Stephen D. Steve Rees,

Expert Guidance Through a Complex Land Use Approval

We engaged Stephen Rees to assist our small business with a complex site plan approval and conditional use permit in Lakewood Ranch. Navigating the municipal and zoning regulations felt like an insurmountable challenge, but Stephen’s deep expertise in land use law was immediately apparent. His recognition in Best Lawyers for Land Use and Zoning, Municipal, and Real Estate Law is well-earned. He possesses a granular understanding of the local codes and a practical, strategic approach to presenting a case to planning boards. His twenty years of experience, particularly in this region, meant he anticipated every question and objection, which allowed us to prepare thoroughly. The process concluded successfully with the approvals we needed, and his counsel was invaluable in avoiding costly delays. The one area where we occasionally felt a slight lag was in email response times during non-critical phases, though he was always immediately available for urgent matters. Overall, Stephen Rees provided exceptional, knowledgeable representation. I would confidently recommend him to anyone facing real estate development or municipal law hurdles in the Sarasota/Manatee County area.