Overview
Bobby Brown is a senior counsel and business lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. Bobby’s practice includes advising clients with respect to the acquisition, disposition, development, leasing and financing of various asset classes, including multi-family, office, retail, timberland, and vacant land. It also includes advising clients in addressing real estate, title, and survey issues arising in connection with the development, construction, finance, and disposition of wind and solar energy generating and transmission projects across the U.S., in addition to negotiating option and lease agreements relating to the construction and operation of solar energy facilities (ground mount and rooftop) and energy storage systems. He is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice and Energy Industry Team and is chair of the firm’s Veterans and Allies Affinity Group’s Pro Bono and Charity Committee.
Prior to joining Foley, Bobby served as a senior attorney at the Internal Revenue Service’s Office of Chief Counsel. During his time with Chief Counsel, he provided strategic legal counsel to IRS field personnel and the IRS Office of Appeals on federal tax cases involving complex businesses and high net worth individuals. Bobby effectively litigated sixteen cases on behalf of the IRS in the U.S. Tax Court. Some of his docketed court cases involved the adversarial dissolution of an S corporation, substantiation of basis and amounts at-risk in S corporations to permit flow-through losses, valuation of real property conservation easements, I.R.C. § 469 passive activity loss for alleged real estate professionals, and fraud.
Bobby has a distinguished military career, attaining the rank of Captain and serving more than six years in the U.S. Army. He was an Airborne Ranger and Jumpmaster with the 82nd Airborne Division when he participated in the invasion of Iraq as the executive officer of an infantry company of paratroopers. While in Baghdad, he also served on battalion staff as the battalion’s human intelligence officer, where he interviewed Iraqi informants, interrogated detainees, served as the liaison to local Special Forces units, and acted as the on-ground intelligence adviser for the commanding officer during combat missions. Bobby served two tours in Iraq.
Representative Experience
- Represented affiliates of Starwood Capital in connection with the $185 million portfolio sale of seven office complexes located in multiple states
- Represented a family office in $720+ million of acquisitions of timberland in the southeast U.S.
- Represented a major U.S. financial institution in a $12,640,000 loan secured by over 14,000 acres of timberland in the southeast U.S.
- Represented a real estate developer with purchase of land within a master planned unit development for the purpose of constructing an assisted living facility in Florida
- Represented major U.S. financial institutions in tax equity investments in numerous sale/leaseback transactions with various solar developers involving solar projects located in Georgia, Ohio, and California
- Represented a leading U.S. renewable energy company in connection with negotiating the ground lease to construct and operate a 20 MW solar energy facility in Virginia
- Represented a major U.S. renewable energy company in connection with the project development of a 4 MW solar energy project in Florida
- Represented seller in sale of two solar PV projects (35 MW) in the southeast U.S.
- Represented solar developer in connection with securing $41 million construction financing for the development of solar energy projects
- Represented a major U.S. renewable energy company in early to mid-stage development of several wind energy projects in Maryland and Michigan
Recognition
Bobby has been recognized by Three Rivers Legal Services’ Low Income Taxpayer Clinic for assisting numerous pro bono clients to resolve their cases with the IRS both administratively and within the U.S. Tax Court. During his military career, he was awarded a Bronze Star for superior performance, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab and the Senior Parachutist Badge.
Affiliations and Community Engagement
Bobby serves on the Board of Trustees of Christ's Church Academy and is in his tenth admissions cycle as a West Point Admissions' Liaison Officer. Previously, he served as the West Point Admissions' Congressional District Coordinator for Florida Congressional Districts 04 and 06 and on the West Point Society of North Florida Board of Directors, chairing the Academic Committee. Bobby is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Rotary Club of downtown Jacksonville.
Education
Bobby completed his master of laws degree in taxation at the Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M., with distinction, 2015). He received his law degree from Florida State University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2009), where he was president of the Real Estate Law Society, served as an ambassador for the admissions department, and was a member of Dean Don Weidner’s Kitchen Cabinet.
Bobby received his graduate degree from Florida State University College of Business (M.B.A., 2009) and earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the United States Military Academy (B.S., 2000). While at West Point, Bobby played NCAA Division I baseball and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Student Council.
Admissions and Professional Membership
Bobby is admitted to practice in Florida and before the U.S. Tax Court. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Jacksonville Bar Association.