People

Neisen O. Kasdin

Co-Office Managing Partner

Miami

Neisen is very highly regarded by his peers and by the municipalities and local governments.

Chambers USA

Neisen is very well connected, very responsive, and very thoughtful.

Chambers USA

Neisen is a master at his craft. Always on point...A pleasure to work with on complex issues in an ever-changing environment.

Chambers USA

Neisen is the guru of real estate entitlements. His connections in the community are second to none.

Legal 500

Neisen Kasdin serves as co-office managing partner of Akerman's Miami office. A former mayor of Miami Beach and leader in the revitalization of South Beach, he brings extensive civic experience to his work on urban revitalization and the development of complex, large-scale, multi-use projects.

Respected as a leader in urban development, he served as vice chair of the board of directors for the Miami Downtown Development Authority and was responsible for leading the creation of Miami’s Downtown Master Plan. Many of his clients’ projects – from Brickell City Centre to Miami's Design District and the Faena District – have been groundbreaking, transforming Miami’s urban spaces with a blend of retail, office, and residential properties. In addition to large-scale projects, Neisen has represented clients in developments in emerging Miami neighborhoods such as Little Haiti and Wynwood.

Neisen is recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 as a leading land use and zoning lawyer in Florida. Clients value his attention to detail and thorough knowledge of building codes and government agencies, as well as his deep understanding of what a neighborhood needs, what is achievable, and what challenges may arise in the future.

Notable Work

Brickell City Centre:

Represented Swire Properties in development of the Brickell City Centre project in downtown Miami, a $1.5 billion, 5.5 million square foot mixed-use development in the city’s financial district. The project includes office space, retail, residential units, hotel, and underground parking. A model of large-scale mixed-use projects, it is the first Special Area Plan built under the Miami 21 Zoning Code.

Miami Design District:

Represented Miami Design District Associates in the development of an unprecedented one million square foot retail, residential, and arts district. Handled all aspects of development approvals, including vacating rights of way, re-plating and zoning, and site plan approvals as a Special Area Plan built under the Miami 21 Zoning Code.

Faena District:

Represented Faena Group in the acquisition, approval process, and environmental work for an approximately $1 billion, three-block, mixed-use oceanfront development, including hotels, condominium apartments, retail, restaurants, arts and cultural center, and underground parking.

Citizens Independent Transportation Trust (CITT), Speaker, "Mobility Matters Podcast - The Intersection of Development and Transportation," November 30, 2023
Miami Today, Quoted, "Miami and Miami Beach thriving together, Kasdin observes," May 26, 2022
Commercial Observer, Quoted, "Q&A With Akerman’s Neisen Kasdin on Miami’s Rising Star," March 31, 2021
RE Miami Beach, Quoted, "The Future of Commercial Real Estate in Miami Beach," March 13, 2021
RE Miami Beach, Quoted, "Aman Residential Tower Approved for Miami Beach," February 13, 2021
GlobeSt, Quoted, "Neisen Kasdin on Miami 21’s Special Area Plans," January 4, 2021
Law360, Quoted, "New Census Data May Trigger Rethink Of Opportunity Zones," October 30, 2020
South Florida Business Journal, Quoted, "South Florida's Distressed Real Estate Market Attracts Vulture Investors," October 9, 2020
Neisen Kasdin has spoken and written extensively on urban revitalization, public-private projects, land use, and historic preservation for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and other organizations.
2019 Akerman U.S. Real Estate Sector Report , Contributor
2018 Akerman U.S. Real Estate Sector Report , Contributor
2017 Akerman U.S. Real Estate Sector Report, Contributor
Daily Business Review's 2nd Annual South Florida Real Estate Conference, Panelist, "Opportunities in South Florida Commercial Real Estate," October 22, 2015
Guide to Doing Business in Florida, Co-Author, "Land Use: Easements and Zoning," September 2013
Urban Land Institute Charles F. Shaw Forum, Faculty Co-Chair, "Innovative Public-Private Partnerships," 2012
Guide to Doing Business in Florida, Co-Author, "Real Estate Regulation," August 2011
Growth Management and Environmental Permitting Short Course, Speaker, "Traditional Neighborhood Development: from Downtown to Greenfields," Daytona Beach, Florida, February 2007
Bring Back New Orleans Committee, Urban Land Institute, Speaker, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 2005
Asociacion de Constructores de Hogares de Puerto Rico, Annual Conference, Speaker, "Creating Value: The Miami Beach Story," Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico, October 2005
International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Florida Conference, Speaker, "Public-Private Partnerships," Orlando, Florida, August 2005
Japan Development Bank, Mayor's Forum, Speaker, "Creating Value: The Miami Beach Story," Tokyo, Japan, July 2005
Florida Chamber of Commerce, Growth Management and Environmental Short Course, Speaker, "Successful New Urbanism Projects," Orlando, Florida, February 2004 and March 2005
Barcelona Meeting Point, Speaker, "Principals of Urban Revitalization," Barcelona, Spain, September 2004
The Urban Land Institute Latin American Conference, Speaker, "Urban Revitalization," Sao Paolo, Brasil, July 2003
Americas Meeting Point, Speaker, "The South Beach Story: Key Elements in the Revitalization of South Beach," Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 2000

