Distressed M&A & Restructuring
International & Cross Border Transactions
Latin America & Caribbean Practice
Marc Stephen Shuster
Partner
Marc Stephen Shuster, based in Miami, is a member of Berger Singerman's Executive Committee, former Team Manager for the Business, Finance, and Tax Team, and former Hiring Partner of the Firm.
His primary practice focuses on representing family offices (international and domestic), HNP, private equity funds, and syndicators in commercial real estate and corporate joint venture work relating to the structuring of business transactions. Marc spends considerable time handling family office matters and concers. He also has substantial experience in cross-border transactions, including marina development and hotels. Marc routinely assists his clients with sourcing and managing capital and deal flow. Marc also represents tech start-ups and internet companies.
Chambers & Partners USA: America's Leading Lawyers has consistently recognized Marc as "a great deal lawyer," "dynamic", and a "problem solver" who "really understands (his clients') business," and "how to structure deals," noting he has a "real gift of viewing the transaction and potential litigation through the lens of a business person." One client even stated: "The relationship with the client is everything to him, so he's available 24 hours a day, and he always reaches out to make sure we're okay. He sees us as a business partner, which we really appreciate."
Awards & Honors 
- Chambers & Partners USA, America’s Leading Business Lawyers, Real Estate, 2011-2024
- The Best Lawyers in America®, 2019-2025
- Florida Super Lawyers, Real Estate, International, Business/Corporate, 2014-2020
- South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyers, Real Estate, Corporate, 2013-2019
- Florida Trend, Legal Elite, 2011-2013, 2016–2018
- South Florida Business and Wealth, Finalist, Up and Comer Award, 2015
- Daily Business Review, Winner, Top Dealmaker Award: Leasing, 2014
- Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2009-2014
- Lifestyle Magazine, Winner, Up and Comer Awards, Law Firm Category, 2014
- Daily Business Review, Finalist,Top Dealmakers Award, 2013
- South Florida Legal Guide, Top Up and Comer, 2010-2013
- Florida Trend, Up and Comer, 2006-2007, 2009-2010
- South Florida Business Journal, 40 under 40, 2009
- South Florida Business Journal, Winner, Up and Comers Award, 2006
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent™ rated
Representative Matters
- Represented multi-billion dollar family in assisting on managing assets
- Counsel to Canadian family office in structuring inbound real estate joint venture for development of $300 million multi-family project
- Counsel to Russian family in their Florida corporate and real estate deals
- Counsel to Canadian family offices in their Florida corporate and real estate deals
- Counsel to Florida family office in their Florida real estate matters
- Counsel to New York City family offices in their Florida corporate and real estate deals
- Counsel to number of NYC-based and South Florida-based start- ups in the technology space
- Counsel to Tampa-based family offices in investment in medical marijuana operation
- Counsel to Miami-based family office debt fund in its formation and deals
- Counsel to Miami-based family offices in acquiring bulk condos
- Counsel to NYC-based family office in real estate transactions
- Counsel to Philadelphia-based family in sale of technology company to private equity firm
- Counsel to Fort Lauderdale-based family in sale of technology company to private equity firm
- Represents Contraria Development in the development of a preparatory school and athletic training facility
- Represented J. Milton & Associates in a joint venture acquisition of a South Beach hotel
- Represented Sefira Capital in a joint venture acquisition of the 407-room Westin Tysons Corner
- Represented Gencom in its acquisition of Rosewood Tucker's Point Resort & Golf Club in Bermuda
- Counsel to NYC-based publicly traded REIT in their Florida real estate matters, including the $171 million dollar acquisition of private schools located in Florida
- Counsel to South Florida Fortune 100 company in their Florida real estate matters
- Counsel to South Florida private equity firm in structuring their joint venture arrangements for real estate acquisitions
- Counsel to South Florida developer in their Florida real estate matters
- Counsel to Miami family office in their real estate matters
- Counsel to Miami family office in their real estate workout matters
- Counsel to local developer in structuring real estate joint ventures including condominium projects
- Counsel to real estate investment trust in refinance of 5 property portfolio
- Counsel to Russian private equity firm in their Florida real estate matters
- Counsel to real estate developer in sell-off of $800 million portfolio
- Counsel to U.K. based family office in their Florida corporate and real estate matters
- Counsel to German family in their Florida real estate matters
- Counsel to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in connection with the development of new pier in Bermuda
- Counsel to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. In connection with its redevelopment project at the Port of Miami
- Counsel to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in connection with its development of a new $250 million marina and pier development in Barbados
