Nearly twenty years ago, Argentine attorney Maria Marta Calderon arrived in South Florida with a dream to practice law in the United States. After graduating with highest honors from the University of Miami (UM) School of Law and gaining experience at firms on the Am Law 200 list, she founded Calderon Law Firm. Now a trusted advisor to developers and Family Offices, Calderon shares insights on cross-border asset protection and real estate structuring.
Calderon emphasizes that the most severe mistake Latin American entrepreneurs make is assuming U.S. rules mirror those in their home countries. Relying on non-specialists like real estate agents or title companies often leads to poor structuring, triggering legal liabilities, tax exposure, and complications with FIRPTA. She advises viewing a property purchase as an asset protection strategy, not a mere transaction.
Purchasing real estate in one's personal name as a foreign national is hazardous, according to Calderon. It can trigger federal estate tax for non-resident aliens, require ancillary probate, and expose the owner to lawsuits. A proper corporate or fiduciary structure limits liability, safeguards assets, and facilitates family succession. She stresses that every case is unique and requires individualized counsel.
In commercial real estate, Calderon sees opportunities in mixed-use developments, logistics centers, multifamily housing, data centers, and tech-driven projects. She notes that due diligence varies by property type—analyzing a multifamily property differs from a data center, which requires scrutiny of power grid infrastructure and energy redundancy. Her role is to guide foreign investors through each stage, ensuring they remain protected and properly structured.
Having served as a Director of the Argentine-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and being a licensed attorney in Argentina, Calderon bridges the gap between Civil Law and Common Law systems. She helps entrepreneurs navigate legal and cultural differences, capitalizing on the legal certainty and stability the U.S. offers.
Her golden advice: surround yourself with excellent advisors and never sign anything under pressure. Contracts in the U.S. are powerful, and judges do not rewrite them. Many clients come to her after signing problematic contracts, leading to financial losses or costly litigation. She builds long-term relationships based on trust, transparency, and serious work.
