William L. Owens

With more than two decades of experience, Bill serves as outside general counsel for small to mid-sized businesses and governmental entities in southwest Florida. His skill set includes residential and commercial real estate, lending and title insurance services.

As an attorney who served as in-house counsel earlier in his career, Bill has first-hand knowledge and experience in helping clients navigate the changing business and legal landscape. He provides businesses with a broad range of services on topics such as entity organization and governance, mergers and acquisitions, labor and employment, contracts and leasing.

Bill understands that legal advice must be provided in support of his clients’ goals, and he works with them closely as a member of their team which often includes their accountants, financial advisors and other professionals.

Bill currently serves as lead counsel to the City of Naples Airport Authority and Collier Mosquito Control District. In this role, he provides guidance on special district services, operations, administration and regulation. Bill has knowledge of the unique issues facing public agencies, including Florida's Sunshine Law, Public Records Law, Code of Ethics, Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act and other procurement requirements.

In the field of real estate law, Bill represents individuals and businesses in the sale, purchase and financing of commercial and residential property. He counsels clients on all matters involved in a real estate transaction, including letters of intent, purchase contracts, loan documents, title insurance, construction agreements, leases, easements, access disputes, administrative zoning variances, rights of first refusal, escrow agreements, subordination agreements, restrictive covenants and title defects. Bill is experienced in guiding clients through the unexpected issues that arise prior to, during and after a closing.

Bill represents financial institutions in a multitude of lending transactions ranging from commercial real estate loans to sophisticated syndicated credits. His proactive approach to lending prevents closing delays through skilled planning, responsive communication, timely documentation delivery and creative problem solving. In addition, Bill advises banks with respect to adversely rated credits, loan modifications, forbearance agreements, deeds in lieu, lien disputes, short sales and foreclosures. He formerly served as senior vice president and in-house counsel to a regional commercial bank headquartered in Florida where he managed the commercial loan documentation department, supervised foreclosure litigation and assisted in overall administration of the financial institution's legal affairs.