Gunster, one of Florida’s oldest and largest full-service business law firms, today announced that Javier L. Vazquez and James R. Williams Jr. have joined the firm’s Real Property practice as shareholders in the expanding Miami office. Their arrival reflects Gunster’s continued investment in its Miami real estate capabilities, following its recent merger with the prominent local law firm Katz Barron.
Vazquez is a respected land use and zoning attorney with more than three decades of experience guiding clients through complex real estate development matters. He represents developers, property owners, and investors in navigating entitlements, zoning changes, environmental issues, and permitting throughout South Florida. Vazquez is particularly well known for his ability to coordinate public-private partnerships and advocate before local governments, with a track record that spans large-scale residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects.
Williams, also a very well-respected real estate attorney, focuses his practice in the areas of governmental advocacy, land use and zoning, and environmental law. He represents international, national and local developers and property owners in securing entitlements and permits for a broad range of developments. Early in his career, Williams worked in the public sector at different local governments before entering private practice. Using his unique experience and insider’s perspective, he has been extremely successful in obtaining a wide range of development approvals for his clients by streamlining the process and finding solutions to resolve extremely complex issues.
“Javier and James are highly respected attorneys who have achieved great results for clients. Their experience and client focus align perfectly with Gunster’s strategic growth in South Florida,” said Mario Garcia-Serra, managing shareholder of Gunster’s Miami office. “Their addition not only expands and deepens our Real Property bench in Miami but also enhances the service we provide to clients involved in transformative real estate and development projects across the region.”
Gunster’s expanded real estate team, now bolstered by the Katz Barron merger and the addition of top-tier talent like Vazquez and Williams, and Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Alfredo “Al” Gonzalez, and Christian Bruno who have joined the firm within the last three years, continues to meet the evolving needs of clients as Florida’s commercial landscape grows more dynamic and competitive.
Vazquez earned his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and his B.A. from Florida International University. He is active in numerous professional and civic organizations, including the Latin Builders Association and the Cuban American Bar Association.
Williams earned his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the Catholic University of America. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Florida Bar’s City, County and Local Government Law Section, and the Cuban American Bar Association.
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About Gunster
Gunster, Florida’s law firm for business, provides full-service legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 13 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. A magnet for business-savvy attorneys who embrace collaboration for the greatest advantage of clients, Gunster’s growth has not been at the expense of personalized service but because of it. The firm serves clients from its offices in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, Vero Beach, and its headquarters in West Palm Beach. With more than 330 attorneys and consultants, and 300 committed support staff, Gunster is ranked among the top 200 largest law firms by the National Law Journal and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Diverse Law Firms by Law360. More information about its practices, industries, offices and news is available at www.gunster.com.
