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Manuel L. Crespo

Partner
Overview

Manuel L. Crespo is a partner in the Real Estate practice group at Greenspoon Marder. With a career spanning decades, Mr. Crespo focuses his practice on real estate and commercial transactions, including title insurance, condominium development, and complex litigation involving real property disputes. His client portfolio includes national banks, real estate developers, private equity lenders, and local builders, and he has been instrumental in navigating issues related to land acquisition, ownership structuring, and condominium conversions. Additionally, he works with Latin American clients on inbound real estate investments, acquisitions, and other complex real estate matters.

Mr. Crespo is a trusted litigator, representing corporations and individuals in trials to verdict on disputes involving contracts, construction, landlord-tenant issues, foreclosures, and more. He is regularly sought after as a speaker on real estate issues and has been quoted in notable outlets such as Law360 and The Real Deal and moderated panel discussions for the Commercial Observer.

Mr. Crespo has earned multiple accolades for his work in real estate, including recognition among The Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate Litigation, Latino Leaders Magazine’s “Top Latino Lawyers,” and the American Lawyer’s inaugural South Trailblazers list. A native Spanish speaker, he provides exceptional counsel to diverse clients in both domestic and international markets.

Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Crespo has been deeply committed to community service. He is a past president of the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA), one of Florida’s largest minority voluntary bar associations, and now serves on the Board of Directors for CABA’s Pro Bono Project.

Born and raised in Miami, Mr. Crespo graduated with honors from Duquesne University and earned his J.D. from Boston College Law School. He began his career practicing alongside his late father, Honorable Manuel A. Crespo, before establishing his own thriving legal practice.

Bar Admissions

  • Florida

Education

  • J.D., Boston College, 1991
  • B.A., Duquesne University, cum laude, 1988

Other Languages

  • Spanish
Experience

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Agent, Attorney’s Title Insurance Fund, Inc., Member, 1993-Present
  • Coral Gables Bar Association, Member, 2008- Present
  • Cuban American Bar Association, Inc., Board of Directors, 2007-Present
    • Past President, 2015
    • Advisory Committee, Past President
    • 45th Anniversary GALA Committee, Member
  • Cuban American Pro Bono Project, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit
    • Board of Directors, 2024-Present
    • Past President, 2010-2011
    • CABA Pro Bono Project Committee, Chairman, 2008-2010
  • Dade County Bar Association, Member, 2008-Present
    • Director, Board of Directors, 2009-2011
  • The Florida Bar, Member 1991-Present
    • Journal/News Editorial Board Committee, 2025
    • Pro Bono Legal Services Committee, 2025
    • Committee on Diversity & Inclusion, Vice-Chair, 2015-2023
    • Grievance Committee 11C, Chairman, 2017
    • Board of Governors, VBA Delegate, 2015
    • Grievance Committee 11K, Chairman, 2010-2013
    • Foundation, Fellow, 2010-Present
  • Gay and Lesbian Lawyers’ Association, Member, 2015-Present
  • Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., Director, 2008-2012
  • Miami Dade Beacon Council, Member
  • Supreme Court Committee Pro Bono Awards, Committee Member, 2015
  • The Fund President’s Circle, Member, 2016

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “Nuts & Bolts CLE- Asset Purchase and Sale Transactions which Include Real Property,” Greenspoon Marder Attorney Development Program, October 31, 2024
  • Moderator, “Building the Miami of the Future: Balancing Challenges with Infrastructure, Rising Costs, Continued Demand and Current Trends,” South Florida Development & Capital Leadership Forum – Commercial Observer, Miami Beach, FL, October 23, 2024
  • Speaker, “The Growth Mindset: Cultivating Leadership Through Professional Development,” Cuban American Bar Association’s L.E.A.D. Program, October 2024
  • Moderator, “Live, Work & Play: Finding the Right Blend for Mixed-Use Development,” Commercial Observer South Florida Multifamily & Mixed-Use Forum, March 7, 2024
  • Speaker, “2021 FR/BAR Real Estate Sales Contract: Residential and As Is Updates” First American Title, October 8, 2021
  • Moderator, “Miami Real Estate,” Invest Miami: June 19, 2018
Awards

Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers®, “The Best Lawyers in America,” Litigation – Real Estate, 2018-2025
  • Latino Leaders magazine, “Top Latino Lawyer,” 2022
  • The American Lawyer, “Inaugural List of South Trailblazers” 2021
  • Martindale-Hubbell, Rated AV® Preeminent ™
  • Super Lawyers magazine, “Florida Super Lawyer,” Real Estate, 2016-2022
  • South Florida Legal Guide, “Top Lawyer,” 2020
  • FNTG, “Bronze Agent Award,” 2017
  • The Fund, “President’s Circle,” 2015
  • The Fund, “Top Contributors,” 2014
Publications News & Videos

News

Videos