Overview
Frank Whitaker counsels purchasers, sellers, developers, and lenders throughout the real estate lifecycle, including in the acquisition, entitlement, development, financing, leasing and disposition of real property across multiple asset classes throughout the United States.
Areas of Concentration
- Acquisitions and dispositions of high-quality affordable housing, multifamily, retail, commercial and office properties
- Real estate financing, including loan originations, modifications, and debt workouts
- Leasing
- Corporate governance
- Title insurance matters
- Entitlements and development agreements
- Residential real estate closings
Prior to joining the firm, Frank worked as a transactional and litigation real estate attorney at a national law firm and a CMBS and Real Estate Capital Markets attorney at a Florida-based law firm. During law school, Frank clerked at a Miami-based law firm and for a local real estate developer. Before practicing law, Frank owned an insurance inspection business.
Notable Experience
- Represented a major Mexican construction and materials conglomerate in the acquisition and financing of a commercial property in Central Florida that became a key expansion for the client to grow its manufacturing facilities and output.
- Represented the buyer of a shopping center in Springfield, IL in preliminary steps with a letter of intent, through contract negotiations, due diligence, title, lease review, and closing in a span of just over thirty days in a deal valued at $3.8 million.
- Represented the seller of a shopping center containing 136,803 square feet of retail space across 12 acres located in Coral Springs, FL, which included a related loan defeasance transaction, in a deal valued at $26.5 million.
- Represented a purchaser in connection with the acquisition of eight Tropical Smoothie Cafés located on the Treasure Coast of Florida with assignments, assumptions, and lease negotiations completed with all landlords involved in a deal valued at over $5 million. Additionally, negotiated and closed a $5 million bank loan in connection with the transaction.
- Represented real estate investment and development company in the $53 million resale of a 44,575-square foot development site located in Miami’s financial district.
- Represented purchaser of an 87,100-square foot industrial warehouse located in Hialeah, FL. Provided real estate and corporate counsel and served as the closing and title agents for the transaction valued at $5.05 million with institutional financing in the amount of $4 million.
- Represented real estate investment and development company as developer’s counsel and title and closing agents in the closing of Ofizzina, an over $50 million Class-A, 16-story office condominium that includes 54 suites totaling 96,668 square feet of office space, three ground-floor commercial retail spaces, and 331 parking spaces. Counsel included handling property assembly, financing and structuring, and closing on more than $50 million in units.
Credentials
Education
- LL.M. in Real Property Development, University of Miami, 2015
- J.D., cum laude, University of Miami School of Law, 2015
- B.A., University of Central Florida, 2008
Admissions
- Florida
Professional & Community Involvement
- City of Wilton Manors Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, 2025-Present
- Leadership Miami
- Cohort 45, Executive Planning Committee Member, 2023
- Cohort 44, Facilitator, 2022
- The Florida Bar Grievance Eleventh Circuit Grievance Committee ‘B’, Chair, 2024-2025
Recognition
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2024-2025
- Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2025
- Leadership Miami, Cohort 43, “Carlos Arboleyah Community Service Award” (Participant of the Year), 2022
- South Florida Business and Wealth Magazine, “Changemaker” Award, 2022