Events
National Housing and Florida Legislative/Governmental Update
May 4, 2012 | Miami
| The Bankers Club of Miami
Duane Morris LLP will sponsor an invitation-only, industry leader breakfast roundtable featuring a blue-ribbon panel of real estate insiders, including: Ronald Book, Esq.; Maurice Veissi, President of National Association of Realtors (NAR); Gerald N. "Jerry" Giovaniello, Chief Lobbyist of NAR; and Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of NAR. The panel will be moderated by Duane Morris real estate attorney Brian Belt. The event will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012, from 8 to 10 a.m. at The Bankers Club of Miami.
About the Program
This in-depth real estate overview will cover Florida and local legislative and regulatory developments pertaining to real estate, including: gambling, environmental, urban development boundaries, infrastructure needs, funding issues, other current initiatives and pending issues and current regulatory climate.
Speakers will also explore the housing industry. Its current status and forecast, by region and product type (with an emphasis on multi-family); analysis of potential headwinds; pending federal legislation and regulatory issues (including visas for home purchasers); the future of the secondary markets: Fannie and Freddie; working with Fannie and Freddie; bulk purchases of mortgages are all topics of relevance to those involved with the real estate market today.
About the Speakers
Ronald L. Book is president and CEO of Ronald L. Book, P.A., a law firm that specializes in government affairs. The firm is considered one of the premier lobbying firms in Florida, with unparalleled experience in the appropriations process. Mr. Book has drafted and successfully lobbied for passage of dozens of laws, including the creation of several tax incentive packages, tax exemptions, tort reform measures and economic development/sports-related issues. He also has an extensive knowledge base of the current state and local regulatory environment.
Gerald N. "Jerry" Giovaniello is senior vice president of government affairs and chief lobbyist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR). He manages the association's government affairs staff. Mr. Giovaniello was recently named as one of the top association lobbyists in Washington, D.C. for 2011 by The Hill, a prominent Capitol Hill trade publication. He has also been named as one of the country's 100 most influential real estate leaders by INMAN News.
Maurice Veissi is currently president of NAR and the broker-owner of Veissi & Associates in Miami, which specializes in land acquisition. He has been a realtor for more than 40 years, and has actively participated in the organization in a variety of roles. Mr. Veissi has served on the board of directors since 1999 and also was a regional vice president and the 2008 political fundraising chair for NAR's political action committee.
Lawrence Yun is chief economist and senior vice president of research at NAR. He directs research activity for the association and regularly provides commentary on real estate market trends for the organization's members. Dr. Yun formulates NAR's forecasts and also participates in numerous forecasting panels, including Blue Chip and the Harvard University Industrial Economist Council, and has been named among the "100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders" by INMAN News. He speaks and comments frequently on major news outlets such as CNBC and CNN.
Moderator Brian Belt is a member of Duane Morris' Real Estate Practice Group. He has extensive experience in acquiring, structuring, developing, financing and restructuring complex mixed-use hospitality projects. Mr. Belt has represented owners, lenders and developers of real estate, condominium and marina projects through the United States and internationally. His experience also includes due diligence, land use, leasing, construction and financing.
