James H. McNeil Jr.

Jim McNeil chairs Akerman’s Residential Development Practice. He represents national homebuilders, developers and private equity funds in the development of master-planned and mixed-use residential communities across Florida and the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. His real estate work spans the development process, from property acquisition and due diligence through land use entitlements, development and disposition.

Jim handles the transactional aspects of real estate deals and advises on land use approvals and entitlement procurement. He also negotiates development, utility and land bank agreements with development partners. His counsel addresses regulatory compliance, development risk and the approvals needed to move residential projects forward.

Jim is a member of the Greater Orlando Builders Association. He previously served on its Board of Directors and as Associate Vice President.

Major Florida Land Acquisition:

Represented developer GT USA in the $165 million purchase of 2,300 acres in Lake County, Florida, facilitating the potential development of nearly 3,000 homes in the Wellness Way corridor. This transaction is believed to be the highest-valued land purchase in Lake County history and one of the largest acquisitions in Florida for 2024. The deal received significant media coverage, including: Law360, CoStar, GrowthSpotter, and Orlando Business Journal.

Significant Land Sale:

Represented developer GT USA in the $90 million sale of 518 acres in the Wellness Way corridor to Pulte Home Company, supporting the development of approximately 1,500 homes. This transaction was featured in the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Business Journal, and GrowthSpotter.

Homebuilder Representation:

Advises numerous national homebuilders and build-to-rent developers in all phases of residential real estate development, including land acquisition, contract negotiation, due diligence, zoning, and obtaining land use and entitlement approvals.

Golf Course Redevelopment:

Represented clients in the acquisition, entitlement, and redevelopment of golf course properties for residential and mixed-use projects.

• J.D., Stetson University College of Law, 1995
• M.S., Florida State University, Urban Planning, 1992
• B.S., Florida State University, 1990

• Chambers USA, 2022-2026, Ranked in Florida (North and Central Florida) for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
• The Legal 500, 2020, 2022-2023, 2025, Recommended for Real Estate – Land Use/Zoning and for Real Estate
• Best Lawyers, 2010-2027, Listed in Florida for Real Estate Law, Land Use and Zoning Law
• Connect CRE, 2024 Lawyer in Real Estate Award Winner, National
• Super Lawyers Magazine, 2012-2018, Listed in Florida for Real Estate: Business, Land Use/Zoning

• The Florida Bar, Member
• Greater Orlando Builders Association, Associate Vice President, 2014
• City of Ocoee Planning and Zoning Commission, Past Member

• Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Quoted, “North Port rejects petition to contract city boundaries exclude major developments,” April 29, 2021
• Law360, Author, “Key Considerations For Build-To-Rent Developers,” April 22, 2021
• 2019 Akerman U.S. Real Estate Sector Report, Contributor
• IMN Annual Real Estate Private Equity Forum on Land & Homebuilding, Moderator, “Land Use Due Diligence: The 10 Most Important Factors When Buying Land in Today’s Market,” April 14-15, 2015
• Wall Street Journal, Quoted, “Home Builder Fight for Land to Prep for Upturn,” April 20, 2010