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Real Estate

" The work we have given them is complicated. Their mastery of the details and nuances of various outcomes is masterful. "
— Real Estate client, Chambers USA

Benesch’s Real Estate Practice Group includes more than 50 real estate professionals and is a recognized leader in the Midwest and throughout the country. The firm is recognized by Chambers® and 2025 Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" for this practice area.

We represent buyers, sellers, developers, business owners, landlords, tenants, lenders and borrowers in a full range of services, from organizing and structuring the largest, most complex transactions throughout the country and around the globe to advising clients on their daily portfolio management issues and environmental compliance, regulatory and liability issues.

In short, when our clients are involved in their most complex joint venture, acquisition/disposition, financing and development projects, they regularly engage Benesch to represent them on such matters due to our market knowledge and our reputation as dealmakers. One aspect of our practice that we think sets us apart from our peers in the real estate industry is that we are frequently engaged very early in the planning process by our clients because we participate in the structuring of the deal and in the formation of the capital stack, by making strategic introductions between developer clients and debt and equity sources.

Benesch has significant experience in providing counsel on property acquisitions and dispositions, as well as the acquisition of distressed debt and assets. Further, we counsel clients in all aspects of complex real estate transactions, including diligence, structure, negotiation and documentation. We have completed hundreds of purchase, sale, and joint venture transactions. We understand the importance of moving a deal forward. Each transaction has a pace to it that must be maintained to preserve the momentum of the deal and get it to closing.

Benesch partners with clients to simplify state and local zoning and land use regulations and successfully advocate clients' projects with state and local governments and local communities. Our goal is to have our clients' construction projects entitled, permitted, financed and constructed in a manner that is timely and cost effective.

Five of our partners are members of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (“ACREL”), which is a group whose purpose is to gather together lawyers distinguished for their skill, experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of real estate law. Membership in ACREL is by invitation only.

Our Real Estate practice is nationally ranked by 2025 Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” 17 Benesch attorneys were honored on the 2025 Best Lawyers® list in Real Estate Law. Additionally, our Real Estate practice is recognized by Chambers®, with four of our partners distinguished as Leading Lawyers. Many attorneys in Benesch's Real Estate Practice Group are members in the Urban Land Institute ("ULI") and the International Council of Shopping Centers ("ICSC"), and regularly speak at industry conferences.

As noted above, our real estate practice is truly national in scope. While clients benefit from the lower rate structure that comes from working with a Midwest-based firm, our experience has no geographic limits in the U.S. Another benefit of the geographic scope of our practice is that we have a very strong network of local counsel who we are able to call upon when needed.

Real Estate Transactions

  • Ongoing representation of numerous international and domestic REITs, private equity funds, pension funds and private developers in retail lease transactions, including the negotiation of approximately 2,000 retail lease transactions (over the past three years), including anchor leases, food/beverage/entertainment leases, in-line tenant leases, ground leases, and related transactions throughout the U.S.
  • Serving as lead real estate legal counsel to Toys “R” Us Property Company I, LLC (“Propco I”), a subsidiary of Toys “R” Us, Inc., in an effort to maximize the value of Propco I’s portfolio of approximately 284 properties in 46 states totaling 14.5 million square feet as part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Toys “R” Us and its affiliates. Benesch is performing comprehensive real estate legal services associated with the operation, lease and sale of these of properties, which include former Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores, distribution centers, the Company’s corporate headquarters in Wayne, NJ, and surplus retail properties ancillary to the former store locations.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in the acquisition, financing and development of a 145-unit market-rate multifamily apartment development with retail space near Boston, Massachusetts. Benesch handled all aspects of the debt and equity financing for the project, including $34 million senior construction financing and a joint venture with a national institutional equity investor, in addition to general development matters.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in a multiple-layered joint venture and construction financing for a 190+ unit multifamily apartment project in a mixed use development near North Andover, Massachusetts. The transaction involved traditional senior construction financing, a cross-contribution agreement, development of shared infrastructure, the relocation of easements, and multiple levels of joint ventures, including a joint venture with a large institutional investor.
  • Ongoing representation of a global real estate investor in all leasing transactions, asset management work and multiple redevelopment projects across an 11-million square foot portfolio of malls and shopping centers throughout the U.S. One particularly complex redevelopment involved the total transformation of a former urban mall Ballston Common in Arlington, Virginia, into a mixed-use project including experiential retail, entertainment, office and residential uses.
  • Represented one of the largest developers, owners and managers of multifamily residential property in the country in connection with the disposition of a two property portfolio of apartment complexes with in Texas, one in a suburb of Austin and the other in San Antonio. The properties were each subject to unique condominium association structures, and one of the properties was the subject of a 1031 exchange, which added complexity to the transaction.  Benesch handled all aspects of the disposition on behalf of the client, other than certain tax advice in connection with the 1031.
  • Ongoing representation of one of the country’s largest retailers in negotiations with regional developers in connection with the development, construction, operation and potential sale of outparcel development projects located on approximately 60 properties owned and ground leased by the client on a nationwide basis. The transactions involve unique structuring, including fee for development models as well as potential joint ventures and profit participation rights, as determined on a project and developer specific basis.  Benesch has helped the client develop form documents and processes for the negotiation and execution of term sheets and letters of intent, predevelopment agreements and development agreements. 
  • Ongoing representation of one of Canada’s largest developers and owners of multifamily residential properties in connection with all of its U.S.-based acquisition and dispositions as well as the ongoing asset management of these properties. As part of this engagement, Benesch has assisted in the acquisition, asset management and disposition of multiple large-scale apartment projects in Florida, Ohio and Texas. 
  • Ongoing representation of a large, publicly-traded REIT in connection with the disposition of a portfolio of approximately 50 assets across over 20 states.
  • Ongoing representation of a fully-integrated real estate developer, owner and manager of retail properties focused on acquiring distressed or “value-add” shopping centers that can be redeveloped into complex retail and mixed use properties. As part of this engagement, Benesch has assisted in the acquisition, re-capitalization, redevelopment and leasing of multiple large-scale retail redevelopment projects in Florida and Massachusetts.  Benesch handles all aspects of the client’s acquisitions, joint ventures and capital transactions, including all debt and equity matters.
  • Represented a national real estate investment fund in connection with the acquisition of a 170,000+ square foot regional retail power center located outside of Chicago, Illinois. Representation included negotiation of the purchase agreement, conducting title, survey, zoning, leasing and other legal due diligence, providing counsel in connection with equity and debt financing and joint venture structuring, and closing the transaction.  The transaction also involves complicated ongoing material leasing matters that are being addressed in connection with the sale. 
  • Represented one of the world’s largest international real estate private equity firms and that company’s operating partner in connection with the acquisition of an approximately 600,000 square foot mixed use property located in the greater Oakland, California market. The property includes a dominant regional retail power center, as well as office, industrial and flex space. 
  • Represented a private developer in connection with the acquisition and financing of a regional shopping center located in Southwest Ohio. Benesch assisted with the acquisition and handled all aspects of the debt and equity financing for the project, including a $21 million CMBS loan and an $8 million equity investment from a joint venture partner.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate private equity funds in connection with its sale of a multistate portfolio of wholly- and joint venture­ owned grocery-anchored shopping centers for over $100 million.
  • Represented a large publicly traded REIT in connection with multiple sales of grocery anchored shopping centers and power centers, as well as excess development land, on a national basis, with transaction values typically ranging from $10 million to in excess of $50 million. Recently closed transactions include sales of assets located in Arkansas, Idaho, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida.
  • Benesch represented a multifamily developer in the acquisition of a large market-rate apartment complex in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, which also included acquisition financing, a preferred equity component, and a complicated joint venture.
  • Represented a private developer in connection with the acquisition and financing of an existing regional shopping center and to-be-developed land in Goodyear, Arizona. The debt component included a $35 million CMBS loan. Benesch will also serve as project counsel in connection with the development of the adjacent land.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate owners and managers in the disposition of a power center in Alabama with a purchase price of almost $54 million.
  • Represented a developer in its capacity as the primary investor in a joint venture being formed for an approximately $91 million acquisition and redevelopment of a mixed-use (retail and office) property located in Brooklyn, New York.
  • Represented a large institutional investor as purchaser of a $52 million grocery-anchored shopping center in Pennsylvania and subsequently as borrower on a $32 million CMBS loan secured by such shopping center.
  • Represented a publically-traded REIT in the sale of a 175,000 square foot shopping center for $18.5 million in Horseheads, New York.
  • Ongoing representation of large institutional joint venture in connection with the sale of numerous significantly sized shopping centers located throughout the U.S. Recently closed transactions include sales of assets located in Georgia, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee.
  • Represented a private equity fund in connection with its sale of a joint venture­owned power center in Texas for over $80 million and assignment of the loan encumbering such shopping center.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate private equity funds in connection with the acquisition of a retail focused mixed-use property in California for in excess of $45 million.
  • Represented a large institutional investor as borrower on a $27 million CMBS loan secured by a grocery-anchored shopping center in California.
  • Ongoing representation of a developer in connection with the de-malling and complete transformation of recently acquired, struggling enclosed malls, including providing counsel with respect to the construction, development, public finance, leasing, REA and anchor tenant approval considerations and negotiations, and debt and equity financing.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate owners and managers in the disposition of a grocery-anchored shopping center in Nassau County, New York, with a purchase price of $75 million.
  • Represented a large institutional investor in the disposition of a power center near Birmingham, Alabama, with a purchase price in excess of $60 million.
  • Represented the purchaser in the acquisition and financing of a shadow­anchored shopping center located near Grand Rapids, Michigan, including a “reverse” 1031 exchange.
  • Represented the borrower in a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure transaction for a 334,000 square foot shopping center with no liability to the borrower and structured as a like-kind exchange to defer recognition of depreciation recapture in Flint, Michigan.
  • Represented large real estate private equity fund in connection with the sale of multiple retail properties located in Texas.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate private equity funds in the acquisition of a fee and ground leasehold interest with respect to a grocery anchored shopping center located in Connecticut.
  • Ongoing representation of a private family in connection with the redevelopment of a former Kmart into a multitenant shopping center, which includes junior anchor leases, modification of title documents, and acquisition of adjacent land.
  • Ongoing representation of a private developer in the negotiation of capital transactions for the acquisition and redevelopment of shopping center assets throughout the U.S., including multiple preferred equity investment transactions with institutional investors.

