Robert Leapley Jr. has been a commercial real estate attorney with Pappas Metcalf Jenks & Miller since 1994.
WHERE WAS HE BEFORE?
He started his real estate attorney career in Miami with Valdes-Fauli Cobb Petrey & Bischoff for two years. “They were a law firm that did a lot of real estate development.” He then moved to Jacksonville and worked for Smith Hulsey & Busey for two years.
WHAT DOES HE DO?
“I do about 80 percent transaction work dealing with buying, selling and developing real estate and 20-30 percent land use and zoning work particularly in Duval County.” He also does a little bit of zoning work outside of Duval County. “I also do some business entity formation and consultation.”
SPECIALTY?
He practices all aspects of real estate law, but focuses mainly on transactional real estate law.
PASSED THE BAR?
1990.
WHY PRACTICE REAL ESTATE LAW?
“I had been interested in it during law school and my first clerkship was in a real estate based practice, so I sort of went from there.”
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME AN ATTORNEY?
“It sounded like a good opportunity and it seemed challenging.”
ISSUES FACING COMMERCIAL REALTORS AND DEVELOPERS DOWNTOWN?
“I would say right now it would be seeing if the downtown redevelopment will be successful. There are a lot of projects that are in the planning stage or that are not yet completed. So, there is a lot of opportunity for a commercial real estate agent, but it’s not quite there yet. Also, many of those projects are residential condominiums and many of our commercial agents are not used to having that type of product pushed downtown. It’s a residential product in a commercial environment.” But, he said, many of the projects are mixed use so the commercial real estate agents will have opportunities. Another issue commercial real estate agents will be facing in the future is a shortage of Class A space downtown. “We have a lot of buildings that are getting older, so the brokers have a real challenge selling people on older space. As they try to recruit new companies to Jacksonville, they need more Class A space. But, there is a conflict between the need for more Class A space, the economics and getting the funds to develop Class A space.”
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION?
“Through representing various clients that are seeking to develop projects downtown. We are currently representing Vestcor in their projects downtown. So, that seems to be the most useful way to be involved.”
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED DEALING WITH DOWNTOWN PROJECTS?
“We have seen that the City is being pretty flexible to try to make projects work and, hopefully, they will continue with that outlook. There is a lot of infrastructure involved with older buildings that comes under the construction side. It costs more to renovate a building than it often does to build a new one. We still need some help on working out the discrepancy between City codes and historic codes for the developers who are developing the projects.”
ADVICE FOR NEW REAL ESTATE ATTORNEYS?
“I would definitely get with a good practice group so they can get good mentoring and good experience. You have to work hard.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
He is a member of The Florida Bar, the Jacksonville Bar Association, American Bar Association and The California Bar. He is also a member of the local chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and a board member of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
BIRTHPLACE
Washington, D.C.
MOVED TO JACKSONVILLE?
1992.
COLLEGE
He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Florida. His law degree came from the University of Florida College of Law.
FAMILY
He is married to Jeanie. They have two children, Garrett, 4, and Carson, 19 months.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Working with the clients that I work with and getting paid to give my critical input in difficult situations.”
HOBBIES
Fitness, golf and spending time with his family.
RESIDES
Ponte Vedra Beach.
FAVORITES
Leapley enjoys watching movies such as “October Sky” because it was based on real events. He also enjoys reading autobiographies and recently read “Jack: Straight From the Gut,” by Jack Welch. He used to enjoy watching “Seinfeld,” but now has to settle for re-runs. He also likes watching sports. When dining out, he enjoys Giovanni’s and Marker 32. Favorite places to travel include San Diego and Hawaii.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis