Dustin P. Stevens

Dustin P. Stevens is a real estate attorney in Holland & Knight's Atlanta office. Mr. Stevens focuses his practice on retail real estate, real estate development, real estate finance and land use.

Mr. Stevens brings a distinct perspective to his practice, combining 13 years of law firm experience with more than five years as in-house real estate counsel for a major national retailer. During his time in-house, Mr. Stevens led the legal side of his company's new store pipeline, overseeing the ground lease, space lease or purchase of more than 150 new retail locations nationwide. This experience provided him with first-hand insight into the business drivers, operational priorities and risk considerations that shape in-house legal decision-making.

Mr. Stevens handles complex commercial real estate transactions, including acquisition, disposition and development of shopping centers, retail outparcels, mixed-use projects and raw land. His practice includes drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, reciprocal easement agreements and development agreements, as well as reviewing due diligence materials, including title, survey and local land use and zoning controls. Mr. Stevens also has experience resolving site development issues related to access, utilities, local government regulations and approvals, as well as environmental remediation.

Mr. Stevens has particular experience representing landlords and tenants in commercial leasing of shopping centers and outparcels, high-rise office buildings, mixed-use projects, warehouse and industrial sites, and raw land. He drafts and negotiates ground, office and retail leases, as well as subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements (SNDAs), estoppel certificates, lease amendments, management agreements and other leasing documents.

In addition, Mr. Stevens has extensive experience in property management transactions and disputes, including lease interpretation, common area maintenance (CAM) charge negotiations and construction-related matters. He has supported litigation teams on real estate and construction disputes, providing substantive legal analysis and coordination.

Prior to his in-house role, Mr. Stevens practiced at Holland & Knight's Orlando office for 13 years, where he developed extensive experience in the representation of national retail clients, including a large retail financial institution in the acquisition and leasing of shopping center outparcels and inline space, as well as free-standing locations. He also represented a nationally recognized hotel brand in site identification, control, due diligence and development activities nationwide.

While in law school, Mr. Stevens served as a federal judicial intern in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida for the Honorable Anne Conway.

Admitted in Florida only.