Licensed in Florida & Brazil | University Lecturer | Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English

Ivan Santos is a veteran attorney with over 40 years of international legal experience in real estate law, construction law, and property development advisory. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Ivan built his foundation in law at the renowned Universidade de São Paulo (USP) before continuing his legal and academic career in the United States. Today, he is a cornerstone of the real estate law team at Díaz & Jonson Attorneys at Law, and a trusted advisor for developers, contractors, investment funds, and international buyers throughout Florida and Latin America.

Ivan’s career spans four decades of high-level legal work in complex real estate transactions, construction project structuring, cross-border investments, and regulatory compliance. In addition to his legal practice, Ivan is also a university professor and CLE instructor, teaching real estate law and international property law to future legal professionals and practicing attorneys alike.

Education & Legal Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Universidade de São Paulo (USP) – São Paulo, Brazil

• Juris Doctor Equivalency & Bar Admission, Florida Board of Bar Examiners

• Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Real Estate Development, University of Miami School of Law

• Postgraduate Certificate in Construction Law, Florida International University

• Certified Real Estate Title Agent, State of Florida

• Florida Supreme Court-Certified Mediator – Real Estate & Commercial Disputes

• Adjunct Professor of Real Estate Law, Florida International University

• Guest Lecturer in International Property Law, University of Central Florida CLE Program

Ivan’s dual legal training — in Brazil’s civil law tradition and the U.S. common law system — makes him an indispensable resource for foreign nationals investing in the U.S., and for domestic developers dealing with international partners or property structures.

Practice Areas

1. Real Estate Transactions

• Commercial and residential property sales and acquisitions

• Title review, clearing, and insurance

• Structuring complex property closings and 1031 exchanges

• Lease negotiations and landlord-tenant matters

• Legal risk evaluation for investment portfolios

2. Construction & Development Law

• Drafting and negotiating construction contracts (AIA, DBIA, FIDIC)

• Representation of developers, general contractors, and design teams

• Lien law enforcement and defense under Florida Statute 713

• Delay claims, warranty disputes, and litigation strategy

• Permitting, zoning, and land use compliance at the municipal level

3. Real Estate Finance & Structuring

• Real estate lending, secured transactions, and mortgage agreements

• Legal support for private equity firms and family offices

• Structuring real estate joint ventures and syndications

• Entity formation and tax-sensitive holding structures for real estate assets

4. Condominium & HOA Law

• Developer formation of condominium and homeowner associations

• Drafting of governing documents, declarations, and association bylaws

• Dispute resolution for board governance, voting, and financial issues

• Transition from developer to owner control

5. Cross-Border Real Estate and Foreign Investment

• Legal support for Brazilian and Latin American investors in Florida real estate

• FIRPTA compliance and U.S. tax implications for foreign buyers

• Title holding strategies and international trust structuring

• International arbitration and property-related litigation

Career Highlights

• Legal counsel on the $100M acquisition of a commercial portfolio by a Brazilian fund

• Lead advisor in the permitting and development of a 400-unit Miami condo project

• Defended a construction group in a $7.5M litigation over contractual delays

• Successfully structured real estate purchases for over 200 foreign clients from Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico

• Created and supported the legal frameworks for more than 50 condominium developments across South Florida

• Mediated a multi-party dispute involving defective construction work on a luxury project, avoiding costly litigation

Academic & Teaching Experience

Ivan is a passionate educator, committed to training future generations of real estate lawyers and advising industry professionals. His teaching roles include:

• Adjunct Professor, Florida International University – College of Law

• CLE Instructor, University of Central Florida – Continuing Legal Education

• Seminar Leader, Florida Bar RPPTL Section & Brazilian-American Bar Association

• Contributor to law journals on topics such as international real estate taxation and cross-border ownership risks

Professional Affiliations

• Member, Florida Bar – Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section

• Member, Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB) – São Paulo Section

• Member, Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce

• Member, South Florida Construction Law Council

• Certified Title Agent, Old Republic National Title Insurance Company

Languages & Global Experience

Ivan is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, and is widely recognized for his ability to bridge legal and cultural gaps in international real estate transactions. He works with private clients, banks, development companies, and family offices throughout Brazil, the U.S., Colombia, and Spain.

Personal Life

Ivan divides his time between Miami and São Paulo, maintaining deep personal and professional ties in both cities. In his free time, he enjoys Brazilian literature, architecture, and mentoring law students. Known for his calm authority and precise legal style, Ivan is not only a legal strategist — but a lifelong teacher and advocate of ethical real estate development across borders.