Sale-Leaseback Transactions

Benesch’s Real Estate Practice Group works directly with owners, investors, lenders and other clients, to navigate the benefits and complexities of sale-leaseback transactions.  Sale-leasebacks are often used when owners of real estate property need to raise capital in circumstances when conventional financing may not be available or appropriate. In today’s current tightening credit market, sale-leaseback transactions have re-emerged as an attractive vehicle for owners and investors of real estate to tap a readily available source of capital.  Sale-leaseback transactions have become increasingly popular over the last two decades, but have experienced an accelerated growth over the past few years.  Given the current economic climate, many companies are exploring the possibility of monetizing the increased value of their real estate holdings and the historically low interest rates, which allows the company to enhance liquidity, invest the proceeds back into their core business, finance acquisitions or growth strategy, or invest in other ventures.  Our representative sale-leaseback experience includes:

  • Represented the seller/tenant in the sale-leaseback of four manufacturing facilities in four states for over $48 million.
  • Represented the buyer/borrower acquisition, financing and leaseback of a supermarket property in Costa Mesa, California for $13 million.
  • Represented the buyer/borrower in the acquisition, financing and leaseback of a supermarket property in Torrance, California for $8.5 million.
  • Represented a Fortune 500 tire manufacturer in the sale-leaseback of improved real property with the construction of a new corporate world headquarters, a new headquarters facility for the North American tire business and improvements to the company’s technical center and research facilities.
  • Handled divestiture of a 40-acre parcel and the subsequent leaseback of a 6-acre parcel to serve as the site of a world headquarters.
  • Represented numerous manufacturing and distribution companies in sale-lease back transactions.

Representing Lenders

  • Represented one of the nation’s largest banks as the lead syndicator and arranger of construction financing for the development of an iconic 34 story residential tower with ground floor retail space and a parking garage in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The development is a high-profile project in the nation’s second largest performing arts district outside of New York. The development involved a vertical subdivision and multiple ground lease structure. As counsel for the lead bank, Benesch took the lead in the document negotiation and all aspects of due diligence, including title, survey and zoning review and comprehensive review and analysis of the documentation of the tax increment financing and other public incentives that the project received.
  • Represented a national lending institution in the senior loan on the $350+ million mixed-use hotel/multi-family and retail development on E. 9th Street in Cleveland, Ohio. Our work included documenting the $70 million construction loan, and coordinating the loan with 24 other sources of capital necessary to fund the development of the complex development.
  • Represented a lender in the making of a $21 million mezzanine loan secured by a pledge of membership interests in an entity that was developing a shopping center in Chicago, Illinois. The loan involved complicated intercreditor issues and purchase rights, as well as a multitude of construction issues.
  • Negotiated with lender for a partial release of one of the properties permitting the sale under threat of eminent domain.
  • Represented a pension fund in the permanent financing of a suburban shopping center.
  • Represented a life insurance company in numerous financings of commercial and retail properties.
  • Represented large national lenders on the issuance of construction loans to developers for the acquisition and development of multiple parcels of land.
  • Represented lender in the financing for a high-rise building containing a hotel and office space secured by mortgage encumbering air rights, fee and leasehold parcels.
  • Represented a lender in the acquisition of a 15-story apartment/mixed-use property by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure of a $32 million mortgage.
  • Represented lender in the financing of seven office/warehouse projects in two states.
  • Represented a mezzanine lender in connection with a $1.2 million bridge loan.
  • Represented a lender in connection with several mezzanine loans provided to retail property owners, each having a typical transaction value of in excess of $10-$15 million.
  • Represented a national bank in connection with all real estate matters relating to the issuance of letters of credit in excess of $25 million to support the bond financing of senior care, nursing home and assisted living facilities.
  • Represented a national bank in connection with all real estate matters relating to a $16.5 million credit facility.

Representing Owners/Developers

  • Represented a multiple national and regional developers in connection with the redevelopment of over 50 shopping centers (including open air-centers and enclosed malls) throughout the U.S. In this role, we enter the process early and start by evaluating the potential legal hurdles (co-tenancy, consent rights, REA issues, etc.) in order to assess the feasibility of a potential redevelopment project. We then often serve as project counsel in connection with the development, construction, financing (debt and equity) and leasing efforts, in many cases leveraging our national relationships with retailers and financing sources to aid in the completion of the project.
  • Represented a developer in the development and new construction of a 2.2 million square foot integrated mixed-use complex covering two city blocks. The project is an arrangement of subdivided air-rights parcels with the following components: 48-story residential tower with apartments and condominiums, 17-story 200,000 square foot class A office tower, 120,000 square feet of first and second floor retail, 84 linear residential units, over 1,800 stall parking structures and a 90-key luxury hotel that spans the airspace between the residential tower and office tower.
  • Ongoing representation of a developer in connection with the de-malling and complete transformation of recently acquired, struggling enclosed malls, including providing counsel with respect to the construction, development, public finance, leasing, REA and anchor tenant approval considerations and negotiations and debt and equity financing.
  • Represented a national developer in connection with the co-development of a high-profile, vertical-mixed use project in Texas. The project includes multiple uses, including a 430+ unit multifamily apartment complex, within a large scale vertical mixed-use project including ground floor retail, office and hotel uses and subterranean parking facilities. Benesch serves as overall project counsel to one of the national co-developers. The project involves a complex leasehold, vertical condominium regime and is a public/private partnership with local governmental entity.
  • Ongoing representation of the owner/developer in the redevelopment of enclosed regional mall in the Washington D.C. metro market, into an urban, mixed-use project including experiential retail, office, parking and multi-family apartment project.
  • Represented a regional developer in connection with multiple vertical mixed-use development projects, involving retail, multi-family and student housing, many of which developments are structured as long-term development ground leases.
  • Represented developers of new shopping centers, including a 1.6 million square foot open air shopping center in southwest Florida, including multiple phases and a variety of uses, such as retail, entertainment, restaurant and hotel.
  • Represented the developer of an 80-acre, mixed-use retail, entertainment and residential project in southeast Florida, integrated with an existing state-of-the-art thoroughbred horse race track with a Vegas-style clubhouse and casino.
  • Represented one of the largest developers, owners and managers of multifamily residential property in country in the development and financing of a 330-unit multifamily apartment development near San Antonio, Texas, including multiple joint venture limited liability company agreements, $28+ million construction financing, $11.5 million mezzanine financing, a shared work infrastructure development agreement and multiple declarations of covenants, restrictions and easements related to the mixed-use development of which the apartment property is a part.
  • Represented a developer in its capacity as the primary investor in a joint venture formed for the acquisition and redevelopment of a mixed-use (office and retail) property located in Brooklyn, New York. In documenting the joint venture, Benesch led the effort to structure the purchaser/borrower vehicle as a tenancy-in-common arrangement (including the drafting of a complex tenancy-in-common agreement) to take advantage of 1031 proceeds that were brought into the deal. The interest acquired in the transaction was a leasehold interest (which included a complicated ground lease and sub-ground lease structure).
  • Represented a large developer in connection with the acquisition of a large downtown garage, and the development of a 20 story multi-family tower to be constructed above the existing garage. Our work includes the documentation of the acquisition documents, the formation of the complicated joint venture structure, and the handling of all development, financing and construction matters. Development will cost approximately $100 million.
  • Represented a large developer in connection with the development of a $300 million+ mixed-use development in downtown Cleveland, OH. Our work includes the land assemblage, acquisition financing, documentation of the entire capital stack (including multiple joint venture structure), the $235 million construction loan, and all diligence matters including complex environmental issues.
  • Development and financing of two $40 million+ multi-family developments in Dallas, Texas. Representation included all work with respect to property development issues, structuring and documentation of construction financing and mezzanine financing, and equity negotiation and documentation.
  • Represented one of the largest developers, owners and managers of multi-family residential property in country in the development and financing of a multi-phase multifamily apartment development in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with an initial phase of more than 360 apartment units, including multiple joint venture limited liability company agreements, $57+ million construction financing, a ground lease, an option agreement, a shared work infrastructure development agreement and an amendment to an existing declaration of covenants, restrictions and easements.
  • Restored and redeveloped the Colonial and Euclid Arcades in Cleveland, Ohio into a $30 million mixed-use facility consisting of a hotel, retail businesses, and a parking garage. The deal included conventional financing, two loans from the city of Cleveland, a HUD 108 loan, and Tax Increment Financing.
  • Represented a real estate developer in the development and leasing of a three­phase, 550,000 square foot shopping center in Newark, Delaware.
  • Represented one of the largest multifamily development construction and management companies in the country in the acquisition, financing and development of a 131-unit market-rate property located in Jersey City, NJ. Benesch handled all aspects of the debt and equity financing for the project, including a senior construction financing, a joint venture agreement with multiple private equity investors and a complicated promote structure, in addition to general development matters. The project also involved several complex issues, including a contribution of land by one of the joint venture partners, several complicated title issues, and a complicated 1031 structure to accommodate several of the equity investors.

