Overview

Jim is one of the founding attorneys and serves as President and Chair of the firm. Jim previously served as the Managing Shareholder of the firm for over 20 years.

Jim's practice primarily involves business and real estate transactions. Jim has experience in a wide range of sophisticated commercial business and real estate matters, including land acquisition and development, mergers and acquisitions, leasing and financing transactions. He also regularly acts as outside general counsel to a variety of clients.

Jim has actively represented automobile dealerships, with a particular emphasis on dealership acquisitions and dispositions, as well as related real property transactions. Jim has represented a NYSE dealership group in multiple acquisitions of significant auto dealership real estate portfolios.

Jim represents a number of significant owners of real estate, as well as national and local development entities in their real estate matters. Jim was the lead attorney on the sale of nearly 30,000 acres of real property located in Central Florida, one of the largest single land transfers in the state.  He also completed a sales transaction including more than 7,000 acres of citrus and related agricultural properties. Jim was lead counsel for the sale of an approximate 1,000,000 square foot warehouse facility and has been very active in the acquisition and development of distribution facilities for a major internet retailer.

Jim is active in leadership positions with several of Tampa's civic, charitable and social organizations. In addition to being a member of the Florida Council of 100, Jim has served on or is a member of the Boards of Directors of The Florida Aquarium, The Tampa Bay History Center, Jesuit High School, The Academy of the Holy Names, and Positive Coaching Alliance of Tampa Bay. Jim was also a long-time (17 years) youth baseball coach.

Honors

  • AV Preeminent® Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyer, Real Estate (2014-2024)
  • Florida Super Lawyers (2006-2024)
    • Top 50: Tampa Bay Super Lawyers List (2021)
  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite (2008-2012, 2017)
    • Notable Managing Partner (2023)
  • Leadership Tampa: Graduate
  • Super Lawyers Business Edition (2013)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2006-2025)
    • 2019 Tampa Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year
    • 2017 Tampa Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year
  • Chambers USA 2024

Credentials & Experience

Education

University of Virginia, B.A., 1981, High Distinction: Phi Beta Kappa

Duke University School of Law, J.D., 1984, High Honors

  • Order of the Coif
  • Law and Contemporary Problems: Senior Editor 

Bar Admissions

American Bar Association

The Florida Bar

Hillsborough County Bar Association

Professional & Civic

Community & Professional

  • Member, The Florida Council of 100
  • University of Virginia Jefferson Scholarship Selection Committee: Chair, Tampa Region
  • Tampa Bay History Center
    • Past Chair
    • Board of Trustees 
  • Tampa Bay History Center Foundation: Board of Trustees 
  • Jesuit High School of Tampa: Board of Trustees; Chair, 2021-2024
  • Jesuit High School Foundation: President 2020-2021
  • American College of Real Estate Lawyers
  • American Bar Foundation: Life Fellow
  • American Bar Association
    • Business Section
    • Real Estate Section
    • Tax Section
  • The Florida Bar: Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Executive Council
  • Inner City Youth Reading Initiative, John Germany Read to Dream Program: Founding Steering Committee Member
  • Bayshore Fitness Trail Initiative; Original and Continuing Steering Committee Member
  • Graduate, Leadership Tampa 

Newsroom

News & Insights

Articles & Publications

  • "Ethics: Stay Up To Date So You Don't Stay Up Late", The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Annual Legislative Update Program, July 2013.  
  • "Recent Amendments to Article 9 of the UCC." Presenter, The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Annual Legislative Update Program, July 2012.
  • "Ethics in an Evolving Real Estate Marketplace." Presenter, The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Annual Legislative Update Program, July 2011.

Noteworthy

Chambers USA ranks the leading lawyers and law firms across the USA. Legal rankings are based on in-depth market analysis and independent research, conducted by an experienced team of researchers. Individual lawyers are ranked in their practice area(s) based on legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness and client service.

“Jim Robbins consistently exceeds expectations in every way and delivers the highest level of legal advice. He treats his client's issues as his own.” Client quote, Chambers USA 2024

“He is excellent commercial counsel.” Client quote, Chambers USA 2024

"Jim Robbins is an attorney who manages both client issues and firm issues with ease. Attorneys representing the other side of transaction respect and admire his ability to be tough, yet fair." Client quote, Chambers USA 2023

"Jim Robbins is an incredible attorney who is thoughtful and detail-oriented." Client quote, Chambers USA 2022

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