City National Bank of Florida, Board Member
Miami Downtown Development Authority, Past Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Urban Land Institute (ULI), Governor, Trustee and Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council, Past Chair
New World Symphony, Member and Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Beacon Council, Past Chair
University of Miami School of Architecture, Masters in Real Estate and Urbanism Advisory Board Member and Past Chair
Faena Art Center, Board Member and Secretary
Miami-Dade County Bar Association, Member
The Florida Bar, Member
South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Past Board Member
Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Past Board Member
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Transportation Committee, Past Chair; New World Center Committee, Past Chair

Chambers USA, 2009-2024, Ranked in Florida (South Florida) for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Best Lawyers, 2015-2025, Listed in Florida for Land Use and Zoning Law
South Florida Business Journal, 2021, 2024, Listed as a “Power Leader” in South Florida
Florida Trend, 2020-2021, 2023-2024, Listed in Florida Amongst the 500 Most Influential Executives
South Florida Business Journal, 2023, Listed as "Power Leader" in Education and Professional Services
City & State Florida, 2023, Listed on "South Florida Power 100" in Politics and Government
Miami-Dade Bar Association, Circle of Excellence Award, 2023
Florida Trend's Legal Elite, 2023, Listed as a "Notable Managing Partner"
Daily Business Review, Professional Excellence Awards, “Distinguished Leader,” 2021
South Florida Business Journal, Ultimate CEO, 2020
Urban Land Institute, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2019
South Florida Business Journal, 2017, 2014, Listed as a Power Leader in South Florida Commercial Real Estate
Daily Business Review, 2015, Lifetime Achievement Award for Professional Excellence
South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers, 2012, 2014-2019, Listed for Real Estate
The Legal 500, 2019-2024, Recommended in Florida for Land Use/Zoning
The Legal 500, 2008-2009, 2019, 2020, Recommended in Florida for Real Estate and Construction - Land Use and Zoning
The Legal 500, 2013, 2015-2017, Recommended for Real Estate and Construction - Real Estate
Super Lawyers Magazine, 2014, 2016-2023, Listed in Florida for Land Use/Zoning
Business Leader Magazine, 2009 and 2012, Recognized as a "Power Player" in South Florida
South Florida Business Journal, 2011, Listed as Heavy Hitter in South Florida Commercial Real Estate
Shining Star Award, Arts & Business Council of Miami, 2011
Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2007-2008, Listed for Environmental and Land Use
Dade Cultural Alliance, Elected Official of the Year
Miami Design Preservation League, Chairman's Award
Florida Redevelopment Association, Florida Redevelopment Official of the Year
Dade Human Rights Foundation, Special Citation
Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Service Award
American Institute of Architects, Miami Chapter, Government Official of the Year
Bring Back New Orleans Committee, Urban Land Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 2005
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Bill Colson Award
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated

Neisen O. Kasdin

Notable Work

Published Work and Lectures

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Honors and Distinctions

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