Experience

  • Represented a large privately owned REIT in connection with its sale of a shopping center in Ann Arbor, Michigan for over $53 million.
  • Represented a large West Coast REIT in the disposition of a large multi-family property in Los Angels, California for a purchase price of approximately $240 million.
  • Represented a publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in convenience real estate in the acquisition of a 5-property convenience portfolio in Pennsylvania for nearly $15 million.
  • Represented a publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in grocery anchored shopping centers in its nearly $37 million acquisition of the Westgate North Shopping Center in Washington.
  • Represented a nonprofit animal services company in the purchase of its new headquarters in Garfield Heights, OH. 
  • Represented multi-family developer in the sale of affordable senior housing development in Houston, Texas. 
  • Represented a buyer in connection with its acquisition of five properties leased to national retailer for an aggregate purchase price over $8 million.
  • Represented a buyer in connection with its acquisition of three gas stations in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Mississippi for an aggregate purchase price of $74 million.
  • Represented a leader in the veterinary industry in its acquisition and lease-back of property located in Bloomfield Hills, MI for about $1.5 million.
  • Represented a metal manufacturer in the sale of an industrial warehouse in Ohio for over $6 million.
  • Represented a publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in multifamily in the sale of apartments in California for more than $125 million.
  • Represented one of the largest multi-family owners in the country in connection with its acquisition of two commercial properties located outside San Francisco, California for an aggregate purchase price of $26 million. This transaction was in connection with a new multi-family development planned on the property.
  • Represent NRP in the sale of a multifamily property located in in Bee Cave, Texas for $49 million.
  • Represented a large private equity firm in the buyout of its membership interests in a joint venture owning a hotel located in Illinois.
  • Represented a large private equity firm in the sale of four multifamily apartment properties in Ohio for over $60 million.
  • Represented a medical device company as the tenant in the negotiation of a new 260,000-square-foot build-to-suit warehouse lease. The negotiation included the negotiation of the donation of the land for the facility from the town in return for the $37 million capital investment. 
  • Represented a real estate agency in the acquisition of a medical center in Ames, Iowa for $2.75 million.
  • Represented a real estate agency in the purchase of a single tenant commercial building in Belleville, IL.
  • Represented a real estate development and investment firm in the sale of multifamily development located in Salisbury, MD for $15 million, which required a loan assumption by the buyer and a joint venture with the buyer.
  • Represented a REIT in the sale of outparcel land in Lake View Plaza, Orland Park, IL for $2.6 million.
  • Represented Custom Glass Solutions LLC, a glass manufacturing firm and portfolio company of Stellex Capital Management, on the sale and leaseback of a property out of which they operate in Upper Sandusky, Ohio for over $22 million. The deal was structured as a sign-and-close sale leaseback with significant financing issues to release the existing mortgage prior to closing. 
  • Represented KeyBank in connection with its $23.85 million loan for the acquisition of two industrial properties in Lugoff, South Carolina.
  • Represented one of the largest private equity funds in the world in connection with the real estate and loan-related matters of its acquisition of a portfolio of 43 mortgage loans from a publicly-traded superregional bank for over $920 million.
  • Represented The Mid-America Management Corporation in its acquisition of a shopping center in northeast Ohio for more than $12 million.
  • Represented The NRP Group LLC in a joint venture formation to allow for the construction and development of 3 multifamily projects in Texas.
  • Represented The NRP Group LLC in a more than $45 million joint venture financing for the construction and development of a multifamily project in Princeton, Texas.
  • Represented The NRP Group LLC in its $7 million purchase of unimproved land in Travis County, Texas, and the subsequent $53 million loan for the construction of a multifamily project on the land.
  • Advised Clarion Partners’ management in connection with the recapitalization and acquisition of an 83% ownership stake by Legg Mason for $585 million. Advising various fun sponsors in connection with sponsor-level recapitalizations and strategic investments.*
  • Representation of Douglas Emmett, Inc. in connection with the formation of a joint venture with Qatar Investment Authority to acquire a portfolio of four office buildings in Los Angeles for $1.34 billion.*
  • Represented a German bank in connection with the formation of a joint venture to redevelop a shopping mall into a mixed-use property.*
  • Represented a New York-based private equity firm in the formation of programmatic joint ventures with two senior housing developers for the acquisition, development and operation of senior housing facilities in the Northeast and California.*
  • Represented a private equity real estate company in the disposition of an office complex valued at approximately $153 million in Seattle, Washington.*
  • Represented a real estate private equity firm in the formation of a closed-end partnership to acquire two hotels located in Mexico.*
  • Represented overseas investors in the acquisition of hotel and industrial portfolios through Shari’ ah compliant structures.*
  • Represented overseas investors in the disposition of industrial portfolios and multifamily assets.*
  • Represented Pantzer Properties, Inc. in the formation of Panco Strategic Real Estate Funds II - V.*
  • Represented a shopping center REIT specializing in retail in its sale of an enclosed mall in West Virginia for $12.5 million.
  • Represented guarantor and its subsidiary borrowers in connection with a $530,000,000 syndicated mortgage loan secured by a portfolio of 35 shopping center assets located across the nation.
  • Represented one of the largest multifamily owners in the country in its disposition of an apartment complex in San Mateo, California for over $250 million.
  • Advised a tenant religious congregation in its long-running dispute with its commercial landlord, who demolished the congregation’s synagogue but failed to re-build it as required by the lease.*
  • Brought claims on behalf of the developers behind a $500 million Staten Island revitalization project against the design-build team commissioned to construct the Western Hemisphere’s largest Ferris wheel. Represented the developers as creditors in the bankruptcy proceedings that followed.*
  • Defended a Brooklyn private school against claims by a nationally recognized building contractor seeking compensation for defective renovation work.*
  • Defended a historic NYC church against claims that it had impliedly assigned the right to control its property to its former national organizing body.*
  • Defended a landlord in a declaratory judgment action brought by tenants alleging that their lease period never technically commenced, resulting in an extended rent-free period.*
  • Represented the buyer in its acquisition of a grocery anchored shopping center in a suburb of Chicago, IL for $16,650,000.
  • Represented a leading international investment and management firm in its $8.2 million disposition of an office complex in Maryland.
  • Represented a large private equity fund in connection with its acquisition of 12 properties located in Mississippi and Louisiana and leased to Dollar General for a total aggregate purchase price of over $21,000,000.
  • Represented the buyer in the acquisition of a six-tenant retail strip center located in the Dayton, Ohio area for approximately $6 million.
  • Represented one of the largest multifamily developers in the country as the seller in its disposition of an affordable housing property in Michigan, structured as a partnership interest entity sale.

  • Represented a large private equity fund in connection with its acquisition of 111-acre industrial property in Illinois for greater than $86 million.
  • Represented a publicly traded REIT in connection with a $495 million sale of a six property portfolio of shopping centers located in Ohio, Florida, Oregon and Arizona, consisting of approximately 2.5 million square feet of gross leasable area, to a joint venture between a state pension fund and Chicago area real estate investment firm.
  • Represented a large national shopping center developer in its $58,000,000.00 disposition of a shopping mall located outside of Denver, Colorado.
  • Represented a buyer in its $1,935,000 acquisition of a 0.5-acre property in Michigan leased to a tenant operating a pet neurology facility.
  • Represented a seller in its $4,100,000 sale of a four-tenant strip center outparcel located in Missoula, Montana.
  • Represented buyer in its $32,500,000 acquisition of 22.6-acre shopping center located in Loganville, Georgia, with 26 tenants and anchored by Kroger.
  • Represented a large private equity fund in connection with its acquisition of twenty-one retail/industrial properties in a more than $40 million NNN sale-leaseback portfolio transaction.
  • Represented a large private equity fund in connection with its acquisition of forty bank branch locations in a more than $55 million NNN sale-leaseback portfolio transaction.
  • Represented client in the acquisition and development of two future Popeye's in Colorado for a total of $5,357,143. Drafted and negotiated all loan documents, joint venture documents, acquisition documents and all other documents required in connection with the acquisition of the properties and loan.
  • Represented one of the nation's largest multifamily owners in its disposition of an apartment complex in Georgia for $21,600,000, which disposition included the defeasance of existing debt.
  • Represented one of the nation's largest multifamily owners in its disposition of an apartment complex in Georgia for nearly $16 million, which disposition included the defeasance of existing debt.
  • Represented a Fortune 500 company on the sale, leaseback, development and redevelopment of the client’s world headquarters and longtime campus located in northeast Ohio. The $250+ million project involved the sale of hundreds of acres of improved and unimproved property to numerous third parties.
  • Represented a global real estate private equity fund and that company’s operating partner on a complex portfolio sale of four large open-air shopping centers located in Ohio, New Jersey, Colorado and Arizona, in a deal valued at approximately $100 million.
  • Represented a global real estate private equity fund in connection with numerous acquisitions of grocery anchored shopping centers throughout the United States, including properties located in California, Florida and Pennsylvania, with each deal typically valued at $40+ million.
  • Represented a global real estate private equity fund in connection with numerous acquisitions of industrial, warehouse and flex properties throughout the United States, with each deal typically valued from $15 million to more than $40 million.
  • Represented a global real estate private equity fund in connection with the acquisition, joint venture structuring and financing of a 600,000+ square foot mixed use property located in the greater Oakland, CA area for more than $85 million.
  • Represented a global real estate private equity fund in connection with the acquisition of a 165,000+ square foot grocery anchored shopping center and industrial mixed use condominium project located in the greater Los Angeles, CA market, with a transaction value in excess of $45 million.
  • Represented a joint venture comprised of a global real estate private equity fund and a publicly traded REIT on a portfolio sale of five large grocery anchored shopping centers located in Florida and Pennsylvania for more than $100 million.
  • Represented a large public REIT in connection with the complex acquisition of a grocery anchored urban shopping center located in the heart of Chicago, IL for more than $80 million. The 130,000+ square foot shopping center was developed, constructed and leased during the course of the transaction. 
  • Represented a national real estate developer on the purchase of a $33 million note from an institutional lender secured by a prominent regional power center located in Kansas.
  • Represented a prominent industrial property owner on the sale of a three property industrial portfolio comprising 215,000+ square feet located in San Diego, CA for approximately $95 million.
  • Represented a prominent national developer on the development and financing of a 300+ unit multifamily apartment project in Texas, including structuring multiple joint ventures, negotiating construction and mezzanine financing, and addressing numerous development related title matters.
  • Represented a prominent national developer on the ground leasing, joint venture structuring, financing, development, and construction of a 350+ unit luxury apartment development valued at more than $100 million as part of a larger master planned mixed-used project in Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Represented a publicly traded REIT in connection with the portfolio sale of two regional power centers located in the greater Boston, MA market for $300+ million. 
  • Represented a publicly traded REIT in connection with the sale of an 11 property grocery anchored shopping center portfolio consisting of assets located in New York, Georgia and Ohio to a global investment fund for in excess of $150 million.
  • Represented a publicly traded REIT on a complex portfolio sale of three large regional shopping centers located in Utah in a deal valued at approximately $225 million. The shopping centers totaled more than 1,500,000 square feet of space.
  • Represented global real estate private equity fund in connection with the sale of an approximately 175,000 square foot grocery anchored shopping center located in San Francisco, CA for in excess of $105 million. 
  • Represented global real estate private equity fund in the acquisition of a 200,000+ square foot single tenant industrial property located in the Tampa, FL area for in excess of $27 million.
  • Represented multifamily property owner and operator in connection with the acquisition and financing of a two property apartment portfolio located in the greater Columbus, OH market, comprised of approximately 600 units, with a transaction value in excess of $80 million.
  • Represented NYC based real estate private equity fund on the acquisition and financing of a 535,000+ square foot retail power center located in Michigan for approximately $63 million.
  • Represented one of the country’s largest owners of multifamily properties on the acquisition and financing of a six property apartment portfolio located in Indiana, comprising over 2,100 units, with a transaction value of approximately $250 million.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest owners of industrial properties on the sale of a three property multi-tenant industrial portfolio comprising approximately 1,000,000 square feet in the San Antonio, TX area for more than $140 million.
  • Represented prominent real estate investment company on the disposition of a portfolio of three industrial properties located in Ohio and Indiana, with the properties comprising approximately 700,000 square feet and with a transaction value of more than $43 million.
  • Advised a publicly traded REIT on all facets of multiple redevelopment projects relating to existing shopping centers and potential conversions to mixed-use projects, including addressing title matters and potential tenant consents, pursuing joint venture opportunities, and negotiating with development partners.
  • Advised governmental client in connection with a $168 million redevelopment project involving over 250 separate parcels stretching over 7 miles of roadway in northeast Ohio. 
  • Handled all real estate matters with respect to the multi-state asset acquisition of a chain of rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities involving the fee purchase of 20+ properties and the assumption of 10+ leases, having an aggregate transaction value of approximately $190 million.
  • Represented a large public REIT in connection with a multi-faceted redevelopment of an existing shopping center located in the Chicago, IL area that encompasses nearly 700,000 square feet.  The project included a land sale to a prominent national retailer, significant related site work, and additional outparcel sales and add on development so as to maximize the value of the overall property.
  • Represented a large public REIT in connection with the acquisition of a 20,000+ square foot retail property located in Scottsdale, AZ for more than $13 million.
  • Represented a publicly traded REIT in connection with the sale of a 1,000,000+ square foot shopping center located in Arizona for in excess of $80 million.
  • Represented a publicly traded REIT on the making of an approximately $13 million mezzanine loan secured by a pledge of membership interests in an entity that owned a distressed shopping center in Florida.
  • Represented an Ohio based private equity fund in the acquisition, financing and eventual sale of numerous multifamily assets located in Florida.
  • Represented investment fund in connection with the purchase of an industrial property located in the Seattle, WA area for in excess of $25 million.
  • Represented investment fund in the acquisition of a multi-tenant industrial property located near Boston, MA and comprising nearly 100,000 square feet for approximately $20 million.
  • Represented investment group on the acquisition of an integrated mixed-use complex comprised of a 57 story 1,300,000 million square foot trophy office tower, 10 story historic office and bank building, 400 key hotel and subterranean parking garage. 
  • Represented large national industrial property owner and investor in the disposition of an industrial property located near Chicago, IL comprising 320,000 square feet with a transaction value of approximately $48 million.
  • Represented NYC based private equity fund and that firm’s operating partner in connection with the sale of a lifestyle center located in Orlando, FL for approximately $40 million.
  • Represented NYC based private equity fund on all real estate matters in connection with an approximately $350 million portfolio acquisition of senior living communities located in five different states.
  • Represented one of the country’s largest owners of multifamily properties in connection with the acquisition and financing of a 200+ unit apartment community located in southern Ohio for approximately $30 million.
  • Represented one of the country’s largest retailers on a number of significant development projects involving excess real estate across the United States.  These projects typically involved the development of multifamily, retail and/or office space, together with new structured parking, adjacent to the retailer’s operating stores at prominent regional shopping centers. 
  • Represented one of the world’s largest owners of industrial properties on the sale of a three property industrial and warehouse portfolio comprising roughly 500,000 square feet in the Milwaukee, WI area for over $40 million.
  • Represented prominent consumer goods company on the sale of multiple manufacturing and warehousing facilities located in Ohio as part of a larger $550 million corporate transaction. 
  • Represented prominent multifamily property owner and operator in connection with numerous dispositions of apartment complexes located throughout the United States that are typically valued between $10 million and $50 million.  The transactions frequently involve the assumption or defeasance of existing debt.
  • Represented prominent national developer in resolving an ongoing dispute with a joint venture partner relating to a large shopping center investment, including restructuring terms for the joint venture, addressing existing loan matters, and recapitalizing the company.
  • Represented prominent national property owner in the disposition of a 200,000+ square foot single tenant industrial property located near Atlanta, GA for over $18 million.
  • Represented prominent NYC based real estate private equity fund in the acquisition of a 235,000+ square foot grocery anchored shopping center located in Philadelphia, PA for more than $50 million.
  • Represented prominent real estate private equity fund in the acquisition of a 400,000 square foot industrial property in Savannah, GA for approximately $40 million. 
  • Represented a national banking institution with respect to loan workouts involving approximately $100 million of loans secured by distressed real estate assets, including documentation of loan modification terms, handling negotiations relating to additional collateral, navigating inter-creditor issues and lending group concerns, and advising as to bankruptcy filing implications.
  • Provide ongoing representation to several prominent national retail property owners in connection with the sale of shopping centers located throughout the United States that are typically valued between $10 million and $100 million.  These transactions have included successfully closing the sale of properties located in more than 40 different states.
  • Represented a large public REIT in connection with a portfolio review of dozens of shopping centers, based on the proposed subdivision, parcelization and transfer of multiple outparcels being split from existing properties. Our representation included assistance navigating all related title and leasing matters based on the outparcels being split from the shopping centers and then implementing the property transfers. 
  • Represented a large public REIT on the acquisition of a 400,000+ square foot regional power center located in Orlando, FL for approximately $67 million. The transaction involved purchasing both fee simple and ground leasehold interests in the property from different sellers, as well as working to resolve complicated title and leasing issues based on a multitude of leases and subleases in place.   
  • Represented a large public REIT on the sale of a sprawling regional shopping center encompassing 1,000,000 square feet located in Minnesota for approximately $70 million.  The transaction occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a multitude of delays, as well as numerous tenant closings and lease restructurings.  Our representation included assisting the client in navigating through these various issues and ensuring a successful closing. 
  • Represented a private equity fund in connection with all aspects surrounding a distressed real estate investment in a $150+ million regional shopping center located in Virginia.  Our representation included facilitating a forbearance agreement with the various lenders and special servicer responsible for the loans on the property, as well as assisting in a restructuring and recapitalization of the existing joint venture to enhance the client’s ability to turnaround the project on a going forward basis.
  • Represented a private equity fund on the acquisition and financing of an approximately 400 unit apartment community located in Colorado in a transaction valued at nearly $70 million, including handling all aspects of the joint venture structuring, property due diligence, negotiation of the property management agreement, and coordinating the assumption of two separate loans.
  • Represented a prominent national developer on the acquisition, financing, and redevelopment of a former industrial site as a 300+ unit luxury apartment project in Cleveland, OH. The transaction included handling all aspects of the debt and equity financing, as well as general development matters.
  • Represented a publicly traded REIT on the purchase of an approximately $18 million loan in foreclosure secured by a mortgage on a shopping center development that was under construction in Florida.  Our representation included obtaining new financing for the purchase of the distressed loan, addressing issues with the anchor tenant for the project, navigation intercreditor concerns and development matters, and resolving millions of dollars in liens on the project.
  • Represented a real estate private equity fund and that company’s operating partner in connection with the sale of a prominent regional power center located in Texas to a Wall Street based international investment fund for in excess of $100 million.
  • Represented NYC based real estate investment fund on the acquisition, financing and joint venture structuring with respect to the purchase of a 170,000+ square foot regional retail power center located in a suburb of Chicago, IL for approximately $30 million.
  • Represented a national, mixed-use developer in its leasing of end cap space to an expanding national veterinary services chain.
  • Represented one of the largest multifamily developers in the country as the seller in its disposition of a Class A multi-family project in Florida totaling $93,500,000.00.
  • Represented publicly traded REIT in the sale of a formers Sears in Cedar Rapids, IA for $3,500,000.
  • Represented a large private equity fund in connection with its acquisition of eleven retail locations across two states in a more than $22 million NNN sale-leaseback portfolio transaction.
  • Represented a large private equity fund in connection with its acquisition of thirteen bank branch locations in a more than $21 million NNN sale-leaseback portfolio transaction.
  • Represented a privately-owned REIT in its $14,100,000 disposition of part of a shopping mall located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  • Represented a leading international investment and management firm by performing all diligence and related needs for their purchase of loans in default for a total of over $600 million and subsequent foreclosures, involving over 70 properties in California.
  • Represented an operator of veterinary hospitals in its acquisition of a neighboring parcel of land in connection with the expansion of a veterinary clinic.
  • Twice negotiated a reverse-TIF to accommodate the sale of a 1 million SF incomplete manufacturing plant to a multi-national buyer. 
  • Represented one of the largest multifamily developers in the country as the seller in its disposition of an affordable housing property in Texas, which involved collapsing a ground lease structure to sell fee title to the property, negotiating equity contributions to fund closing contributions by the partnership of the property-owning partnership and the defeasance and later redemption of bond financing.
  • Represented a large industrial property owner and developer in the sale of a property in Indiana for $11,725,000.
  • Represented a leading real estate investment trust in the acquisition of a $16,250,000 grocery anchored shopping center in Georgia.
  • Represented a large real estate private equity fund through its communications infrastructure company in multiple acquisitions in 2023, including 42 properties and related wireless communication facilities in California, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. These acquisitions included over one hundred tenant interests and a combined value of over $100 million.
  • Represented an NYSE-listed REIT in the sale of an American casual dining restaurant chain in Kentucky and Delaware.
  • Represented Michigan company in $2,250,000 Regulation D offering of investor class securities in real estate acquisition company; $13,800,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan; and $22,000,000 acquisition of two multi-family properties in Ypsilanti, MI.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Illinois company in $120,000,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan and acquisition of a shopping center in Sacramento, CA.*
  • Served as co-counsel for a Florida company in $160,000,000 sale of multiple commercial properties in Key West, FL.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Texas-based lender in $9,900,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan for the acquisition and development of a self-storage facility in Chicago, IL.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Florida company in $47,000,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan for development of a multi-family property in St. Petersburg, FL.*
  • Represented Michigan company in $1,920,000 Regulation D offering of investor class securities in real estate acquisition company; $2,385,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan; and $4,500,000 acquisition of three multi-family properties in Ferndale, MI.*
  • Represented Michigan company in $5,470,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan for refinancing two multi-family properties in Southfield, MI.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Florida company in $16,000,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan for development of a multi-family property in St. Petersburg, FL.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Illinois company in $23,600,000 sale of a shopping center in Northbrook, IL.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Illinois company in $13,450,000 sale of a shopping center in Skokie, IL.*

  • Served as co-counsel for national lender in $40,000,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan for development of a commercial property in Miami, FL.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Michigan company in $15,151,500 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan and $14,000,000 acquisition of three multi-family properties in Wayne County, MI.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Illinois company in $12,600,000 sale of a shopping center in Chicago, IL.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Florida company in $16,060,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities loan for development of a multi-family property in Winter Haven, FL.*
  • Represented Tennessee corporation in $5,000,000 joint sale of the corporation’s outstanding stock and industrial property in Manchester, TN.*
  • Served as co-counsel for Illinois company in $30,500,000 sale of a shopping center in River Grove, IL.*
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily owners and operators in the sale of a multifamily property in Georgia for approximately $40 million. Our representation included coordinating the assumption by the buyer of existing debt on the property.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily owners in connection with numerous dispositions of apartment complexes throughout Michigan, having an aggregate transaction value in excess of $600 million. The sale transactions each included the defeasance of existing debt.
  • Represented a real estate investment and advisory firm in a $2,050,000 sale of a recently developed Dutch Bros in Lancaster, CA.
  • Represented a commercial real estate company in the purchase of $19,000,000 industrial property in Henderson, NC.
  • Represented the Landlord in connection with a ground sublease to a national quick-service restaurant chain in Grandville, Michigan.
  • Represented purchasers in the acquisition of multiple telecommunication sites throughout the country, ranging from single sites to large multi-site portfolios ranging from $150 thousand to $30 million dollars.*
  • Acted as real estate counsel in the site acquisition, financing, and construction of a $1.2 billion dollar natural gas power plant, overseeing title and survey work, third party rights, easements, and leases.*
  • Represented investors and developers in the site acquisition, financing, and construction of multiple solar projects throughout Ohio ranging from small scale farms to large scale projects.*
  • Represented real estate developer in the purchases and dispositions of industrial complexes, mixed use developments, and office complexes ranging from $6 to $63 million dollars.*
  • Represented County of Lawrence, Ohio in the $25.5 million dollar sale of the Union Rome Sewer District.*
  • Represented a large real estate private equity fund through its communications infrastructure companies in multiple acquisitions of more than one hundred telecommunications assets and related real property interests in California, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin for a total of over $75 million.  
  • Represent client in the purchase of an outdoor shopping center.
  • Represented one of the nation's largest property owners in its disposition of an approximately $30M industrial and warehouse facility in Jacksonville, Florida.
  • Represented client in the purchase of 5 properties that were recently developed in Michigan and Illinois and newly leased to tenants.
  • Represented one of the nation's leading real estate owners in a multi-state acquisition of five healthcare properties for over $24,000,000.00.
  • Represented the seller in a sale-leaseback transaction for a warehouse, office and manufacturing property in Stanford, Kentucky used for acrylic paints, oil paints, stretcher bars, easels, craft paper products and accessories.
  • Represented a fully-integrated real estate developer, owner and manager of retail properties in the conversion of enterprise-level equity held by an international institutional investor to senior debt held by that investor, which included redemption of the existing equity interests, creation of new debt instruments, modification of existing senior and junior debt documents, and amendment and restatement of the client’s joint venture agreement with the institutional investor.
  • Represented a leading international investment and management firm in transferring membership interests in 7 underlying real properties, with a total value exceeding $51 million.
  • Represented a national vehicle dealership chain in the negotiation of a mortgage loan to be used as indirect financing for the future expansion of the client’s business and related acquisition of other assets.
  • Represented one of the largest multifamily developers in the country as the seller in its disposition of two affordable housing properties in Texas totaling over $50,000,000, with one sale structured as a partnership interest entity sale and the other structured as a fee simple sale.
  • Represented one of the largest multifamily developers in the country as the seller in its disposition of five affordable housing properties in Texas totaling over $73,000,000, with three sales structured as partnership interest entity sales and the other two structured as fee simple sales.
  • Represented private equity client as lender in three separate acquisition and construction loans collectively totaling $47,525,000 secured by multi-family property located in Dallas, Texas, in connection with the firm’s representation of that private equity client in the negotiation of and entry into the following joint ventures: (a) negotiation of a preferred equity investment into an upstream issuer, and (b) negotiation of a joint venture to acquire real estate, representing the preferred investment issuer as the capital partner, totaling an additional approximate $18 million.
  • Represented the borrower in connection with a $1,100,000 bridge loan refinance of a senior living facility in Toledo, Ohio.
  • Represented the landlord in a lease with a boxing and martial arts fitness studio.
  • Represented seller in the sale of a recently developed grocery store in California.
  • Represented a publicly traded REIT in its acquisition of three commercial truck repair garages/warehouses in Ohio and Michigan in a $10,250,000.00 sale-leaseback transaction.
  • Represented the seller in its sale of a retail shopping center in Rochester, New York.
  • Represented one of the nation's largest property owners in its disposition of an approximately $37M industrial and warehouse facility in San Jose, CA.
  • Represented a national multifamily investment firm in its sale and recapitalization of a $160+ million multifamily property in New England encumbered by Agency debt.
  • Representing a large national owner/operator of retail properties in the conversion of certain institutional equity interests to debt.
  • Represented a national banking institution in connection with leasing, buying, and selling property for branch locations in the Midwest.
  • Represented owner and operator of big box shopping centers across the country.
  • Represented national grocery chain in connection with leasing, acquisition, and disposition of property across the country.
  • Representation of the owner in the refinancing of a hotel in northeast Ohio, with a $16 million CMBS loan.

