JAY J. LORENZO

Jay J. Lorenzo is an AV-Preeminent rated attorney specializing in commercial real estate, construction, business, and banking law. Though his extensive legal experience has taken him all over the world, Mr. Lorenzo now calls Miami and Asheville his home. 

In 1980, Mr. Lorenzo joined the Law Department of KBR, Inc. (formerly Brown & Root, Houston, Texas), a US multi-national engineering, procurement, and construction company and former subsidiary of Halliburton. Initially, he was responsible for the legal review of all procurement agreements for Brown & Root projects across the United States. He was later selected by the Associate General Counsel to lead contract negotiations for foreign projects including in the Middle East. Over the next several years, Mr. Lorenzo traveled extensively overseas, managing multiple phases of the project. In 1984, Lorenzo became the lead legal liaison with Brown & Root’s engineering team in London, negotiating the final phase of a $5 billion contract for a Middle Eastern client. For his dedication and diligence in successfully concluding this critical project, Lorenzo received a Distinguished Service Commendation from Brown & Root.

Mr. Lorenzo returned to Miami, Florida, in the mid-1980s, where he co-founded Lorenzo & Capua with his former law school colleague, Peter Capua. The firm focused on commercial litigation, real estate, and land use development, representing contractors and builders.  After his international successes at Brown and Root, Mr. Lorenzo was awarded a government contract to represent the U.S. Marshals Service in the disposition of several hundred RICO forfeiture properties, many of which presented complex title issues stemming from money laundering and other illegal activities. Most cases required extensive investigation with the Federal Courts and U.S. Attorneys to obtain critical documents, warrants, and pleadings. Recognizing the need for standardized title practices, Mr. Lorenzo collaborated with Fidelity National Title to develop a pro forma title commitment specifically addressing forfeiture properties—at a time when underwriters were reluctant to insure such assets. As part of this initiative, he chaired the Florida Bar Committee that created the first uniform title insurance commitment for RICO forfeitures. Fidelity National Title later retained him as outside litigation counsel to defend title claims, a role he fulfilled for seven years.

Today, Mr. Lorenzo is the senior partner at Lorenzo Law and serves as President and CEO of Lincoln Title Company, which recently celebrated 37 years of service to the South Florida community. He continues to act as outside General Counsel for a Miami community bank. Mr. Lorenzo divides his time between Miami, Florida, and Asheville, North Carolina.