspects of development approvals, including vacating rights of way, re-plating and zoning, and site plan approvals as a Special Area Plan built under the Miami 21 Zoning Code.
- Represented Faena Group in the acquisition, approval process, and environmental work for an approximately $1 billion, three-block, mixed-use oceanfront development, including hotels, condominium apartments, retail, restaurants, arts and cultural center, and underground parking.
- Represented Developers Diversified Realty (DDR) and the Midtown Miami Community Development District on the development of Midtown Miami, a three million plus square foot mixed-use development built on an abandoned rail yard in the City of Miami. Representation included zoning and site plan approval for a 645,000 square foot retail center and a binding letter from the State Department of Community Affairs avoiding the need for a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) Review, and assistance with an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, and the Community Development District created by DDR and the residential developer which involved $170 million incentive contribution from the City and County toward construction of parking and major public spaces.
- Represented the developer in the Miami Worldcenter project, a 30-acre, 12 million plus square foot mixed-use, multi-phase development in downtown Miami, Florida. Advised the developer in all aspects: drafting zoning and design guidelines, developing strategies for DRI avoidance or management such as legislative exemption or phasing within area wide DRI, and negotiating and drafting a development agreement to lock in zoning in exchange for public benefits.
- Representation of developers in numerous site plan and other regulatory issues throughout South Florida.
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