Elena Otero

Elena Otero is a transactional attorney in Holland & Knight's Miami office. Ms. Otero’s practice primarily focuses on advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families and family offices on real estate investments, including luxury residential and high-end commercial real estate transactions. She also has a traditional real estate and finance and banking law practice, focused on commercial real estate and commercial lending.

Ms. Otero works closely with the firm's private wealth group to counsel ultra-high-net-worth clients and families and their businesses, family offices and other private investors in their real estate investments, acquisitions and dispositions. She assists these clients in evaluating opportunities amidst the rapid changes the real estate market is undergoing. Ms. Otero counsels clients not only as they acquire, dispose, lease or finance their assets, but also serves as a resource to help ensure their real estate investments align with the overall plan for the clients, their families, businesses and broader collection of assets, as well as keeps in mind generational concerns and goals. She has extensive experience in post-closing asset management, structuring purchases anonymously to protect a client's identity, and anticipating clients' needs in the real estate investment arena.

Ms. Otero's traditional real estate experience advising developers includes representation in various types of projects such as land development, condominiums, mixed-use developments, joint venture investments, hotels, restaurants, retail and office buildings. That representation usually involves navigating contractual, zoning and other developmental issues that arise as project development evolves. She also assists clients with management of real estate assets and a multitude of contractual agreements, including subleases, licenses and assignment agreements. She also represents clients in the acquisition, development, leasing (including sale-leaseback, triple-net and build-to-suit lease transactions), disposition and financing of commercial and residential real estate.

Additionally, Ms. Otero counsels local, national and international financial institutions and lenders in commercial lending transactions, including construction and permanent real estate financing, healthcare real estate finance, commercial and industrial loans, and asset-based lending. She also has experience representing institutional and private lending clients with licensing, regulatory and compliance matters.

Lastly, Ms. Otero is active in her community, currently serving, among other positions, on the Eleventh Circuit Grievance Committee I for the Florida Bar, Women United Executive Committee for United Way Miami and Women's Leadership Council for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami.

Media Coverage

• Law360, "Miami's Latest Real Estate Boom May Indicate New Reality," May 12, 2022
• St. Pete Catalyst, "Developer Behind $70M Luxury Clearwater Condo Project Secures Loan from Mexican Bank," July 3, 2021
• The Real Deal, "Miami Worldcenter Developer Sells Site to Abbhi Capital for $24M," August 5, 2020
• RPTE eReport, "Leasing Guidance During COVID-19: A Look at Various Lease Covenants," June 15, 2020
• South Florida Business Journal, "$210M Loan Funds Construction of Salmon Farming Plant Near Homestead," April 24, 2020
• The Real Deal, "Homestead Salmon Farm Reels in $210M Construction Loan," April 23, 2020
• GlobeSt.com, "Apartment Tower Scores $70M to Rise in Miami Growth Area," August 7, 2019
• The Real Deal, "Developer Scores $70M Construction Loan for Apartment Project Near North Miami," June 18, 2019
• Daily Business Review, "Melo Group's Art Plaza Project Gets $85M Loan With Help From Holland & Knight," June 12, 2018
• REBusiness Online, "Melo Group Receives $85M Construction Loan for Two-Tower Apartment Project in Downtown Miami," June 7, 2018
• Multi-Housing News, "Melo Group Scores $85M Financing for Residential Towers," June 7, 2018
• The Real Deal, "Melo Closes $85M Construction Loan for Art Plaza Apartments," June 6, 2018
• The Real Deal, "Palace Group Scores $95M Loan for Senior Living Community in Weston," April 4, 2018
• South Florida Business Journal, "High-End Senior Living Complex Breaks Ground in Weston," April 4, 2018
• Daily Business Review, "Miami Holland & Knight Team Closes $20 Million Burger King Financing," March 20, 2018
• Sunview Companies, "Planned Hotel Indigo in Brickell Closes on $35M Loan," December 21, 2015
• South Florida Business Journal, "Hotel Indigo Breaks Ground in Miami’s Brickell With $35M Ocean Bank Loan," October 21, 2015
• Bisnow, "Aria on the Bay Bags $95M Construction Loan," August 2015