Joseph A. Ruiz

Joseph "Joe" Ruiz represents clients on matters involving land use, zoning and local government affairs. He assists both landowners and developers navigating the local and state regulatory framework to support their real estate development and neighborhood revitalization goals. Joe represents landowners and developers at almost every stage of the development lifecycle, from pre-acquisition due diligence to entitlements, obtaining necessary development approvals for new construction or the adaptive-reuse of existing structures. Clients seek Joe out for his extensive experience handling matters, such as platting, special permits, temporary permits, alcohol, modifications to ordinances, historic preservation, rezoning and comprehensive plan amendments, and resolution of complex building and code compliance.

Joe has worked with local and national developers on entitlements for prominent mixed-use projects slated for completion in the near future, including Related’s Nomad Residences Wynwood, LYNQ Wynwood, The Wynwood Plaza, Mohawk at Wynwood, The Rider, and La Maré Bay Harbor Islands. Joe also has significant experience at the state, county, and municipal levels of government. Prior to joining the firm, he served as the City of Miami Zoning Administrator/Director for the Office of Zoning. As the Zoning Administrator, Joe was responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Miami 21 Zoning Code; appearing before the Planning Zoning and Appeals Board and City Commission; and overseeing zoning approvals ranging from Temporary Use Permits, and alcohol licensing and permitting, to large scale development projects throughout the City of Miami.

Joe previously served as the Chief of Staff to Mayor Francis X. Suarez, where he coordinated the execution of the Mayor’s strategic initiatives and handled the day-to-day management of the office. He joined the Office of the Mayor after several years as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Miami, assigned to the Land Use/Transactional Division, where he practiced public finance, taxation, land use and zoning, and general municipal law.

In his role as Assistant City Attorney, Joe served as legal counsel to the Urban Development Review Board, Coconut Grove Business Improvement District, Wynwood Business Improvement District, and the Wynwood Design Review Committee in its role in reviewing new development and signage pursuant to the Wynwood Neighborhood Revitalization District (NRD-1), following its adoption in 2015.

Prior to joining the City of Miami, Joe served as the General Counsel to the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser and as a legislative aide to a member of the Florida House of Representatives.