Barry E. Somerstein concentrates his practice in the area of real estate transactional law, finance, leasing, general corporate sports law and land use.
Mr. Somerstein has represented many clients in the negotiation, structuring and documenting of real estate asset transactions, primarily, in connection with hotels, condominium buildings, shopping centers, and office buildings. Additionally, he works with developer clients in connection with the acquisition, permitting, land use planning, finance and development of large tracts of real estate. His extensive background has enabled him to assist numerous clients in taking a raw piece of real estate and developing it into a finished product.
A substantial part of Mr. Somerstein’s practice involves all aspects of leasing and leasehold financing. Mr. Somerstein represents numerous landlords in connection with the leasing of office buildings, shopping centers and warehouses. He also represents numerous clients in negotiating leases on behalf of tenants. Mr. Somerstein has structured long-term ground leases to enable clients to develop on real estate based on the use of long-term ground leases on both a subordinated and unsubordinated basis.
Mr. Somerstein has spent a considerable period of time representing both lenders and borrowers in connection with real estate and asset-based financing. He has had extensive experience in loan workout and reorganizations. Mr. Somerstein is involved in structuring corporations, general partnerships, limited partnerships and joint ventures.
Mr. Somerstein has spoken at various seminars on office and industrial leasing and growth management.
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Education
- J.D., University of Miami School of Law, cum laude, 1976
- B.A., Tulane University, 1974
Professional and Community Involvement
- American Bar Association, Member
- Broward County Bar Association, Member
- Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Executive Committee and General Counsel
- Broward Performing Arts Authority Foundation, Past President and Board Member
- Nova Southeastern University, Ambassador’s Board, Member
- Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, Board of Trustees, Former Member
- Broward County Commission for the Homeless, Member
- Kids in Distress, Former Board Member
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, “Impact on the Real Estate Industry Post-Pandemic Shutdown” GM Webinar, May 19, 2021
- Moderator, “Development in the Age of COVID-19,” Greenspoon Marder Innovation Summit, September 30, 2020
- Moderator, “Transportation: Airplanes, Trains and Automobiles,” International Council of Shopping Centers South Florida Exchange, November 16, 2017
Recognitions
- U.S. News & World Report, “Best Lawyers in America,” Real Estate Law, 1995-2024
- Chambers and Partners USA, “Top Ranked Lawyer – Florida: Real Estate,” 2003-2023
- Fort Lauderdale Illustrated, “Top Lawyers” 2021 & 2022
- IFLR1000, “Leading Lawyer: Highly Regarded – State,” 2019-2023
- National Law Journal, “Real Estate/Construction Law Trailblazers List” 2021
- South Florida Business & Wealth magazine, “Real Estate Awards” Honoree, 2021
- Martindale-Hubbell, Rated AV Preeminent®
- Daily Business Review, “Florida Trailblazer,” 2020
- The American Registry, “Top Lawyers in South Florida,” 2020
- South Florida Legal Guide, “Top Lawyers,” 2002-2021
- IFLR1000, “Elite Dealmakers,” 2018
- Super Lawyers magazine, Florida “Super Lawyers,” Real Estate, 2006-2019
- South Florida Business & Wealth magazine, Finalist, “Leaders In Law,” Real Estate, 2014
- Intercontinental Finance & Law magazine, “Leading Lawyer 500,” 2013
- Florida Trend, Named, “Legal Elite,” 2009, 2012
- Daily Business Review, Finalist, “Top Dealmakers of the Year,” 2012
- Daily Business Review, “Top Dealmakers,” Land and Retail, 2010
- The Legal 500 US, Real Estate and Construction, 2009
Publications
- Author, “Homelessness Is Not A Crime, and Broward’s Working On Solutions,” Sun Sentinel, September 26, 2018
In the News
- Featured, “Greenspoon Marder Advises on 11-Marina Portfolio Sale,” Daily Business Review, May 31, 2017
News
- Aug 17, 2023 49 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024 Edition
- Jul 24, 2023 Greenspoon Marder Partners Barry Somerstein, Mark Somerstein, and Alan Somerstein Named to IFLR Leading Lawyers 2023 List
- Jun 5, 2023 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA 2023 Guide
- Jun 2, 2023 Greenspoon Marder Ranked in Chambers and Partners USA 2023 Guide
- Oct 1, 2022 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Recognized as “Top Lawyers” by Fort Lauderdale Illustrated for 2022
- Sep 16, 2022 Greenspoon Marder Partners Barry Somerstein, Mark Somerstein, and Alan Somerstein Named to IFLR1000 2022 Leading Lawyers List
- Aug 18, 2022 48 Attorneys At Greenspoon Marder Listed In The Best Lawyers In America© 2023
- Jun 1, 2022 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Ranked In Chambers and Partners USA For 2022
- Jun 1, 2022 Greenspoon Marder Practice Groups Ranked In Chambers and Partners USA For 2022
- Oct 5, 2021 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Recognized as “Top Lawyers” by Fort Lauderdale Illustrated for 2021
- Aug 30, 2021 Greenspoon Marder Partner Barry Somerstein Named To The National Law Journal’s 2021 Real Estate/Construction Law Trailblazers List
- Aug 19, 2021 37 Attorneys At Greenspoon Marder Listed In The Best Lawyers In America© 2022
- Jul 1, 2021 Greenspoon Marder Partner Barry Somerstein Selected as an Honoree for South Florida Business & Wealth’s 2021 Real Estate Awards
- May 20, 2021 Greenspoon Marder Practice Groups Ranked In Chambers and Partners USA For 2021
- May 20, 2021 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Ranked In Chambers and Partners USA For 2021
- Apr 9, 2021 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Recognized By The South Florida Legal Guide As “Top Lawyers” And “Top Up & Comers” For 2021
- Oct 5, 2020 Greenspoon Marder Innovation Summit Webinar Recordings
- Sep 30, 2020 Day Two Recap: Greenspoon Marder Innovation Summit
- Sep 8, 2020 Greenspoon Marder Partners Barry Somerstein And Dana Somerstein Named To The Daily Business Review’s 2020 Florida Trailblazers
- Jun 29, 2020 Greenspoon Marder Partners Barry Somerstein, Mark Somerstein, And Alan Somerstein Recognized By IFLR1000
- Apr 23, 2020 Greenspoon Marder Ranked By Chambers And Partners USA In Florida: Real Estate For 2020
- Mar 30, 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Includes Two Small Business Loan Programs: Which to Choose?
