At St. Johns Law Group, we provide comprehensive legal services for commercial landlords, tenants, developers, and investors throughout St. Augustine and Northeast Florida. Commercial leases are far more complex than residential agreements and require experienced legal counsel to protect your business interests and long-term investment.
John Whiteman 50 Years of Experience
Doug Burnett 25+ Years of Experience
Whether you are leasing office space, negotiating a retail lease, or preparing a ground lease for a commercial project, our commercial leasing attorneys help you navigate legal risks, draft enforceable lease terms, and ensure compliance with local and state laws.
We offer a full range of legal services related to commercial real estate leasing, including:
We draft clear, enforceable commercial lease agreements that align with the client’s goals. Our leases address key provisions such as:
Rent structure (base rent, percentage rent, escalations)
Common area maintenance (CAM) and operating expenses
Maintenance and repair obligations
Tenant improvement allowances
Signage, parking, and exclusivity rights
Assignment, subleasing, and personal guarantees
Termination rights, renewal options, and default remedies
Before you sign, our attorneys will thoroughly review the proposed lease to identify legal and financial risks. We provide practical advice, highlight problematic terms, and suggest revisions to better protect your position—whether you are the landlord or tenant.
Our team negotiates favorable lease terms on behalf of clients. We ensure that your business objectives are met while maintaining legal and regulatory compliance. We frequently work with brokers, title companies, and property managers to streamline the transaction.
In the event of a dispute, we represent landlords and tenants in:
Lease default enforcement and eviction
Recovery of unpaid rent or damages
Disputes over use, maintenance, or shared expenses
Breach of lease litigation
Early termination or buyout negotiations
Our attorneys are experienced with a broad range of commercial leasing agreements, including:
Office leases (professional, executive, medical)
Retail leases (shopping centers, strip malls, stand-alone)
Industrial and warehouse leases
Ground leases and build-to-suit leases
Triple net (NNN) leases
Modified gross and full-service leases
Multi-tenant commercial building leases
Short-term and long-term commercial rental contracts
We serve both sides of commercial lease transactions and disputes, including:
Commercial landlords and property owners
Retail businesses and franchisees
Medical practices and professional offices
Institutional and corporate tenants
Developers and investment groups
Shopping center and office park owners
National and regional tenants entering Florida markets
No matter the size of your transaction, we provide scalable legal support that protects your rights, reduces liability, and helps you plan long-term.
St. Augustine’s commercial real estate landscape includes historic properties, new developments, mixed-use communities, and coastal zoning issues. Our attorneys understand the local ordinances, permitting concerns, and commercial use restrictions that can impact your lease. We regularly work with city and county planning departments, local business owners, and out-of-area investors seeking legal insight into Northeast Florida’s market.
St. Johns Law Group provides commercial leasing legal services across:
St. Johns County: St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Vilano Beach, World Golf Village, Silverleaf, Beachwalk
Duval County: Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Southside, Mandarin, San Marco
Flagler County: Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell
Clay County: Green Cove Springs, Fleming Island, Middleburg
Putnam County: Palatka, East Palatka, Crescent City
Southern Georgia (select commercial matters): St. Marys, Kingsland, Brunswick
If you are involved in a commercial lease agreement—as a landlord, tenant, or developer—consult with a knowledgeable commercial leasing attorney before signing. At St. Johns Law Group, we provide clear guidance, strategic negotiation, and efficient legal representation that helps your transaction succeed.