James R. Williams Jr.

James R. Williams Jr. is a Miami real estate attorney who focuses his practice in the areas of governmental advocacy, land use and zoning, and environmental law. He represents international, national and local developers and property owners in securing entitlements and permits for a broad range of developments consisting of, but not limited to, singe-family and multifamily residential, commercial, office, mixed-use, industrial, religious, educational and medical. He represents clients before all of the counties and many of the municipalities in South Florida such as Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, City of Doral, City of Homestead and City of South Miami.

Mr. Williams represents his clients through the entire development process, from due diligence, comprehensive planning and zoning approvals to subdivision and building permit issues. He has extensive experience securing approvals for a wide range of applications, such as Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) amendments, zoning district boundary changes (rezonings), variances, special exceptions and other similar development applications.

As to his environmental practice, Mr. Williams has secured complex environmental approvals relating to water and sewer extensions, wellfield protection areas, septic tanks and sewage treatment package plants before the Miami-Dade County Environmental Quality Control Board. He also has experience working closely with environmental professionals to assist his clients in obtaining incentives under the Brownfields Redevelopment Act.

As part of Mr. Williams' practice, he routinely appears before county and city commissions, local zoning boards and specialized boards and agencies throughout South Florida. He also works extensively with local governments to draft legislation on behalf of his clients. The types of development projects that Mr. Williams has secured approvals for include low-, mid- and high-rise residential condominium and rental projects, affordable and workforce housing projects, single-family residential communities, retail/commercial shopping centers, large industrial building complexes, hospital/healthcare-related facilities, assisted living facilities/extended care facilities, places of worship, school campuses and public-private partnership projects.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Williams founded his own land use and zoning law firm and worked for several local governments throughout South Florida. He served as interim assistant city attorney for the City of Sunny Isles Beach, as a legal consultant for the City of Miami and as a consultant for the Miami-Dade County Platting and Traffic Review division.

Media Coverage

• South Florida Business Journal, Baptist Health proposes new hospital in Miami-Dade, September 11, 2023
• South Florida Business Journal, Easton Group proposes apartment complex in Doral, October 21, 2022
• South Florida Business Journal, Apartment complex planned near South Miami Metrorail Station, July 25, 2022
• South Florida Business Journal, 8-story senior living facility proposed in Miami, October 21, 2021
• South Florida Business Journal, Denny's restaurant could be demolished for apartment project, March 22, 2021
• South Florida Business Journal, Butters Construction proposes warehouse on agricultural land, June 9, 2020
• South Florida Business Journal, Home in Miami-Dade could be rezoned for office building, November 5, 2018
• South Florida Business Journal, Lennar subsidiary proposes 446 homes on Miami-Dade farmland, June 7, 2018