March 26, 2024
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update
Overview
Samantha “Sam” Decker focuses on assisting clients with a variety of commercial real estate matters. In this capacity, Sam concentrates on title issues and complex real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, financing and land development.
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.
Notable Experience
- 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.
- Counseled client in connection with joint development, leasing, and construction financing of industrial project in Hillsborough County, Florida.
- Represented financial institution in connection with construction and permanent financing of long term care facility.
- 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.
- 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.
- Negotiated multi-party settlements with title insurance policy holders and large institutional lenders.
Credentials
Education
- J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 2016
- Journal of International Law, Publications Editor and Staff member
- Holderness Moot Court, Intellectual Property
- B.A., University of Florida, 2011
Admissions
- Florida
Professional & Community Involvement
- Society of Real Estate Professionals (SOREP), 2022-Present
- Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Tampa Bay
- Economic Summit Committee, 2021-Present
- City of Tampa Variance Review Board, 2019-2024
- Chair, 2023-2024
- Florida Bar, Real Property Probate & Trust Law Section, Capital Markets Subcommittee Chair, 2024-Present
Recognition
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2024-Present
- Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2024-Present