- Counsel to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in connection with its development of a $20 million performer training and housing facility at Florida International University
- Counsel to Hunter & Harp Holdings in acquisition of DoubletreeTallahassee
- Counsel to Hunter & Harp Holdings in sale of Hotel Duval
- Counsel to Starwood Property Trust in 107-property bulk real property acquisition in Florida
- Counsel to international law firm in evaluating Florida issues pertaining to financing on a franchised South Beach hotel
- Counsel to Inbursa in $200 million acquisition and construction/renovation loan involving Perry Hotel f/k/a/ Gansevoort Hotel on Miami Beach, Florida
- Counsel to Madison Realty Capital in connection with Florida real estate matters
- Counsel to Florida-based emergency management/services conglomerate in negotiating for disaster relief work throughout Caribbean
- Counsel to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in $200 million development of new cruise port in Falmouth, Jamaica
- Counsel to Herb Stettin, as Chapter 11 Trustee of Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, PA, in connection with negotiating and preparing settlement agreements with former clients and third party vendors
- Represented Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in acquiring development and long-term lease rights in St. Maarten port valued at over $50 million. As a part of the transaction, worked on preferential berthing agreement to ensure berthing capability for fleet
- Counsel to a subsidiary of a private equity fund in the sale of a hotel and workout with bankrupt borrower in a transaction valued at $30 million dollars
- Counsel to Inbursa in $190 million construction loan involving development of Four Seasons resort in Florida
- Counsel to W Financial Fund in “hard money” loans involving shopping centers located throughout Florida
- Counsel to distressed national multi-family owner/operator in disposition of $100 million portfolio of apartment complexes, in its Chapter 11 proceeding
- Counsel to distressed national storage facility owner in complex workout arrangement involving approximately 300 assets guaranteed by loans exceeding $700 million
- Counsel to P&M Management in construction, development and acquisition of new build hotels throughout South Florida (most recently, representing them in their construction of a Comfort Suites near the Miami International Airport)
- Counsel to national hotel owner in acquisition of $300 million hotel portfolio
- Counsel to Tampa-based vacant land investor in working out troubled loans valued in excess of $20 million in its Chapter 11 proceeding
- Counsel to distressed hotel owner in complex loan workout where underlying property value exceeds $20 million
- Counsel to distressed real estate developer in negotiating the restructure of multiple troubled loans valued at $50 million Represented distressed entrepreneur in disposition of telecommunications company and its assets to competitor
- Represented Florida-based real estate developer in negotiating with hard money lender a covenant not to enforce a $40 million personal judgment
- Represented Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in negotiating $200 million transaction with Port Everglades County Government to deliver berthing of world’s largest passenger vessel. As a partof the transaction, negotiated the construction of a new, state-of- the-art 150,000 square foot terminal
- Counsel to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in negotiating with ports of Galveston, Texas, Ketchikan, Alaska, Colon, Panama, Marseilles, France and Cozumel, Mexico in connection with securing various preferential berthing rights
- Counsel to Budapest-based family office in fish farm development in Orlando
- Council to Cleveland-based family in structuring their real estate investments
- Counsel to Sefira Capital in their fund formations and real estate acquisitions
- Counsel to Orlando-based PE Fund in structuring their mezzanine financing fund
- Counsel to Fort Lauderdale-based debt fund in loan transactions
- Counsel to Waypoint Residential in purchase and sale of apartment complexes
Community Activities / Associations
- Adjunct Professor, Florida International University, College of Business, Fall 2021-Spring 2022
- Hollo Real Estate Advisory Board Member, FIU College of Business
- Board Member, Planning Giving Advisory Board, Museum of Art, Broward County
- Member, Law360 Hospitality Editorial Advisory Board
- Editorial Board Member, www.hotelexecutive.com
- Member, Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association
- Board of Directors, Camillus House
- Miami Children’s Young Ambassador, Miami Children’s Hospital
- Honorary Trustee, Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art
- Leadership Broward Class XXIII Graduate
- Member, Brazil-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida
- Committee Member, Florida State University College of Business Real Estate Trends Conference
- Member, Fidelity Commercial Real Estate Council for Florida
- Co-Founder, Leaders of Tomorrow, a networking group of the next generation of business and community leaders
- Committee Member, Florida Bar RPPTL Section, Real Property Forms
- Committee Member, Florida Bar RPPTL Section, Landlord/Tenant
- Outside General Counsel, Jack and Jill Children’s Center, Inc.
