Jim Shimberg is a Partner at Shubin Law Group and leads the firm’s Tampa office. A former City Attorney of Tampa and former General Counsel for both a leading development company and a professional sports organization, Jim offers clients an uncommon perspective at the intersection of government, business, and real estate development. He draws on nearly four decades of experience in both the public and private sectors to advise developers, property owners, and municipalities on land use, zoning, and regulatory matters.

Jim served as City Attorney of Tampa, where he helped shape policy and oversaw the legal and operational issues of one of Florida’s largest municipalities. He also served as City Attorney for Tampa, managing all legal issues associated with the city’s hosting of the 2012 Republican National Convention. After his time in public service, Jim was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Strategic Property Partners, LLC, the developer of Water Street Tampa, and Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Vinik Sports Group, parent company of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He also spent more than 26 years at Holland & Knight LLP, where he was Executive Partner of the Tampa office, led the Tampa Bay Area Real Estate and Land Use Group, and chaired the firm’s National Land Use Initiative.

A Tampa native with a family legacy of civic leadership and real estate development, Jim maintains deep relationships across business and government. He continues his civic involvement through service as Board Chair of the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, Chair of the Board of Advisors for the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, and as a member of the Florida Blue Key Leadership Society.

  • Served as lead counsel in securing city entitlements and negotiating a development agreement with the City of Tampa and the Florida Aquarium for the Wheel Over Water (“WOW!”) observation wheel in downtown Tampa. Managed land-use, zoning, and transactional matters, including lease amendments, subleases, and special height approvals
  • Assisted with the Request for Relief process under the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act (FLUEDRA) for a multi-family project in Ybor City, ensuring compliance with noticing requirements and navigating procedural hurdles related to resolving the land use dispute.*
  • Assisted in the entitlement and regulatory-compliance process for the 74-acre Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) redevelopment site in Tampa, collaborating closely with engineers and developers to ensure full compliance with city regulations and requirements.
  • Represented Strategic Property Partners in the acquisition of multiple key parcels essential to the development of Water Street Tampa, a $4 billion mixed-use waterfront project.*
  • Led the acquisition of a long-term ground lease from Port Tampa Bay, including the purchase of Channelside Bay Plaza (now Sparkman Wharf) and related parking operations.*
  • Negotiated a $100 million infrastructure reimbursement agreement with the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County in connection with a large-scale mixed-use development.*
  • Representation of Strategic Property Partners in the acquisition of the active Ardent Mills Flour Mill to facilitate phase two of the Water Street Tampa mixed-use waterfront project.*
  • Represented the National Hockey League Tampa Bay Lightning in a multi-year naming rights deal for Amalie Arena.*
  • Represented regional convenience store chain Wawa in multiple deals as the company expanded into the Florida market.* 
  • Represented national retail pharmacy CVS in multiple deals as the company expanded into the Florida market.*
  • Represented major Tampa news station WFLA (Channel 8) in obtaining governmental approvals for the development of a new Tampa headquarters, including authorization for an on-site broadcast tower and helipad.*
  • Represented numerous phosphate companies in Development of Regional Impact (DRI) and land use matters across Hillsborough County.*

*The above representations were handled prior to joining Shubin Law Group.

  • University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D., Member, Florida Law Review, Florida Blue Key, 1984
  • University of Florida, B.S./B.A., 1977

  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Notable Attorney, Real Estate / Land Use, 2025
  • AV Rated by Martindale

  • Florida

  • Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, Inc. (THHI), Board Chair
  • Bob Graham Center for Public Service, Chair, Board of Advisors
  • Florida Blue Key Leadership Society, Member
  • Urban Land Institute (ULI), Rose Fellow (during tenure as City Attorney, City of Tampa)