Overview
Samantha “Sam” Decker focuses on a wide range of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leases and development projects.
Prior to joining the firm, Sam worked for a large international law firm in Tampa, Florida, where she represented inbound and outbound developers and institutional investors. She also served as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 title insurance underwriter. In that role, she gained experience with title industry practices, including an understanding of complex title defects, title underwriting and title curative actions.
Representative Experience
- Represented developer in connection with joint development of industrial park in Hillsborough County, Florida and subsequent leasing of buildings, including negotiation of a 27,000 square foot build to suit industrial lease.
- Advised regional bank on the acquisition of assets of a failed banking institution placed into FDIC receivership.
- Negotiated cross border facility agreement amongst domestic and foreign borrowers and lenders.
- Represented convenience store operator acquiring more than 50 properties, including negotiating deal terms, performing due diligence and drafting and reviewing closing documents.
- Counseled commercial developer in acquisition, development, leasing and disposition of multi-tenant shopping center.
- Represented a large fast food chain before the City of Tampa Variance Review Board and successfully argued for a sign variance.
- Directed local counsel on legal strategy through the course of title litigation and appeared as a company representative in court proceedings, mediations and settlement conferences.
- Determined coverage under terms of the title insurance contract and evaluated loss under the title policy while resolving over 500 title claims in 20 different jurisdictions.
- Negotiated multi-party settlements with title insurance policy holders and large institutional lenders.
Professional & Community Involvement
- Society of Real Estate Professionals (SOREP), 2022-Present
- Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Tampa Bay
- Economic Summit Committee, 2021-Present
- Membership Committee
- Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
- Women of Influence Committee, 2021-Present
- Emerging Leaders Tampa Bay, 2018-Present
- City of Tampa Variance Review Board, 2019-Present
- Chair, 2023-Present
- Florida Bar, Leadership Academy Committee, 2019-Present
- Real Estate Investment Council (REIC), 2018-2019
Recognition
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2024-Present
Publications & Presentations
Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications:
FDACS Promulgates New Rules Addressing Agricultural Land Owned by a Foreign Principal
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2024
Government Affairs News Update, Publications:
Rotunda Report Week 8 | February 26-March 1, 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2024
Publications:
Impact Fees — The Substantial Burden of Substantial Reliance
August 2020
Publications:
A Brief Review of Reinsurance Trends in 2019
March 2020
Publications:
Expecting the Unexpected: Responding to Force Majeure and COVID-19
March 2020
Events:
Corporate Record Keeping
Association of Corporate Counsel Annual South Florida Conference|September 2019
Publications:
A Brief Review of Reinsurance Trends in 2018
March 2019
Newsroom
Firm Announcements:
Stearns Weaver Miller Names Two New Shareholders
September 2023
In the Media:
CREW Tampa Bay Spotlight - Stearns Weaver Miller
CREW Tampa Bay|January 2023