St. Augustine Commercial Leasing Attorneys | St. Johns Law Group

Protecting Your Interests in Florida Commercial Leases

Commercial leases are far more complex than residential rental agreements. Whether you’re a landlord leasing retail, office, or industrial space, or a business tenant negotiating terms, every clause in a commercial lease can impact your financial security and legal rights for years.

At St. Johns Law Group, St. Augustine’s largest law firm, our commercial leasing attorneys draft, review, and negotiate leases for clients throughout St. Johns, Flagler, Duval, Clay, and surrounding counties. We also litigate disputes when leases are breached or contested. With more than 250 years of combined legal experience, our team provides the legal precision you need to safeguard your property or business.

Why Commercial Leasing Requires an Attorney

Commercial leases are not standardized. Each agreement is tailored, meaning:

• Tenants may face hidden costs or unexpected obligations.

• Landlords may be exposed to liability if leases are poorly drafted.

• Negotiation leverage is critical before signing.

Unlike real estate agents or brokers, attorneys focus on legal enforceability and risk prevention, ensuring your contract holds up in court if disputes arise.

📌 See also: Contract Review & Closing Attorneys

Our Commercial Leasing Services

Lease Drafting & Negotiation

We create and negotiate clear, enforceable commercial leases, including:

• Retail space leases

• Office building leases

• Industrial and warehouse agreements

• Ground leases and land use contracts

Our attorneys address key provisions like rent escalation, renewal rights, build-out allowances, common area maintenance (CAM) charges, and default remedies.

Tenant Representation

Tenants often sign landlord-prepared leases that favor the property owner. We protect business tenants by:

• Reviewing leases for hidden costs

• Negotiating favorable terms on rent, maintenance, and repairs

• Ensuring assignment and sublease rights are clear

• Safeguarding rights to improvements and use

📌 Explore further: Commercial Real Estate

Landlord Representation

As a landlord, your lease is your first line of defense in protecting your investment. We help landlords by:

• Drafting customized leases that minimize risk

• Enforcing payment and maintenance obligations

• Pursuing remedies when tenants breach

• Handling eviction actions for nonpayment or lease violations

📌 See also: Landlord–Tenant & Eviction Attorneys

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Even well-drafted leases may end in conflict. Our litigation team represents landlords and tenants in:

• Breach of lease lawsuits

• CAM charge disputes

• Tenant build-out and repair obligations

• Lease termination and eviction

• Guarantor enforcement actions

📌 Related Service: Real Estate Litigation Attorneys

Benefits of Working with St. Johns Law Group

• Full-Service Real Estate Firm: From closings to litigation, we handle the full property lifecycle.

• Local Insight: Decades of experience in Northeast Florida courts and markets.

• Balanced Advocacy: We represent both landlords and tenants, giving us unique insight into both perspectives.

• Responsive Service: Our attorneys provide Dedicated & Responsive Service®—keeping your deal moving forward.

Attorneys Handling Commercial Leasing

• Douglas N. Burnett – Founder, experienced in land use, development, and commercial real estate.

• Shaun Saliba – Focused on litigation involving lease enforcement and commercial disputes.

• John L. Whiteman – Senior counsel with decades of experience in high-value real estate matters.

FAQs About Florida Commercial Leasing

What makes a commercial lease different from a residential lease?
Commercial leases are negotiable contracts with no standardized form. Terms vary greatly and typically shift responsibility for taxes, insurance, and repairs onto tenants.

Can a tenant break a commercial lease in Florida?
It depends on the contract. Most leases include default and termination provisions. Without them, breaking a lease can lead to significant damages claims.

What are CAM charges?
Common Area Maintenance charges cover shared property expenses. Tenants often dispute these costs if not clearly defined.

Do landlords need an attorney to evict a commercial tenant?
Yes—eviction is a legal process that must comply with Florida law. Attempting “self-help” actions like lockouts can expose landlords to liability.

📞Call St. Augustine Commercial Leasing Attorneys

📞 Call 904.495.0400 or email info@sjlawgroup.com to schedule a consultation.

At St. Johns Law Group, we help landlords and tenants draft, negotiate, and enforce commercial leases that protect their interests and minimize risk.