April 25, 2025
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update
He is a master in terms of negotiating, and he is well liked and respected by all participants, including the governmental funding partners. He sees the big picture and ensures that his client's primary goals are met, and he does not get lost in details which are unimportant.
Chambers USA 2018
Overview
Brian McDonough serves as the Chair of the firm’s Affordable Housing & Tax Credit Financing group and is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He represents developers using government loan programs, community housing development organizations and 501(c)(3) organizations using qualified 501(c)(3) bonds for multifamily housing developments. Brian assists clients with matters involving multifamily housing, low income housing tax credits and loan programs implemented by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. He also represents lenders in all types of real estate loans and in particular, loans related to affordable housing.
Brian is a frequent lecturer and panelist on current matters affecting affordable housing. In addition, he has authored several articles on matters affecting affordable housing.
Notable Experience
- Represented large affordable housing developer in connection with the issuance of bonds on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
- Represented Quest Inc. in securing construction financing and tax credit syndication totaling $16.8 million for Quest Village, an affordable apartment community for independent adults with developmental disabilities.
- Representation of several sellers of multiple affordable housing properties, partnership interests and management company affiliates.
- Negotiation and preparation of contracts for properties for new and existing multifamily apartment buildings throughout the State of Florida.
- Negotiation of workouts of tax-exempt bond financed projects involving state and local issuers of bonds.
- Representation of developers in the negotiation of the syndication of federal low income housing tax credits.
- Issued, as an agent for various title companies, title insurance policies on behalf of owners and lenders in excess of $1 billion.
- Assisted affordable housing developer, St. John Community Development Corporation and the CDP Companies, in the closing of the development and financing for St. John Plaza, a 90-unit apartment complex in Overtown, Miami. The project was financed through multiple sources, including bonds issued by the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County.
Credentials
Education
- LL.M., New York University School of Law, 1984
- J.D., University of Notre Dame School of Law, 1981
- B.S., cum laude, University of Florida, 1977
Admissions
- Florida
Professional & Community Involvement
- Founder & Executive Director, Give Kids A Chance (charitable organization providing scholarships to low-income students)
- Legal Counsel, Coalition of Affordable Housing Providers (organization of developers, lenders, tax credit syndicators, and other professionals involved in the acquisition, financing, and development of affordable housing in Florida)
- Board of Directors, Camillus House (provider of housing and supportive services to homeless)
- Board of Directors, Casa Familia (provider of affordable housing and related services to intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals)
Recognition
- Chambers USA, Real Estate (South Florida), 2015-Present
- The Best Lawyers in America®, 2003-Present
- Miami Real Estate Law Lawyer of the Year, 2020
- Florida Trend Legal Elite, 2004-2006
- Top 10 Influential Real Estate Lawyers Shaping South Florida in 2023, Business Today
- Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2019
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell