Overview

Joe DiVito is a Senior Counsel in the firm’s Real Estate and Lending Transactions and Private Client Services Groups. His practice areas include substantial experience and representation of non- profit organizations, real estate, and will & estate planning. He has represented the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg since 1968 and the Catholic Diocese of Venice since 2003, serving as General Counsel for both dioceses in the 15-county area they serve and also serves as General Counsel to Catholic Charities for both dioceses. He has substantial experience with legal issues for private schools, representing the fifty-two Diocesan Schools and other private schools on the west coast of Florida. He frequently lectures on education topics and helped develop the Volunteer Screening Program used for Catholic schools in the State of Florida.

In the area of affordable housing, Joe has substantial experience with loan and grant closings funded or insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), having served as closing attorney for more than 150 HUD housing facilities for the elderly and handicapped under the Section 202 and Section 811 programs assisting multiple sponsors. He has also represented multiple sponsors for affordable housing with HOME, SHIP, and tax credit funding through Florida Housing Finance Corporation. He continues to represent Boley Center, Presbyterian Homes and Housing Foundation, Abilities of Florida, South St. Petersburg Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and C.A.S.L. (Community Assisted and Supportive Living). He has represented multiple sponsors regarding their programs funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development.

Honors and Distinctions

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Tampa Magazine, Top Lawyers, 2010 – 2021
  • Who’s Who in American Law, Millennium Edition
  • Former Instructor, NADCO, teaching the SBA 504 Loan Closing Course

Professional Involvement

  • The Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section, Member
  • The Florida Bar, Member Benefits Committee, Former Chair
  • The Tampa Bay Catholic Lawyers Guild
  • The National Diocesan Attorneys Association
  • St. Petersburg Bar Association, Executive Committee, Former Member
  • Florida SBA District,Subcommittee for the 504 Pilot Program in Florida Becoming a Designated SBA Closing Attorney, Former Member

Community Involvement

  • Active in Church
  • Former volunteer soccer coach and Little League coach
  • Former member of children’s parochial school board
  • Former board member and past president of A.L.P.H.A. House
  • Former board member and past president of the Sunshine City Jaycees