Steven D. Lear
Partner
Overview
Steven Lear is a Miami-based attorney, the leader of Holland & Knight's international Joint Venture Group and a co-leader of the firm's Residential Real Estate Team. Mr. Lear has more than 35 years of legal, tax and business experience representing top national companies in the areas of joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Mr. Lear assists companies in successfully navigating through some of the most complex legal, tax and business matters. With a certified public accountant (CPA) background and a master's degree in taxation, Mr. Lear adds significant value to his representation of clients.
Mr. Lear also handles workouts, acquisitions of pools of debt and real estate, land banking transactions, build-to-rent transactions, debt and equity financing and investing, including private equity and general corporate transactions.
In addition, he serves on the firm's Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Team and advises clients on compliance with the CTA. Mr. Lear also has experience with corporate governance and most other facets of corporate, partnership and limited liability company (LLC) commercial transactions. Mr. Lear represents public and privately held companies in a variety of industries, including homebuilding and real estate development.
Previously, Mr. Lear served as chief in-house counsel for two major multifaceted companies. He often draws on this experience and his range of skills when structuring, negotiating, documenting and closing sophisticated transactions.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Lear handled complex corporate matters for a Miami-based law firm.
Representative Experience
Credentials
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, LL.M., Taxation
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude
- The University of Vermont, B.S., cum laude
- Florida
- American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants
- American Bar Association
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Florida
- American Academy of Attorney-CPAs
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, Board of Directors, 2014-2017
- Dade County Bar Association
- The Florida Bar
- The Florida Bar Business Law Section, Chapter 608 Florida Limited Liability Company Act Drafting Committee, Recording Secretary, 2009-2014; Executive Committee, 2013-2014; Chapter 605 Florida Corporation Act Drafting Committee 2017-Present
- University of Florida Law Review, Senior Managing Editor, 1985-1986
- The Legal 500 USA, M&A/Corporate and Commercial – M&A: Middle-Market (sub $500M), 2022
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2011-2025
- Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide, Corporate/M&A & Private Equity, 2010-2023
- Florida Super Lawyers, 2013-Present
- Holland & Knight Pro Bono All-Star, 2021
- Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers: Corporate Securities, Winner, 2005, 2016
- Daily Business Review, Top Dealmakers of the Year, Finalist, 2007, 2010
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated