My Credentials

  • University of Florida, Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration, cum laude

  • University of Florida, Bachelors of Science in Psychology, cum laude

  • Stetson University College of Law, Juris Doctor, magna cum laude; Law Review Managing Editor, Moot Court Board Member, Dean Richard Dillon Excellence in Real Property Award

Hi, I'm Nicole MacInnes.

Attorney

My journey to land use law started in an unexpected place—the retail floor of a Fortune 500 company in high school and college. Working my way into their Real Estate Asset Management department, I discovered my passion for untangling complex property issues. That hands-on business experience taught me to see real estate challenges from the client's perspective first, legal issues second.

I started my practice at one of Florida’s largest law firms where I counseled developers, investors and property owners on land use entitlements and property rights protection. A significant portion of my practice involves counseling clients interested in developing affordable and workforce housing, particularly in relation to Florida’s Live Local Act. As one of Florida's go-to attorneys on the Live Local Act, I help developers unlock unprecedented land use and ad valorem property tax opportunities and advocate for them before local and state governments. Coming from a family of teachers, I believe in Live Local Act’s mission of providing housing to our essential workers.

But my practice goes beyond any single statute. From presenting land use applications to local elected officials, to advocating before the Florida Legislature on critical legislation changes, to defending or challenging development decisions in court, land use law requires a diverse skillset. No projects or local governments are the same, but my ability to look for creative solutions, understand complex development issues and bring a fresh perspective to every matter remains the same.

Being recognized by Chambers USA as the only "Associate to Watch" in my field for North & Central Florida is humbling, but what really drives me is helping clients achieve their vision. Whether it's securing a critical variance, negotiating a complex development agreement, or defending against a NIMBY challenge, I bring energy and fresh thinking to every matter.

Bar Admissions, Certifications, & Licenses

  • Licensed by Florida Bar

  • Admitted in the U.S. Court for the Middle District of Florida

Notable Professional Experience

  • Affordable & Workforce Housing Development - Associate land use counsel for some of Florida's largest affordable housing developers on $1+ billion in Tampa redevelopment projects including West River, Rome Yard, and Robles Park mixed-use developments

  • Live Local Act -

    • Lead land use counsel for a 408-unit project in the City of Tampa

    • Member of counsel team advocating for 376-unit project in the City of Largo

    • Lead land use counsel for a 224-unit project in Indian River County

    • Key contributor to SB 328 (2024), SB 1730 (2025), and HB 7031(2025) legislative updates to the Live Local Act

  • Comprehensive Plan Amendment & Rezoning for Affordable Housing - Lead land use counsel in a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning application for a 90-unit affordable housing project in Hillsborough County

  • Affordable & Workforce Housing Ad Valorem Property Tax Exemptions - Counseled property owners and investors on securing property tax exemptions for hundreds of affordable and workforce housing units across the State of Florida

  • Defense of Variance Approval - Defended City of St. Petersburg variance approval in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court

  • Executive Order Permit Extensions - Secured significant extensions of zoning approvals, development agreements, plats, and water management district permits using the executive order extension process in section 252.363, Florida Statutes

  • Alcoholic Beverage Permitting - Obtained conditional use for alcoholic beverage establishment in the City of Punta Gorda

  • Land Development Code Text Amendment - Received approval of a privately-initiated land development code text amendment to remove structured parking for certain multifamily projects in the City of Gainesville

  • Industrial Permitting Issues - Secured Planned Development modifications and variances for large industrial distribution centers in the City of Plant City and City of Jacksonville

Life Outside the Law

As a second generation Tampa resident, I love working in a community that means so much to me. My husband Neil and I just purchased our first home where we live with our mini goldendoodle, Ellie. When I’m not working, you’ll find me at the local Barre3 gym, making sourdough, or spending time with friends and family. If you’d like to learn more, see my LinkedIn profile.

Recognition

  • Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, "Associate to Watch" (2023-Present)

  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2024-Present)

Publications & Speeches

  • Planning in the Courts, APA Florida Chapter (Feb. 27, 2025)

  • Private Practitioners Panel, Hillsborough County Bar Association 7th Annual Environmental Land Use and Eminent Domain Law Conference (Feb. 7, 2025)

  • The Live Local Act: The Legislature’s Attempt to Kick-Start Large Scale Affordable Housing Projects, Florida Bar City, County and Local Government Law Section (Nov. 13, 2024)

  • Navigating the Country Boldest Housing Supply Legislation: Florida’s Live Local Act, Cafe Con Tampa (Nov. 3, 2024)

  • Building Solutions: Navigating the Future of Affordable Housing in Florida, REIC Tampa Bay (Oct. 16, 2024)

  • Legal Insights on Developing and Investing in Florida, BankUnited Commercial Real Estate Client Symposium (Oct. 2, 2024)

  • Public Policy Forum: Unraveling National Trends in State and Local Policy, Florida’s Statewide Affordable Housing Conference, Florida Housing Coalition (Aug. 26, 2024)

  • Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis, Florida Land use Law Conference, CLE International (Aug. 23, 2024)

  • The Live Local Act, Florida Land use Law Conference, CLE International (Aug. 23, 2024)

  • Land and Golf Course Redevelopment: Opportunities and Challenges, 38th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School (July 17, 2024)

  • A Live Local Act Panel Discussion, CREW Tampa Bay (Apr. 2, 2024)

  • Navigating Affordable Housing Law, Florida Housing Coalition (Feb. 16, 2024)

  • We Have Adopted a Comprehensive Plan, Now What? Implementing your Comprehensive Plan Through Adversity & Conflict while Managing Legal Implications of Tough Policy Decisions, 2023 Florida Planning Conference (Sept. 7, 2023)

  • Land and Golf Course Redevelopment: Opportunities and Challenges, 37th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School (July 19, 2023)

  • A Live Local Act Panel Discussion, CREW Tampa Bay (Apr. 2, 2024)

  • Navigating Affordable Housing Law, Florida Housing Coalition (Feb. 16, 2024)

  • We Have Adopted a Comprehensive Plan, Now What? Implementing your Comprehensive Plan Through Adversity & Conflict while Managing Legal Implications of Tough Policy Decisions, 2023 Florida Planning Conference (Sept. 7, 2023)

  • Land and Golf Course Redevelopment: Opportunities and Challenges, 37th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School (July 19, 2023)

Community Involvement & Board Service

  • Urban Land Institute (ULI), Associate Member (2024-Present)

  • Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Tampa Bay, Economic Summit Committee Chair (2024-Present)

  • Junior League of Tampa, Gasparilla & Public Affairs Committees (2020-Present)