  • Representation of a national banking lender in a more than  $17.5 million construction loan for the development of a strip-style shopping center with multiple outparcels located in Kentucky, including financing for the build-out of the national grocery store anchor tenant.

  • Representation of a national banking lender in a $45 million syndicated bridge loan into a master-lease structure to facilitate compliance with Sharia law, for the acquisition of a multifamily apartment building.

  • Representation of the owner in an approximately $75 million refinancing of two Northeast Ohio area private-pay independent and assisted-living senior housing facilities.

  • Negotiated multi-pronged risk transfer and risk management provisions to protect client.
  • Represented a major North American automobile manufacturer in the disposition of two very large former plants, located in Ohio and Indiana.
  • Serve as Project counsel for an American medical devices and health care company designing and constructing a $70 million dollar West Coast Center for Gene and Cell Therapy Research and Development.
  • Negotiated economic incentives with the Dayton-Montgomery Port Authority.
  • Represented Fortune 100 Company in the negotiation of a Capital Lease with the Dayton-Montgomery Port Authority and other governmental incentives with the State of Ohio regarding the expansion of a manufacturing plant in Tipp City, OH.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical company in the lease of a 154,000 square foot integrated biotechnology campus in San Francisco, CA.
  • Represented large multifamily operator in its $49M acquisition and $37M financing of large apartment complex in Texas.
  • Represented a large multifamily operator in the $95M acquisition and $79M financing of two large apartment complexes in the Miami, Florida area.
  • Represented large multifamily operator in its $115M acquisition and $94M financing of large apartment complex in Fort Worth, Texas area.
  • Represented a large multifamily operator on the $90M disposition of its Florida multifamily asset.
  • Represented a large multifamily operator in $42M acquisition and $32M financing of large apartment complex in Fort Worth Texas area.
  • Ongoing representation of a publicly-traded REIT in its acquisition of NNN Leased Properties across the US.
  • Represented one of Canada’s largest developers and owners of multifamily residential properties in connection with a CMBS loan in excess of $51 million for acquisition financing the equity joint venture with respect to a market rate apartment property in Texas.
  • Represented a regional multi-family developer and property owner in the structuring and $43 million acquisition financing via agency debt and institutional preferred equity of a market rate apartment property in the Columbus, Ohio area.
  • Represented one of Canada’s largest developers and owners of multifamily residential properties in connection with a CMBS loan in excess of $89 million for acquisition financing and the equity joint venture with respect to a market rate apartment property in Texas.
  • Represented a regional multi-family developer and property owner in the $53 million refinancing of a market rate apartment property in the Columbus, Ohio area.
  • Represented a developer in the acquisition financing for a 14 property portfolio of affordable housing multi-family projects in Virginia for a purchase price in excess of $50 million.
  • Represented one of Canada’s largest developers and owners of multifamily residential properties in connection with all of its United States-based acquisitions and dispositions. As part of its dispositions, we have assisted the client with the sale of multiple multifamily properties in Texas and Florida, each with a sales price in excess of $50 million.
  • Represented one of Canada’s largest developers and owners of multifamily residential properties in connection with a CMBS loan in excess of $40 million for acquisition financing the equity joint venture with respect to a market rate apartment property in Texas.
  • Represented a regional multi-family developer and property owner in the $28 million acquisition financing of a market rate apartment property in the Dayton, Ohio area.
  • Represented a private developer in connection with the sale/ground leaseback and $34 million refinancing of a student housing development in Arlington, Texas, and handled all aspects of the sale/ground leaseback and refinancing.
  • Represented one of Canada’s largest developers and owners of multifamily residential properties in connection with a CMBS loan in excess of $79 million for acquisition financing the equity joint venture with respect to a market rate apartment property in Florida.
  • Represented a nationwide private equity lender on a $66 Million loan to acquire and improve a 739 unit garden apartment complex.
  • Represented one of Canada’s largest developers and owners of multifamily residential properties in connection with a CMBS loan in excess of $36 million for acquisition financing the equity joint venture with respect to a market rate apartment property in Texas.
  • Represented a private developer in connection with the $43 million construction financing of a student housing development in Gainesville, Florida, as well as all aspects of a complicated joint venture structure with the main equity partner, a national leader in student housing management. Due to certain requirements of certain equity investors/owners undergoing tax deferred 1031 exchanges, it was necessary to setup the transaction as a tenancy in common structure, which involved a more complicated overall structure due to various considerations that had to be taken into account to comply with IRS rules and regulations, along with a tenancy in common agreement to document the foregoing, all of which complicated matters with our construction financing.
  • Represented the seller of a seven property market rate apartment portfolio in Florida for a sales price in excess of $103 million.
  • Served as lead internal counsel for the national asset management/leasing teams of REITs with portfolios holding $5 billion+ in assets, 60 million+ square feet, 800+ tenants, and 300+ commercial properties.*
  • Served as lead internal counsel for a sponsor of national public REITs on numerous stock, asset, joint venture, and real estate transactions worth over $300 million.
  • Represented a large, NYC-based private equity fund in the portfolio acquisition of numerous apartment communities located in Colorado.  The transactions involved roughly 1,350 units spread across multiple properties and was valued at approximately $225 million. Our representation included a complex restructuring and recapitalization of multiple joint ventures, navigating complex tax matters, and negotiating and documenting several existing loan assumptions.
  • Represented a consortium of multibillion dollar multinational investor funds in the real estate matters related to a REIT’s contribution of a portfolio of over 40 NNN properties into a joint venture between the investors and the REIT to serve as the seed properties for an approximately $1.2 billion NNN property platform.

