Real Estate Council of Martin County

Gerardo J. Rodriguez-Albizu is a seasoned attorney who represents domestic and international clients at both the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu has litigated a wide variety of cases, including matters under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), complex commercial matters, international copyright infringement, Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) cases, foreign asset seizure, international commercial arbitration, partnership break up disputes, theft of trade secrets, disputes involving banks and financial institutions (including claims under Regulation X), commercial and residential landlord-tenant disputes, among other matters.

Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu also has experience with matters pending or involving foreign jurisdictions, including Central and South America, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Drawing from his extensive litigation experience, Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu assists clients with their business law needs including forming new entities, drafting and negotiating joint venture agreements, shareholder agreements, operating agreements, and buy/sell agreements, negotiating franchise agreements, and various other contractual agreements.

Additionally, Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu also has significant experience in representing U.S. and international clients with their real estate needs. Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu’s experience includes assisting clients in all facets of a real estate transaction – from negotiating the purchase and sale agreement, to conducting the closing and issuing title insurance. In this regard Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu possesses experience in handling construction to permanent financing transactions, transactions involving national lenders, and all cash deals. Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu also assists clients with drafting and negotiating both commercial and residential leases, either on behalf of landlords or prospective tenants.

Throughout his legal career Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu has represented a wide spectrum of clients, including banks, small business owners, real estate developers, individuals, and mid-size companies. Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu has received numerous accolades from both clients and the local community in recognition of his legal services, including the “Most Effective Lawyers” award from the South Florida Daily Business Review and the “Outside Counsel of the Year” award from Areas USA, Inc. Prior to starting Rodriguez-Albizu Law, P.A., Mr. Rodriguez-Albizu worked at the international law firms Greenberg Traurig, P.A., and Diaz, Reus, and Targ, LLP.

Jared was born in South Florida and raised in Hobe Sound. Jared attended the University of Florida for his undergraduate and law degrees. During his time in Gainesville, Jared was involved in many clubs and organizations including Dance Marathon, the law school’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic, the John Marshall Bar Association, and the Florida Law Review.

Jared practices real estate, land use, and estate planning law. He is passionate about giving back to the local community and is involved in the Apollo School Foundation and the Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce. Jared is also a member of the Hobe Sound Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, a representative on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee, and a member of the Jupiter Island Code Enforcement Board. When Jared is not working or volunteering he enjoys tennis, trivia, and watching Florida Gator sports.

Tom Sawyer, certified by the Florida Bar as a Real Estate Specialist, joined Gunster following eight years of government service and 25 years of private practice in Stuart, Florida. Tom advises on all aspects of real property acquisition, development, financing, leasing and environmental permitting. He describes himself as a “dirt lawyer” at heart and believes his private practice experience brought added value to his government work.

While serving as Deputy General Counsel for Public Lands in the Office of the General Counsel at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Tom experienced first-hand the manner in which the wheels of state government turn. Tom worked closely with the Florida Cabinet aides to formulate monthly agendas for the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida (TIIF). During this time, Tom was primary counsel to the Division of State Lands (DSL) which is responsible for the issuance of Sovereign Submerged Land leases. Following his departure from the state capitol, Tom landed closer to his Stuart home in West Palm Beach to work in the Office of Counsel at the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Tom’s primary client at SFWMD was the Division Director for Real Estate and Field Operations.

Tom thrives in crafting creative solutions that can overcome the most difficult challenges sure to arise during the development of a real estate project. Tom comments that “no two transactions are alike” whether it is the unique qualities inherent in the land or simply mediating the divergent personalities involved.  He focuses on maintaining a watchful eye over environmental justice issues that are critical to keeping Florida the most beautiful and attractive state in the union. In Tom’s mind, scorched earth tactics are not of any value in getting a transaction to the finish line, and Tom believes a real estate practice is not a win-at-all-cost game. Tom takes great pride when a client tells him, “You are unlike any lawyer I have ever met,” which he attributes to the notion that he personally cares about making a transaction function in a way that seeks to maximize benefit to all stakeholders.

Tom has served as a title agent since the mid-1980s with deep roots in the title insurance business, which is a skill he brings to every closing.