Richard J. Fildes

Rich Fildes has years of experience handling a wide variety of complex real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, development and finance; commercial leasing; and construction law. He advises both public and private companies on a broad spectrum of matters in the hospitality, real estate, sports and entertainment industries.

Rich represents owners, developers, lenders, investors, and operators in hotel and resort acquisitions, sales, financings, management, operations and development, franchising and licensing.

Rich has been involved in more than $35 billion in transactions concerning hotels, resorts, golf and country clubs, theme parks and water parks, family entertainment centers, ski resorts and marinas throughout the U.S. and Canada.

In addition, Rich has represented the developers and operators of sports venues as well as past and current professional athletes in various business capacities.

Experience

• Represented New York-based Tishman Hotel Corporation in its $120.5 million acquisition of Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, a 400-room hotel located in Bonnet Creek near Walt Disney World.
• Represented Swan Hotel Associates in the expansion of the Dolphin/Swan Resort to include the Swan Reserve Hotel.
• Represented Orlando-based Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc. in its $27.75 million sale of the Bohemian Hotel Celebration, Autograph Collection, a 115-room boutique hotel located in Celebration, FL.
• Represented New York-based Tishman Hotel Corporation in its $46.5 million acquisition of the Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration, a 718-room hotel located 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World.
• Represented Florida Citrus Sports, an Orlando-based nonprofit organizer of high-profile sports events, in multiple endeavors, including the renovation and enhancement of the Camping World Stadium in downtown Orlando, FL and in its acquisition of 3.5 acres next to Camping World Stadium.
• Represented Pelta RE Ventures in its acquisition of several hotels located in Florida and outside of Florida.
• Represented Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp on several asset light transactions.
• Represented several well known professional golfers on various real estate endeavors.

News

Publications

Recognition

• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
• The Best Lawyers in America guide, Leisure and Hospitality Law, 2015-2025; Real Estate Law, 2001-2025
• Chambers USA – America's Leading Business Lawyers guide, 2004-2017
• Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend
• Marquis Who's Who in Finance & Industry
• Who's Who, World National Register's Who's Who
• Florida's Top Lawyers, Florida Monthly Magazine, 2003-2009
• Who's Who in American Law, 2005-2006 edition
• Lifetime Member, Madison Who's Who
• Continental Who's Who
• The Legal 500 USA
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2008-2013
• Man of the Year Nominee, American Biographical Institute, 2004, 2008
• Who's Who in American Law, 2005-2006 edition

Community Activities

• Florida Citrus Sports Foundation, Director and Trustee
• Leadership Central Florida, Alumnus
• Duke University Alumni Association of Central Florida
• Florida Citrus Sports, Director, General Counsel, and Former President
• Lake Nona Advisory Committee
• American Land Title Association
• Lake Nona Country Club and Golf Committee
• Georgetown Hotel and Lodging Summit, Advisory Board

Professional Certifications & Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Orange County Bar Association
• The Florida Bar