  • In 2020, Benesch exclusively represented Site Centers Corp. on all lease amendments throughout Site’s portfolio required as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Represented a multi-faceted redevelopment of an existing shopping center located in the Chicago, IL area that encompasses nearly 700,000 square feet. The project includes a land sale to a prominent national retailer that owns an adjacent parcel to allow for a store expansion by that retailer, as well as significant related site work.  Benesch is coordinating all aspects of the redevelopment and transaction for the client.
  • Ongoing representation of a global real estate investor in all leasing transactions, asset management work, and multiple redevelopment projects across an 11 million square foot portfolio of malls and shopping centers throughout the U.S.
  • Represented the owner/developer in the leasing of an enclosed regional mall into an urban, mixed-use project, including experiential retail, office, parking, and a multifamily apartment project.
  • Ongoing representation of multiple owner/developers (including publicly held REITs) in numerous leasing transactions nationwide with national, regional, and local tenants.
  • Served as retail leasing counsel in several regions (including West, North, and Midwest) for an owner and operator of grocery-anchored shopping centers.
  • Represented several of the largest shopping center owners in the United States in the negotiation and documentation of rent relief amendments due to COVID-19. This included the negotiation and documentation of over 1,000 lease amendments representing hundreds of millions of dollars in annual rent.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multi-family housing developers in a joint venture and construction loan for the financing and development of an approximately $100 million 442-unit market-rate multifamily apartment development in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Represented a Fortune 50 manufacturing company in its disposition of decommissioned manufacturing facilities.
  • Represented a publicly traded retail REIT in various disposition and development matters.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real owners and managers in the disposition of a shopping center near Fort Worth, Texas, with a purchase price in excess of $30 million.
  • Represented lenders in portfolio term loan financings covering dozens of properties in single transactions.
  • Represented a private, non-bank lender in a variety of loan workout transactions.
  • Advised a buyer on all environmental issues that arose in its acquisition of a ​national, full-service logistics business focused primarily on courier, warehouse management and distribution services.
  • Advised the seller of a national automotive repair business on environmental issues involving property transfer under New Jersey’s Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) and The Connecticut Transfer Act. 
  • Advised and managed multiple clients on the disposition of commercial, warehouse and office space under New Jersey’s Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA).
  • Managed the environmental due diligence of a fund’s acquisition of 83 department stores out of bankruptcy.
  • Represented a fully-integrated real estate developer, owner and manager of retail properties on the acquisition of a distressed shopping center in the Orlando, Florida area valued at over $38 million and on the $28 million loan secured by the shopping center.
  • Represented a fully-integrated real estate developer, owner and manager of retail properties on the acquisition of a shopping center in the Fort Worth, Texas area valued at over $58 million and on the $30 million loan secured by the shopping center.
  • Representing a NYSE-listed REIT in the negotiation of a construction loan and preferred equity financing in connection with a large multi-phased, mixed-use development (with retail, multifamily and other uses) in Illinois.
  • Represented a private real estate investment firm in the restructuring of a $300 million debt & equity facility, to fund the acquisition of large shopping centers and redeveloping them into mixed use projects.
  • Represented Canadian developer, owner and manager of multifamily residential property in in the acquisition and financing of 560+ unit multifamily development in Texas valued at $68 million.
  • Represented a Florida developer, owner and manager of shopping centers in the recapitalization (debt and equity) of ten shopping centers in southern Florida.
  • Represented a former national retailer in the disposition of a 656,000 square foot distribution center in California for over $35 million.
  • Represented a former national retailer in the disposition of its 191-acre former corporate headquarters in New Jersey.
  • Representation of the developer in the refinancing of a mixed-use residential and retail development in northeast Ohio, with an $80+ million CMBS loan.
  • Lead counsel for a national private equity fund in structuring and deploying a total of more than $150 million of loans within a one-year time period, with each individual loan in the $1 million to $12 million range, to acquire, construct or refinance troubled properties across all asset classes including retail, hospitality, multifamily (low-income and market rate) and senior living, industrial and office.
  • Representation of a national banking lender in a $75+ million construction loan for the rehabilitation and conversion of an office building into a residential rental apartment building in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Representation of an owner in the financing for the construction of its new headquarters office in a Chicago suburb.
  • Representation of a national banking lender in an approximately $25 million refinancing of an industrial/office portfolio with properties located in several states throughout the country.
  • Representation of RES Polyflow in the $185 million bond financing for construction of a new plastics conversion plant in Indiana.
  • Representation of the lender in the financing for the construction of a market-rate townhome project in North Carolina.
  • Acquisition, development, financing, leasing and management agreements for parking facilities throughout the United States. Included assemblies of multiple properties to create sites for parking facilities and future development, acquisition of office buildings with structured parking and financing of a portfolio of parking facilities.
  • Represented a Florida developer, owner and manager of shopping centers in the recapitalization of two grocery-anchored shopping centers in southern Florida valued at over $30 million.
  • Represented a large real estate private equity fund in connection with the acquisition of a grocery-anchored shopping center in southern Florida for over $34 million and subsequently as borrower on a CMBS loan secured by such shopping center.
  • Represented a large real estate private equity fund in connection with the sale of a joint-venture owned shopping center in Texas for over $20 million.
  • Represented a large real estate private equity fund in connection with the sale of joint-venture owned shopping centers in Illinois for over $48 million.
  • Represented Canadian developer, owner and manager of multifamily residential property in in the acquisition and financing of 560+ unit multifamily development in Texas valued at $68 million.
  • Represented Canadian developer, owner and manager of multifamily residential property in the sale of multifamily residential property in Texas valued at over $20 million.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest national banks as the lead syndicator and arranger of construction financing in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in a multiple-layered joint venture in Jersey City, New Jersey.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in a multiple-layered joint venture in North Andover, Massachusetts.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in the financing and development of a $51 million 145-unit market-rate multifamily apartment development with retail space near Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Represented the owner in the refinancing of an almost 1,000-unit multifamily apartment complex near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a $36 million Fannie Mae loan.
  • Represented the owner in the refinancing of an almost 300-unit multifamily apartment complex in Memphis, Tennessee, with a $16+ million Fannie Mae loan.
  • Represented the owner in the approximately $21 million refinancing of an industrial portfolio consisting of properties located in Lenexa, Kansas; Branchburg, New Jersey; Sheffield Village, Ohio; and West Chester, Ohio.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in a joint venture in Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Represented the owner in the refinancing of a 320-unit multifamily apartment complex in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a $16+ million Fannie Mae loan.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in a joint venture and construction loan in Maryland.
  • Represented the owner in refinancing of an approximately 400-unit multifamily apartment complex in Memphis, Tennessee, with a $15+ million Fannie Mae loan.
  • Represented the owner in the approximately $13 million financing of a shopping center in Evansville, Indiana.
  • Negotiated construction contracts for over 25 quick service restaurants.*
  • Represented client in multiple real estate acquisitions totaling over $100,000,000 for various developers.*
  • Negotiated national leases on behalf of top tier accounting firm.*
  • Handled national leasing negotiations for a retail tenant in over 15 locations throughout the United States.*
  • Led team in multi‐million‐dollar C&I acquisition financing for 18 limited liability companies.*
  • Negotiated and documented $50,000,000 in real estate loans for a single sponsor in a six‐month span.*
  • Represented client in $400,000,000 acquisition of multiple Ski‐Resorts located throughout the country.*
  • Acted as outside‐general counsel to national real estate developer.*
  • Raised over $50,000,000 in EB‐5 Funding for former employer, as in‐house counsel.*
  • Structured various entities, handled LLC formation and equity offerings for a national restaurant developer.*
  • Represented a Midwestern Community Development Entity in dozens of loans to Midwest nonprofits.
  • Serving as lead real estate legal counsel to Toys "R" Us Property Company I, LLC ("Propco I"), a subsidiary of Toys “R” Us, Inc., in an effort to maximize the value of Propco I’s portfolio of approximately 284 properties in 46 states.
  • Represent a fund in the sale of a 103 property portfolio of mobile home parks.
  • Member of the team that represented a public REIT in a $2.5 billion sale.
  • Member of a team of associates in an $854 million 45-property portfolio acquisition and financing involving properties across the country and multiple secured loans. Completed due diligence and drafted transfer documents.
  • Represented a local hospital in the acquisition and redevelopment of land in Northeast Ohio.
  • Represented a private equity company in many of its portfolio companies’ leasing efforts.
  • Helped shepherd the largest private coal company in the world through Chapter 11 bankruptcy and helped manage real estate assets valued in the billions of dollars.
  • Lead real estate associate in the acquisition of multiple granite quarrying businesses in the U.S. and Canada. Responsible for all transfer documents and the financing of the acquisitions.
  • Benesch is representing one of the country’s largest retail property owners in connection with the sale of a large 400,000 square foot regional shopping center to a private investment company.
  • Benesch represented a regional developer in the development of a luxury student housing project in Columbus, Ohio near the campus of Ohio State University.
  • Benesch represented one of the country’s largest retail property owners in connection with the sale of a prominent regional power center located in Texas to a Wall Street based international investment fund.
  • Benesch represented one of the world’s largest international real estate private equity firms and that firm’s prominent joint venture partners, including two of the largest retail property owners in the country
  • Benesch is representing one of the world’s largest international real estate private equity firms and a large public REIT, as joint venture partners, in the sale of large centrally located urban power center to a prominent national REIT.
  • Benesch represents one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in the ground leasing, financing, and development of a 430+ unit multifamily apartment complex within a large scale vertical mixed-use project
  • Represented the borrower in a $21 million CMBS loan secured by a five-property commercial real estate portfolio located in Bonita Springs, Florida.
