According to an article published in the Midyear 2013 South Florida Legal Guide, large law firms are reporting an increase in transactional legal work, particularly in real estate and construction.

The article cites some trends that are reportedly contributing to this increase in transactions:

• A growing number of foreign contractors are entering the U.S. market by acquiring domestic companies or partnering with them – globalization of the construction industry;
• The push toward using public-private partnerships (“P3”) to design, develop, build, operate, maintain, and finance county and municipal infrastructure projects; and,
• South Florida is attracting substantial investors on a global scale.

Some limiting factors on this trend were also mentioned:

• Difficulty in obtaining real estate financing and construction loans, especially for condominium projects; and,
• Lack of suitable land for new development, especially for smaller homebuilders and developers.