Gregory D. Lee

Partner

Orlando
T +1.407.649.4096
F +1.407.841.0168
Washington, D.C.
T +1.202.861.1660
F +1.202.861.1783

Overview

Gregory Lee has been involved in real estate development since 1994, and represents clients with regard to land use, local and state government, and real estate development matters. A large focal point of Gregory's practice involves the sports and entertainment industry, specifically sports facilities, as he works on all sides of the complex transactional structures associated with governmental approvals, development, construction, occupancy and sponsorships involving such facilities. His representation includes professional sports leagues and associations, as well as ownership groups and teams.

Gregory is well positioned to assist clients with their needs and provides thoughtful and proactive counsel, using his knowledge and experience as both a real estate developer and an attorney.

Gregory is the national Industry Team Chair for BakerHostetler and previously served as the leader of the Sports and Entertainment Industry practice team.

Select Experience

Sports
  • Assisted NFL franchise with due diligence and feasibility associated with redevelopment of stadium.
  • Served as lead outside counsel to an MLB club on all aspects of approvals, financing and construction associated with a spring training facility.
Real Estate Development
  • Serve as lead counsel for a professional sports team in a $250 million mixed-use development project, including a hotel, commercial retail space, a public plaza, a conference center and a parking structure. Representation includes managing land use and entitlements for the project, coordinating with local government officials and other stakeholders, assisting with acquisitions and redevelopment of an entire city block, and preparing all related agreements and legal documentation associated with the project.
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Experience

Sports
  • Assisted NFL franchise with due diligence and feasibility associated with redevelopment of stadium.
  • Served as lead outside counsel to an MLB club on all aspects of approvals, financing and construction associated with a spring training facility.
  • Assisted two MLB clubs with all aspects of developing a shared spring training facility.
  • Advising client on the acquisition of an MLS and USL soccer franchise.
  • Assisted with the preparation of sponsorship agreements for multiple MLS teams associated with 2013 MLS soccer spring training.
Real Estate Development
  • Serve as lead counsel for a professional sports team in a $250 million mixed-use development project, including a hotel, commercial retail space, a public plaza, a conference center and a parking structure. Representation includes managing land use and entitlements for the project, coordinating with local government officials and other stakeholders, assisting with acquisitions and redevelopment of an entire city block, and preparing all related agreements and legal documentation associated with the project.
  • Served as lead outside counsel to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in the development of what will be the national headquarters of USTA Player Development and the largest tennis training facility in the world. The 63-acre, $80 million state-of-the-art facility will serve as the national campus to USTA and will be referred to as the "Home of American Tennis." The facility will be located in Lake Nona, Florida, and will have more than 100 tennis courts that are slated to open in late 2016. The project will boost the region's tourism industry and is expected to bring more than 175 jobs to Central Florida.
  • Serve as chair of the Orlando Community Venues Oversight Committee responsible for overseeing the construction schedule and budgets exceeding $1.3 billion in public sports entertainment facilities, which include the Amway Center (home of the Orlando Magic), Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts, renovations to the Florida Citrus Bowl, and the MLS Soccer Stadium (home of the Orlando City Soccer Club).
  • Represented a local not-for-profit hospital in the creation and establishment of the first special taxing district in Orlando. Assisted with an exploratory task force, created the necessary legislation and implemented the final plan.
  • Served as land use counsel to a luxury high-rise apartment building in downtown Orlando. Assisted with the land acquisition and coordination efforts with local government agencies and utility providers regarding site development. Represented the client during public hearings.
  • Serve as land use counsel to one of the largest single-site fractional ownership developments in the world, with approximately 1,500 acres and 5,000 units. Representation includes assisting coordination efforts with local and state government agencies regarding the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) entitlement structure for the development project. Represented the client during public hearings.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • Chambers USA: Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use in Florida (2014 to 2022)
    • Band 1 (2021 to 2022), Band 2 (2019 to 2020), Band 3 (2016 to 2018), Up & Coming (2014 to 2015)
  • The Legal 500 United States (2017 to 2019, 2021)
    • Recommended in Real Estate (2021)
    • Recommended in Industry Focus: Sport (2017 to 2019)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2017 to Present)
    • Lawyer of the Year - Florida: Real Estate Law (2023)
    • Florida: Real Estate Law
  • Orlando Magazine: 50 Most Powerful -- Business (2018)
  • Florida Trend Legal Elite (2012 to 2015)
  • Orlando Sentinel: Orlando Power Brokers (2013 to 2014)
  • Orlando's 25 Most Powerful People: Next Generation (2011 to 2012)

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • District of Columbia Bar Association
  • Sports Lawyers Association
  • Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC): President

Community

  • City of Orlando Community Venues Oversight Committee
    • Chair
    • Board Member
  • Orlando Utilities Commission
    • Commissioner
    • Past Chair
    • Past Vice Chair
    • Past Finance Committee Chair
    • Past Audit Committee Chair
  • Central Florida Sports Commission
    • Past Chair (2014 to 2016)
    • Board Member
  • Business Force
    • Board Member
  • Florida Citrus Sports
  • City of Orlando Municipal Planning Board
    • Past Chair
    • Former Board Member
  • Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Orlando Chapter
    • Former Executive Committee Member
    • Former Member
  • Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers
    • Former Board Member
  • Florida A&M University College of Law Board of Advisors 
    • Former Board Member
  • Habitat for Humanity Orlando Board of Directors
    • Past President
    • Former Board Member
  • United Negro College Fund Board of Directors
    • Former Board Member

Prior Positions

  • Diversified Central Florida real estate development company: President and Chief Operating Officer
  • Central Florida hospitality management and multifamily development community: Special Projects Liaison

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • Florida
  • District of Columbia

Education

  • J.D., Stetson University College of Law, 1999, cum laude
  • M.B.A., Stetson University, 1996, with honors
  • B.A., University of Florida, 1994