- Aug 15, 2019 33 Attorneys From Greenspoon Marder Listed in the Best Lawyers in America© 2020
- Jun 12, 2019 Greenspoon Marder Partners Mark Somerstein, Barry Somerstein, And Alan Somerstein Recognized By IFLR1000
- Apr 25, 2019 Greenspoon Marder Ranked By Chambers and Partners USA In Florida: Real Estate For 2019
- Feb 28, 2019 Greenspoon Marder Recognized by the South Florida Legal Guide as a “Top Law Firm” For 2019
- Nov 28, 2018 Greenspoon Marder Supports the Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward 2018 Conference Launch
- Nov 8, 2018 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Selected as 2018 Legal Leaders
- Aug 16, 2018 Greenspoon Marder Partners Barry Somerstein and Mark Somerstein Recognized As IFLR1000 Elite Dealmakers
- Aug 15, 2018 35 Attorneys From Greenspoon Marder Listed In The Best Lawyers in America© 2019
- Jun 18, 2018 Super Lawyers Recognizes 22 Attorneys at Greenspoon Marder as “Super Lawyers” in Florida
- May 4, 2018 Greenspoon Marder Recognized by Chambers and Partners USA 2018
- Mar 10, 2018 Greenspoon Marder Supports the Broward Center of Performing Arts Annual Celebration Featuring Steve Martin and Martin Short
- Nov 15, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Supports ICSC’S South Florida Idea Exchange
- Nov 14, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Receive 2018 AV Preeminent Rating By Martindale-Hubbell
- Nov 3, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Receive 2017 AV Preeminent Rating By Martindale-Hubbell
- Oct 19, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Supports The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
- Aug 14, 2017 34 Attorneys from Greenspoon Marder Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018
- Jun 7, 2017 Super Lawyers Recognizes 21 Attorneys at Greenspoon Marder in Florida
- May 31, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Announces Rankings In Chambers And Partners USA 2017
- May 10, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Supports Nova Southeastern University Ambassadors Board Breakfast Meeting
- Apr 23, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Shareholder Barry Somerstein Represents Seven King Holdings in Largest Transaction of Florida Boating History
- Jan 1, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Listed Among South Florida Legal Guide’s Top Lawyers in 2017
- Nov 26, 2016 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Selected as 2016 Legal Leaders
- Aug 15, 2016 32 Attorneys from Greenspoon Marder Listed in the Best Lawyers in America 2017
- Jun 23, 2016 Super Lawyers Recognizes 38 Attorneys at Greenspoon Marder
- Jan 15, 2016 20 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Listed Among South Florida Legal Guide’s Top Lawyers in 2016
- Aug 17, 2015 25 Greenspoon Marder Law Attorneys Listed Among 2016 Best Lawyers in America
- Jun 12, 2015 26 Greenspoon Marder Law Attorneys Listed Among 2015 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Nov 17, 2014 Nine Greenspoon Marder Law Attorney’s Selected for the 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition
- Aug 21, 2014 Twenty-Three Greenspoon Marder Law Attorneys Listed Among Best Lawyers in America in 2015
- Jun 10, 2014 Fifteen Greenspoon Marder Law Attorney’s Selected as 2014 Florida Super Lawyers, and Ten as 2014 Florida Rising Stars
- Jan 29, 2014 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Selected as Finalists for Lifestyle Media Group’s Leaders In Law Award
- Jan 20, 2014 Barry Somerstein mentioned in the Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Winter 2013 Center Stage issue
- Jan 16, 2014 Twenty One Attorneys Ranked as “Top Lawyers” and Greenspoon Marder Listed as a “Top Law Firm” in the 2014 South Florida Legal Guide
- Sep 14, 2013 Barry Somerstein to Speak at the South Florida Legal Guide lunch roundtable on the topic of “Commercial Real Estate Lending and Financing”, September 24, 2013.
- Aug 21, 2013 Twenty-Three Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Listed Among Best Lawyers in America in 2014
- Jun 13, 2013 26 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Listed Among Florida Super Lawyers
- Nov 1, 2012 Greenspoon Marder Named Among the 2013 “Best Law Firms”
- Aug 23, 2012 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Named Among The Best Lawyers in America® 2013
- Dec 5, 2011 Greenspoon Marder Named as Top Law Firm 2012