Overview

Steve is a Board Certified Real Estate Attorney who handles commercial and residential property transactions. He consistently helps new and established businesses find ways to enhance their market share, navigate legal obstacles, and protect their interests. He likewise helps individuals and families plan for their respective futures to reduce taxes, preserve wealth, and transition to the next generation.

Representative Engagements

Real Estate: negotiation, drafting and closing of commercial and residential property contracts, representation of condominium and homeowners’ associations, representation of contractors and subcontractors.

Business: formation and representation of limited liability companies, for profit and not for profit corporations, partnerships, joint ventures and sole proprietorships; mergers and acquisitions; business planning; franchises and business opportunities.

Probate and Estates: probate and trust administration; guardianships; drafting wills, trusts and estate planning.

Litigation: commercial contract cases, lien and mortgage foreclosures, partition actions, probate and trust litigation.

Courts & Bar Associations

• The Florida Bar (Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; Business Law Section)
• Orange County Bar Association (Real Property Committee, 1995-1996 Vice Chairman, 1992-1993 Chairman - Realtor Relations Committee; Estate, Guardianship and Trust Committee)
• Christian Legal Society
• Central Florida Real Estate Attorneys Council, Board member 2008-2012, 2017-2019, Vice President of Membership 2009-2010, President 2010-2011
• United States District Court-Middle District of Florida
• Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association, Board member 2011-2013
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Co-Chair Real Estate Committee 2022-present

Professional Honors & Awards

• 2012 – 2017: “Super Lawyer”
• 2009 – Current: Certified Kingdom Advisor
• 1995 Community Service Award, Asian American Chamber of Commerce
• 1994 – Current: Martindale-Hubbell “AV” rating
• 1994 Vision Award, Downtown Orlando Partnership
• 1994 – Current: Board Certified in Real Estate Law

Professional & Civic Affiliations

• National Christian Foundation Orlando
  • Advisory Board Member: 2024-present
• St. John’s Presbyterian Church
  • Member: 2022 - present
  • Elder: 2022 - present
• St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church
  • Member: 2020 - 2022
• Lake Sherwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church
  • Member: 1982 - 2020
  • Elder: 1986 - 2020
  • Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, Committee Chairperson
• Wolf River Presbyterian Church
  • Elder: 2017 - 2020
• Christian Conciliation Service of Central Florida, Inc.
  • Mediator: 1982 - 1992
• Orthodox Presbyterian Church
  • Trustee: 2015 – 2021
  • Vice President: 2019 - 2021
  • Moderator for Presbytery of the South: 1998 – 1999
  • Presbytery Visitation Committee: 2011- 2020
• Asian Real Estate Association of America – Central Florida Chapter
  • Board Member and Legal Advisor 2013 - 2017
• Asian American Chamber of Commerce
  • Member: 1990 - 2017
  • Director: 1990 - 1993
  • President: 1993 – 1994
• Kingdom Advisors
  • Certified Member: 2009 - Present
• Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children
  • 1987 - 1999
• Calvin Alumni Association
  • International Board Member: 1991 - 1994
• City of Orlando Nominating Board
  • Member: 1993 - 1998
  • Chairman: 1996 - 1997
• Orlando Science Center Cultural Diversity Committee: 1993 - 2000
• Naval Training Center Reuse Commission Area Business Committee: 1994 - 1995
• WMFE - TV/FM Community Advisory Board: 1994 - 1995
• Central Florida Family Advisory Board: 1994 - 2000
• Calvin University
  • Presidential Search Committee: 1994 - 1995
  • Board of Trustees: 1999 – 2009
  • Vice Chair: 2008 - 2009
• Minority/Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance, Inc. Founding Board of Trustees: 1994 - 2000
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistant: 1996 – 2009
• Christian Legal Society of Central Florida
  • Director: 1998 - 1999
  • President: 1999 - 2000
• Ocoee Little League Coach: 2000, 2001
• Windermere Little League Coach: 2002
• Orange County Public Library Director Screening Committee: 2001
• Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida, Inc. Director: 2001 - 2003
• Florida Bar Ninth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee Member: 2002 – 2004
• Children’s Home Society of Florida Board Member: 2003 - 2007
• Orlando Citizen Corps Council Member: 2003 – 2005