In the News
Fortune Features Marc Shuster in, "Billionaires with a problem turn to this Florida attorney"
December 11, 2024
Fifty-Six Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 15, 2024
November 16, 2023
Berger Singerman Recognized by Chambers USA for Twentieth Consecutive Year
June 1, 2023
GlobeSt. Quotes Marc Shuster in, "Broker Dual-Rep Conflicts of Interest May See More Lawsuits"
September 27, 2022
Forty-Three Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 18, 2022
Berger Singerman Recognized by Chambers USA for Nineteenth Consecutive Year
June 1, 2022
May 6, 2022
January 6, 2022
Thrity-nine Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2022 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 19, 2021
July 8, 2021
June 4, 2021
June 4, 2021
February 25, 2021
NSU Art Museum Announces The Launch Of New Planned Giving Advisory Board
January 7, 2021
Thirty-Five Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 19, 2020
Twenty-Seven Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in 2020 Edition of Florida Super Lawyers
June 8, 2020
Twenty-one Berger Singerman Attorneys Listed in South Florida Legal Guide as Top Attorneys
October 31, 2019
Thirty Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2020 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 14, 2019
Twenty-Eight Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in 2019 Edition of Florida Super Lawyers
May 29, 2019
Berger Singerman Recognized by Chambers USA for Sixteenth Consecutive Year
April 24, 2019
South Florida Legal Guide Names 21 Berger Singerman Attorneys as Top Lawyers
March 7, 2019
January 16, 2019
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Sparks Optimism in 2019 South Florida Real Estate Market
January 9, 2019
Thirty Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2019 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 14, 2018
Thirty-One Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in 2018 Edition of Florida Super Lawyers
June 17, 2018
Berger Singerman Recognized by Chambers USA for 15th Consecutive Year
May 2, 2018
February 28, 2018
January 31, 2018
January 21, 2018
January 16, 2018
South Florida Real Estate Bubble Won't Burst in 2018 According to Berger Singerman Survey
January 16, 2018
South Florida Legal Guide Names 23 Berger Singerman Attorneys as Top Lawyers
January 9, 2018
August 30, 2017
Thirty-Two Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2017 Super Lawyers Florida Edition
June 8, 2017
Berger Singerman Receives High Marks by Chambers USA for Fourteenth Consecutive Year
May 29, 2017
January 19, 2017
January 19, 2017
January 17, 2017
The Miami Herald quotes Marc Shuster on "What will Trump's presidency mean for Miami's real estate?"
November 10, 2016
The Real Deal mentions Marc Shuster on "Five takeaways from Miami hospitality talk"
October 17, 2016
Berger Singerman Attorneys Help Land $247 Million Loan for PortMiami Terminal
September 12, 2016
September 8, 2016
Bloomberg quoted Marc Shuster on "Florida Shudders as Zika Spreads, Forcing Miami Shops to Close"
August 4, 2016
GlobeSt.com Interviews Marc Shuster, "Are We Living in a 2008 Bubble"
July 21, 2016
Twelve Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2016 Edition of Florida Trend
June 21, 2016
Thirty-Six Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2016 Super Lawyers Florida Edition
June 13, 2016
Berger Singerman Receives High Marks by Chambers USA for Thirteenth Consecutive Year
June 1, 2016
May 11, 2016
Bloomberg quotes Marc Shuster on "Miami Suddenly Has a Glut of Plush Hotel Suites"
May 8, 2016
GlobeST.com Interviews Marc Shuster, "How Recession Concerns Are Impacting Buy-Sell Equations"
April 24, 2016
March 24, 2016
Daily Business Review quotes Marc Shuster on "Crowdfunding Backs Miami Infill Apartments"
February 23, 2016
January 6, 2016
January 6, 2016
January 6, 2016
January 6, 2016
January 5, 2016
January 5, 2016
January 5, 2016
Publications
May 13, 2024
May 11, 2023
August 11, 2022
Events & Speaking Engagements
February 15, 2023
Marc Stephen Shuster, Speaker, "REact 2021 Real Estate Conference", FIU Hollo School of Real Estate
October 8, 2021
September 23, 2021
September 23, 2021
May 18, 2021
March 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
Marc Stephen Shuster, Speaker, Zenith Mastermind Retreat 2021
February 2, 2021
October 5, 2020
April 21, 2020
Marc Stephen Shuster, Moderator, "Developing an Alternative Platform in Miami," ALTSMIA2019
November 6, 2019
September 11, 2018
April 23, 2018
Marc Shuster, Speaker, National Thomson Reuters Sales Conference
January 23, 2018
Marc Shuster, Speaker, "The 2027 Real Estate Market," 2017 Crittenden Real Estate Finance Conference
October 26, 2017
October 17, 2016
September 22, 2016
Marc Shuster, Moderator, "5th Real Estate Summit," YJP Miami
June 7, 2016
Prior Affiliations
- Director & Associate Counsel, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
- Associate Attorney, Holland & Knight