Former Tampa City Attorney Gina Grimes Joins Bradley to Expand Real Estate & Economic Development Practices

Former Tampa City Attorney Gina Grimes is joining Bradley as a partner, where she will lead the firm’s land use planning and economic development efforts in Florida. In that role, she will focus her practice on real estate and economic development matters pertaining to land use, zoning, and governmental affairs, assisting clients throughout the entire life cycle of significant real estate development projects across the state. Ms. Grimes will officially join Bradley on November 1.

Ms. Grimes previously served as Chief Assistant City Attorney and City Council Attorney for the City of Tampa from 1985 to 2004 before joining the Tampa law firm of Hill, Ward and Henderson as a land use and zoning partner for 15 years. Ms. Grimes served as the Tampa City Attorney for the past three years following her appointment to that position by Mayor Jane Castor.

“Gina is considered one of the most experienced and preeminent land use attorneys in Florida, marking a significant addition to our firm’s growing real estate development and construction team in Tampa,” said Bradley Tampa Office Managing Partner R. Craig Mayfield. “We are excited to welcome her to the firm and know that her background in both the public and private sectors will enhance the already high level of service we are able to provide our real estate and construction clients throughout the country and particularly in Florida.” 

Ms. Grimes is the most recent addition to Bradley’s real estate development and construction practices in Florida. In February, the construction team of Ben Dachepalli, Tim Ford and Ron Espinal joined the firm, substantially expanding the firm’s construction practice in Tampa.

“The addition of Gina Grimes to our Tampa office, along with Ben, Tim and Ron, provides our clients with a leading real estate development and construction team in the market,” said Bradley’s Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters. 

“Gina and I worked together for 15 years, and I am so excited to team up with her again at Bradley,” added Bradley Construction Practice Group Partner Ben Dachepalli. “Combining Gina’s expertise in land use and zoning with our existing real estate and construction practices will provide clients with true turnkey legal services for real estate development projects throughout our region.”

Brooks R. Smith, leader of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, added, “The addition of Gina reflects yet another important step in our strategic growth plan for the Florida market, building upon a team of exceptional attorneys well-equipped to handle each phase of real estate development.”

Ms. Grimes’s practice will include representation of both public and private-sector clients in all local government and development matters. She has extensive experience in all areas of land use, including land use litigation, Development of Regional Impacts (DRIs), comprehensive planning, zoning, subdivisions, impact fees, development design regulations, historic preservation, concurrency, and building and permitting regulatory issues. Additionally, as part of Bradley’s Economic Development practice, Ms. Grimes will represent and counsel private-sector clients regarding resolution of issues with government agencies, including matters such as economic development incentives, regulatory legislation, and the preparation and negotiation of various agreements with government agencies. Ms. Grimes is a member of The Florida Bar’s Local Governmental Law Section and Environmental and Land Use Section, and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. She received a variety of appointments by the Tampa City Council and the Hillsborough County Commission to serve on public boards impacting community concerns such as cultural, budgeting, economic development, and the Hillsborough County Charter.