An Aventura attorney who worked in Big Law before striking out on her own just closed a $15 million recapitalization for a new office building in northeast Miami-Dade County.

Melissa Groisman, who started Melissa Groisman Law in 2018, represented travel agency owner and entrepreneur David Mendal in securing the loan and other aspects of the project.

Mendal, CEO and chairman of Forest Travel & Affiliate Cos. in Miami, developed a four-story office building near Aventura where he will relocate Forest Travel's headquarters.

Groisman represented Mendal in securing a $12 million construction loan and securing leases for the new building.

Mendal's 28,500-square-foot project sits on just over a half-acre lot south of Miami Gardens Drive at 2420 NE 186th St.

Groisman secured the recapitalization from Synovus Bank on June 29, a day after obtaining a temporary certificate of occupancy.

Mendal's Forest Travel, which is based nearby at 2440 NE Miami Gardens Drive, and affiliated companies will take up the third and fourth floors of the building.

A medical office and other companies will take up the second story, and a restaurant and furniture store will be on the first floor, according to Groisman.

Groisman previously was a Rosenthal Rosenthal Rasco partner, which is the position she held when she secured the $12 million construction loan for Mendal.

She also was a partner at Snyder International Law Group and an associate at GrayRobinson and Becker & Poliakoff.

Groisman first represented Mendal while at Snyder International in the sale of a shopping center and calls him "very entrepreneurial," pointing out his Forest Travel is the official travel company for Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic space flight venture.

Their long attorney-client relationship represents the way Groisman works for her clients.

"I become a member of the team," she said. "I feel like I partner with my clients to help their businesses succeed."

Instant Insights /

Aventura Developer Closes $15M Recap for New Office Building

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