Leeanne W. Graziani - Attorney Bio

 

As an attorney, CPA, small business owner, real estate sales professional and developer, I offer a unique perspective to your legal, tax and business needs.  I began my career as a CPA (tax) at KPMG and in the Entrepreneurial Services Group at Ernst & Young LLP working with executives and their closely-held or public companies.  My clients were primarily in the real estate, hospitality, retail, banking and insurance industries.  During my tenure, I also attended law school with an emphasis in tax, IRS controversy and dispute resolution, and real estate.

 

Following my admittance to the Indiana Bar, I joined a publicly-held specialty finance company operating in 40 states and managed its Florida office from which I directed the company's tax compliance; state qualification and licensing; preparation of the annual shareholder meeting and proxy statement; Section 16 reporting to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and the company's employee stock purchase plan and incentive stock plans.  Most notably, we successfully resolved multiple multi-year IRS exams and state tax audits resulting in substantial tax refunds.

 

Thereafter, I joined and consulted for a real estate development partner group as opportunities in our local market arose.  Those real estate projects included retail/office and multi-family/commercial projects.  I coordinated all financial, due diligence and legal aspects of this real estate acquisition and development company, including negotiation of contracts and related agreements, drafting partnership/joint venture agreements, 1031 exchanges, obtaining financing (including restructure, workout or purchase of more than $30 million in real estate notes), and entitlements based on highest and best use of property.

 

We secured entitlements such as annexation and zoning/land use changes for retail and multi-family projects, historical designation for further development of retail projects, and development orders. While most of these projects were positioned for sale as a turn-key operation, I have also managed the daily operations of certain businesses in order to maximize revenues while positioning the business for sale.  

 

I sought and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2011 in order that I might provide a broader range of representation to my clients including commercial real estate developers, high wealth individuals and their related entities, entrepreneurs, investors, retailers, franchisees, transportation, mining operators and not-for-profits.