Albert D. Quentel was known as the “dean of condominium lawyers” but to the Graham family, he was the guiding legal expert in the creation of the “New Town of Miami Lakes” in the early 1960’s.
Quentel, 80, passed away on August 6 of natural causes at his South Miami home.
The lifelong Miami native joined Greenberg Traurig in 1971 as the fifth named partner, bringing with him key clients including The Graham Companies, which he had represented since 1960.
Quentel had worked closely with the Graham family on the development of the 3,000 acres of the family’s land that in 1962 opened to the first families buying homes around the community’s first lake – Lake Patricia.
He laid the legal groundwork for the award-winning planning, extensive landscaping, parks and open space that would eventually become the calling card for Miami Lakes.
Quentel did everything from creating the rules that govern how homes look in Miami Lakes to forming the water and sewer utility, as well as the taxing district to maintain the community's many parks.
As one of Greenberg Traurig’s first lawyers, Quentel played a key role in the development of the real estate practice that became one of the firm’s largest and most-recognized practice groups.
“We lost a great friend, a great lawyer, and a great visionary,” said Larry J. Hoffman, Founding Chair of Greenberg Traurig. “We were very fortunate that he was part of the Greenberg Traurig family for more than 40 years. His memory will live on in the legacy he created of award-winning and caring real estate practitioners, not just at this firm, but throughout the state.”
Known as the “dean of condominium lawyers,” Quentel helped write Florida’s first condominium statute in 1963 as part of a team of three law firms hired by Arvida Corporation. Quentel pioneered the concept of two-unit condominiums to facilitate separate ownerships in mixed-use projects, established the legal precedent to speed the delivery of zero-lot-line homes, and developed strategies to save Florida taxes. His work for Arvida included most of the developer’s Miami-Dade County residential developments in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.
Greenberg Traurig co-chairman Matt Gorson said "Al was a true gentleman and an incredibly talented attorney. He was very thoughtful and academic in the way he approached the real estate industry and business. He enjoyed analyzing challenges and finding creative solutions."
“Anyone who lives in what is now the Town of Miami Lakes owes a great deal to Al’s legal genius. His love for community and for education also served Florida well.”
A devoted father and husband, Quentel was pre-deceased by his wife Paula Hagar Quentel. He has been a life-long role model to his six sons: Albert Jr., Miami; Stephen (wife, Lori), Maine; Lee, Montana; Paul (wife Michelle), Miami; Peter, Miramar; and Michael (wife Rebecca), Toronto.
He is also survived by companion Clara Sue Stegemann; five grandchildren: Kaitlin, Micah, Caleb, Kaiya and Jacques; great grandson Gabriel, and another great grandchild on the way.
A memorial service was held on August 11 at Plymouth Congregational Church where Quentel was a longtime active member serving in various leadership roles. The family has requested donations in his memory be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the National Parkinson Foundation.