Presentations & Publications

• "Special Rules Apply for Nonresident Aliens," Realtor Report, September 1, 1992
• "Is Time of the Essence? - Here's What the Courts Say," Realtor Report, March 3, 1992 
• Co-author, "Petroleum Contamination Site Cleanup," Florida Truck News, September 1991 
• “Basic Estate Planning in Florida” October 21, 2020, Young Lawyers Division, The Florida Bar 
• “Probate and the Transfer of Real Property” August 20, 2020, Attorneys Title Insurance Fund Affiliate Assembly 
• “Stewarding Clients with Declining Capacity” February 19, 2020, Kingdom Advisors Annual Conference 
• “Analysis of a Business Acquisition” August 28, 2019, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants 
• “Analysis of a Business Acquisition” October 13, 2018, Christian Legal Society National Conference 
• “The Why and How of Family Meetings” February 22, 2018, Kingdom Advisors Annual Conference 
• “Probate and the Transfer of Real Property” November 16, 2017, Real Estate Law Summit, Orlando Regional Realtor Association and the Central Florida Real Estate Attorneys Council 
• “Probate and the Transfer of Real Property” September 8, 2016, Real Estate Law Summit, Orlando Regional Realtor Association and the Central Florida Real Estate Attorneys Council 
• “Real Estate Potpourri” August 15, 2016, Estate, Guardianship and Trust Committee of the Orange County Bar Association 
• “Final Accounting and Closing the Estate” December 4, 2015, National Business Institute 
• “Taking Title: Options and Implications for Foreign Investors” October 20, 2015, Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors 
• “Estate Planning for Christian Clients” October 1, 2015, Christian Legal Society National Conference 
• “Analysis of a Business Acquisition” October 19, 2013, Christian Legal Society National Conference 
• “What to do about Entities in Real Estate Transactions” September 4, 2013, Orlando Regional Realtor Association 
• “Like Everything Else, the Old Has Become New Again, Alternatives to Traditional Financing” September 19, 2012, Orlando Regional Realtor Association 
• “Questions and Answers on the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule” May 11, 2011, Orlando Regional Realtor Association 
• “You be the Judge: Case Law and Federal/State Legislative Updates” September 22, 2010, Orlando Regional Realtor Association 
• “Tenant’s Rights When the Apartment is Converted to a Condominium” March 7, 2007, Florida Legal Services, Inc. 
• “Recent Developments in Homestead Law in Decedents’ Estates” April 29, 2004, Orange County Bar Association 
• “When the Thrill is Gone” or “What Happens When the Deal Goes Sour” September 13, 2001, Orlando Regional Realtor Association and the Orange County Bar Association 
• “An Overview of Franchising” August 21, 1998, Lorman Educational Services 
• “Mergers and Acquisitions” July 15, 1997, International Franchise Association 
• “Home Inspections in Residential Real Estate Transactions” April 16, 1997, Greater Orlando Association of Realtors 
• “Risk Reduction and Professionalism” September 25, 1996, 1996 Real Estate Law Symposium, Greater Orlando Association of Realtors and the Orange County Bar Association 
• “Florida’s New Private Property Rights Protection Act,” January 9, 1996, Greater Orlando Association of Realtors 
• “Property Management Update” October 19, 1995, 1995 Real Estate Law Symposium, Greater Orlando Association of Realtors 
• “How to Analyze a Franchising Opportunity” May 23, 1995, Orange County Bar Association 
• "Estate Planning Issues" February 28, 1995, Merrill Lynch 
• "Mortgage Law Update" October 13, 1994, 1994 Real Estate Law Symposium 
• "The New Mortgage Foreclosure Law" September 23, 1993, 1993 Real Estate Law Symposium 
• "Probate Estate Administration and the Transfer of Real Property" September 24, 1992, 1992 Real Estate Law Symposium 
• "Living Wills" July 22, 1992, Rosemont Rotary Club 
• "Using the FAR/BAR Contract" June 22, 1991, ERA Realty of Central Florida 
• "Protecting Your Business from Lawsuits" April 16, 1991, International Special Events Society 
• "Shareholders' Agreements" December 4, 1990, BDO Seidman