Overview

Robert Stern joined the firm in 1990 and is the co-leader of the Real Estate & Lending Transactions Group. Robert represents clients in all aspects of real estate, distressed property, and financing commercial work. His practice focuses on commercial real estate, with an emphasis on transactional and financing matters. His clients include developers, lenders, investors, and retailers. Robert has served as an expert witness, receiver, mediator and adjunct professor of law. He strives to add value to every deal as a trusted advisor for his clients, based on negotiation skills and practical experience honed over twenty years of buying, developing, financing, permitting, leasing and selling commercial real estate.

Representative Matters

• Appeared before the Governor and Florida Cabinet setting in its capacity as the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund
• Appointed and served as Arbitrator by Federal Judge Stephen D. Merryday, United States, Middle District of Florida (Ritz Carlton Hotel, Sarasota, Florida)
• Appointed and served as Receiver of property by Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Christopher Sabella
• Represented clients in numerous multi-state, multi-parcel transactions

Honors and Distinctions

• Chambers USA Ranked, Real Estate, 2017-2020
• Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer by the Florida Bar, 2000-Present
• The Best Lawyers in America (Real Estate Law), 2010-2021
• Florida Trend Legal Elite, 2008-2012, 2015-2016
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2020 (10+ year recognition)
  • Top 50 Tampa, 2020
• "40 Under 40" Award, Tampa Bay Business Journal - for accomplishments and community service
• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell - the highest rating attainable
• Distinguished Alumni Award, Tampa Gator Club, 2007
• Goodwill Industries International, Board Leader of the Year, 2007
• Fleming Award for Outstanding Service to the University of Florida Community, 1990

Professional Involvement

• Adjunct Professor, Stetson University College of Law
• Adjunct Professor, University of South Florida College of Business Administration, Business Law
• Served as an expert witness/consultant in several cases
• Mediator - Sarasota Ritz Carlton Hotel (appointed by US Federal District Judge Stephen D. Merryday)
• Property Receiver (appointed by Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Christopher Sabella)
• The Florida Bar, Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section, 2001-present
  • Executive Council, 2009-2010
  • Chairman, Real Estate Certification Review Course Committee, 2003-2006
  • Chairman, Land Trust & REIT Committee, 2006-2009
  • Vice-Chairman, Mortgages and Encumbrances Committee, 2010-2012
  • At Large Member, 2012-present
• Hillsborough County Bar Association, 2000-present
  • President, Young Lawyers Division, 1996-1997
  • Chairman, Law Week
  • Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees
• National Association of Industrial and Office Properties
• University of Florida, College of Law
  • Trustee, Law Center Board of Trustees, 2009-present
  • Law School Alumni Council, 1991-2009
• Tampa Chamber of Commerce
  • Sports Council, Steering Committee
  • Representative Committee of 100
• Former Banker (1986-1987) Wachovia Bank c/k/a Wells Fargo
• Real Estate Investment Council of Tampa Bay, Board of Directors, Secretary
• UF Real Estate Advisory Board

Community Involvement

• Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Board of Directors, 2012-present
• Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, Board of Directors, 2013-present
• Tampa Downtown Partnership, Board of Directors, 2013-present
• Tampa Gator Club, 2000-present
  • President, 1995-1999
• Goodwill Industries Suncoast
  • Board of Directors, 1995-present
  • Chairman of Board, 2006-2008
• University of Florida National Alumni Association
  • Board of Directors, 1995-present
  • President, 2005-2006 (During term as President, UF won both the NCAA Basketball and Football National Championships)
• University of Florida Student Affairs Advisory Board, 1998-present
  • Chairman
• University of Florida President’s Council, 1987-present
• PalmaCeia Presbyterian Church
  • Ordained Elder, 2009
  • Member of Session, 2009-present
  • Commissioner, Upward Basketball League, 2010
• Tampa Yacht and Country Club
  • Secretary
  • Board of Directors
• University Community Ministries
  • Board of Directors, 2005-2010
• UF Government Relations Advisory Council
• Hillsborough County Regional Advisory Council
• Florida Flagship Council
• UF Regional Legislative Task Force, Chairman
• Plant High School Athletic Foundation, Board of Directors, 2012-present

Public Service

• State of Florida, Post secondary Education Planning Commission (Appointed by Governor Bush)
• City of Tampa, Civil Service Board (Appointed by Mayor Freedman)

News

• Shareholder Robert Stern Authors Article on The Future of Construction Loans in a Post-Pandemic World for Construction Executive
• Rob Stern Discusses Commercial Lending Outlook for Tampa Bay Business Journal
• Rob Stern Authors Column for Tampa Bay Business Journal on Practical Solutions for Landlords and Lenders with Struggling Tenants
• Fifty-Four Attorneys from Trenam Law Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021
• Shareholder Robert G. Stern Elected to the Board of Directors as Secretary of the Real Estate Investment Council of Tampa Bay
• Rob Stern Discusses COVID-19 Impact on Landlords and Lenders
• Forty Seven Attorneys Recognized in Florida Super Lawyers 2020
• Trenam Law Receives High Marks by Prestigious Chambers and Partners For 2020
• Robert Stern Quoted on Landlord, Tenant Reaction to COVID-19 Pandemic in Business Observer
• Tampa Bay Times Discusses Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Florida’s Real Estate and Construction Industry with Robert Stern

Thought Leadership

• "The Future of Construction Loans in a Post-Pandemic World," Construction Executive, January 2021
• "Rob Stern discusses commercial lending outlook for Tampa Bay Business Journal," Tampa Bay Business Journal, January 2021
• "Guest column: Practical solutions to avoid evictions, loan defaults and foreclosures," Tampa Bay Business Journal, September 2020
• "With eviction freeze extension, Florida landlords wonder how they’ll recover lost rent," Interview for Tampa Bay Times, June 2020
• "Landlords, tenants seek middle ground in complicated situation," Interview for Business Observer, April 2020
• "Coronavirus hitting Florida development like 'an economic hurricane’," Interview for Tampa Bay Times, March 2020
• The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section, "Tax Liens," Advanced Real Property Certification Review, April 2019
• The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section; 1st Annual Attorney Loan Officer Liaison Conference, 2017
• The Florida Bar, Advanced Real Estate Law and Certification Review Course, 2000-present
• Lorman Education Services Seminar, Tax Liens and Tax Deeds - New Investment Strategies, 2012
• Tampa Bay Economic Outlook Conference CCIM Conference, 2012
• Lorman Education Services, "Lender Liability in Florida," 2011
• University of Miami, Boyer Institute on Real Property Law, 2011
• St. Pete Bar Association, "Strategies, Options, and Practice Tips in Loan Defaults, Workouts, and Foreclosures," 2011
• The Florida Bar, Tax Liens and Tax Deeds - New Investment Strategies Seminar, "Current Issues in Real Property and Mortgages," 2010
• The Florida Bar, Financing Considerations and Construction Loan Seminar, "Real Estate Finance Notes and Mortgages," 2010
• The Florida Bar, Financing Considerations for Land Trusts Seminar, "Real Estate Transactions Involving Land Trusts," 2010
• Florida Legal Education Association, Inc., Real Estate Law Seminar, "Handling Financing Issues and Loan Default Issues," 2010