  • Represented the borrower in a $7.6 million life insurance company loan secured by a multitenant industrial building located in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
  • Represented the borrower in a $23+ million insurance company loan secured by an industrial building located in Brownsburg, Indiana.
  • Represented the borrower in a $13+ million life insurance company loan secured by a multitenant industrial building located in Gainesville, Georgia.
  • Represented a national bank in a construction loan for a single-tenant building located in Port Charlotte, Florida.
  • Represented a national bank in a loan modification with membership interest pledges for a loan secured by an industrial building located in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate owners and managers in the disposition of a grocery-anchored shopping center in Nassau County, New York, with a purchase price of $75 million.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate owners and managers in the disposition of a power center in Alabama with a purchase price of almost $54 million.
  • Represented Canadian investors in the acquisition of a value-add multifamily apartment complex with ground floor retail located in Northeast Ohio and acquisition and renovation financing through a CMBS loan.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in a multiple-layered joint venture.
  • Represented the borrower in a $4+ million life insurance company loan secured by an industrial complex located in Worthington, Ohio.
  • Represented the seller in the disposition of a light industrial complex in Jacksonville, Florida, including a “reverse” 1031 exchange.
  • Represented the purchaser in the membership interest purchase of a limited liability company that owns a 150+ unit multifamily apartment complex located near Louisville, Kentucky, which acquisition also involved a HUD loan assumption and a joint venture.
  • Represented the purchaser in the acquisition and financing of a shadow-anchored shopping center located near Grand Rapids, Michigan, including a “reverse” 1031 exchange.
  • Represented a borrower in the $36 million Fannie Mae refinancing of a 960-unit multifamily apartment and shopping center complex located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate owners and managers in the disposition of a power center near Birmingham, Alabama, with a purchase price in excess of $60 million.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing developers in a multiple-layered joint venture.
  • Represented a NYSE listed REIT in the $400 million disposition of a 16 property multi-state portfolio of shopping centers.
  • Represented one of the largest private equity funds in the world as borrower in connection with multiple CMBS loan transactions secured by shopping center assets.
  • Advised an energy company in the lease of real estate for the construction of a manufacturing facility anticipated to cost over $200 million.
  • Represented Altus Capital Partners II, L.P. in the acquisition of MAX Environmental Technologies, a fully integrated environmental treatment and disposal company.
  • Represented one of the largest developers, owners and managers of multifamily residential property in country in the development and financing of a multi-phase multifamily apartment development in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate owners and managers in the disposition of a power center in Texas with a purchase price of $100 million.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest real estate owners and managers in the disposition of a shopping center in Tennessee with a purchase price in excess of $39 million.
  • Represented one of the largest developers, owners and managers of multifamily residential property in the country in the development and financing of a 330-unit multifamily apartment development near San Antonio, Texas.
  • Represented a publicly traded REIT in the approximately $400 million disposition of a 16-property multistate portfolio of shopping centers.
  • Represented a developer in the acquisition and financing of land in connection with a mixed use development in Southern California.
  • Represented a developer in the acquisition of a 14 property portfolio of affordable housing multi-family projects in Virginia for a purchase price in excess of $50 million.
  • Represented a developer in the acquisition and financing (bridge and construction) of land in Texas in connection with the development of a large student housing project.
  • Represented a NYSE-listed REIT in connection with the sale of a business park in California for a price in excess of $25 million.
  • Represented a borrower in a $102 million CMBS loan secured by a large regional mall.
  • Represented a purchaser in the acquisition and financing of two separate multi-family portfolios.
  • Represents one of the nation's largest multi-family housing developers in various development projects on a national basis.
  • Represented a prominent national developer and property owner in connection with obtaining multiple loans.
  • Represented the lender in the $14+ million construction financing of a single-tenant office facility near Akron, Ohio.
  • Represented a participating lender in a $20 million participation in a $65.5 million construction financing for the development of a multi-tenant retail shopping center near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Represented the borrower in the modification of a $5 million loan secured by a multi-tenant retail shopping center located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
  • Represented the owner in the $12 million refinancing of a ten-building multifamily apartment complex in Mishawaka, Indiana.
  • Represented the borrower in the $14 million refinancing of a multifamily apartment complex in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
  • Represented the lender in the modification of a $6+ million permanent financing of a single-tenant office facility near Akron, Ohio.
  • Represented the borrower in the modification of a $5.6 million loan secured by a single-tenant industrial property located in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Represented the owner in the $11.5 million refinancing of a multi-tenant retail shopping center located in DeKalb, Illinois.
  • Represented the borrower in the $11 million refinancing of a 300-unit multifamily apartment complex in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
  • Represented a publicly-held REIT in the disposition of multiple outparcel lots at a retail shopping center complex in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • Represented a prominent national developer and property owner in connection with a $48,000,000 loan from a life insurance company secured by a large regional shopping center.
  • Represented a regional multi-family developer and property owner in the acquisition of a market rate apartment property in Southwest Ohio.
  • Represented a large regional property investor and owner in connection with various acquisitions and financings across numerous asset classes.
  • Advised shopping center owner as to shopping center’s prohibited and exclusive uses.
  • Advise a publicly-held REIT on various retail leasing matters, including issues in connection with proposed redevelopments, expansions, exclusive and prohibited uses, and signage rights for properties nationwide.
  • Advise shopping center owner and developer as to potential co-tenancy violations relative to individual tenant requests or potential closures.
  • Advised shopping center owner regarding owner’s intent to expand parking at the shopping center.
  • Advised shopping center owner as to owner’s intent to redevelop certain buildings and areas within the shopping center.
  • Represents a national real estate developer of grocery-anchored shopping centers in various retail leasing matters, including regional and local in-line tenant leases, ground leases, relocation, expansion, and extension agreements, and lease assignments.
  • Represented a medical technology start-up in the negotiation of a sublease for its first office space post-funding.
  • Advised shopping center owner as to anchor tenant’s intent to expand its premises in the shopping center.
  • Represents a publicly-held REIT in various retail leasing matters, including national, regional, and local in-line tenant leases, ground leases, relocation, expansion, and extension agreements, and lease assignments.
  • Represented shopping center owner in negotiations with city water service to supply water and sewer to the shopping center.
  • Advise shopping center owner and developer as to potential violations of its exclusive and prohibited uses relative to individual tenant requests.
  • Represented lender in $5+ million mortgage financing secured by an oil refinery in central Ohio.
  • Counsel to developers of new shopping centers, including a 1.6 million square foot open air shopping center in Lee County, Florida, which included multiple phases and a variety of uses, including retail, entertainment, restaurant and hotel.
  • Counsel to the developer of an 80-acre, mixed-use retail, entertainment and residential project in Hallandale Beach, Florida, integrated with an existing state-of-the-art thoroughbred horse race track with a Vegas-style clubhouse and casino.
  • Representation of a NYSE-listed Mortgage REIT lender in connection with the development of its mortgage and mezzanine lending program and serve as lender’s counsel for construction loans, acquisition loans and refinance transactions throughout the U.S.
  • Representation of lenders in connection with construction financing for urban redevelopment projects, including multiple transactions supported by historic tax credits.
  • Representation of a NYSE-listed REIT in connection with multiple loan transactions, including a $350 million mortgage loan from a national life insurance company, which loan was secured by six shopping centers located in four states and Puerto Rico.
  • Representation of landlords in retail leasing transactions with national, regional and local tenants ranging from anchor tenants to restaurants and other retailers.
  • Counsel to a publicly traded company in connection with the master development of a $2 billion, 1000+ acre site in Connecticut, which project includes a new corporate headquarters for a global manufacturing company.
  • Counsel to private developer of multiple urban mixed-use projects with multi-story apartment projects above street-level retail.
  • Counsel to purchasers and sellers of regional and community shopping centers throughout the United States, including representation of a NYSE-listed REIT in the purchase and sale of numerous shopping center assets throughout the United States.
  • Represented the developer in the acquisition and financing, including a $47+ million construction financing, $12+ million mezzanine financing, Port Authority financing, EB-5 financing and a 1031 exchange.
  • Represented the purchaser in the acquisition of a 104,000+ SF shopping center west of Chicago, Illinois, with a purchase price of approximately $6.7 million, including a 1031 exchange, and the development of a new outparcel.
  • Represented the owner in the $22 million refinancing of a 40+ building multifamily apartment complex in Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Represented the developer in a joint venture and $29+ million construction financing for a 300,000+ SF multifamily apartment development in north Texas.
  • Represented the developer in a joint venture and $30+ million construction financing for a 320,000+ SF multifamily apartment development in Austin, Texas.
  • Represented the developer in a $21+ million construction financing and $8+ million mezzanine financing for the development of a 200 unit multifamily apartment development in Dallas, Texas.
  • Represented the owner in the $4.5 million refinancing of a multi-tenant commercial retail shopping center.
  • Represented the owner in the $26 million refinancing of a 500,000+ SF multi-building multifamily apartment complex in Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Represented the purchaser in the acquisition of a 150 unit multi-building apartment complex in Florida for a purchase price in excess of $7 million, including the assumption of existing HUD indebtedness on the property.
  • Represented the owner in the $6.5+ million refinancing of a high-rise multifamily apartment tower.
  • Represented the owner in the $13+ million refinancing of a 116,000 SF grocery-anchored shopping center in Tennessee.
  • Represented the owner in the $6.8+ million refinancing of a 120+ unit multi-building apartment complex.
  • Represented the developer in a $22+ million construction financing and $7+ million mezzanine financing for the development of a 290+ unit multifamily apartment development in San Antonio, Texas.
  • Represented the investor group in a $11+ million refinance of a shopping center near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
  • Represented the owner in the $10+ million refinancing of a 98,000+ SF grocery-anchored retail shopping center in Massachusetts.
  • Represented the purchaser in the acquisition of a 76,000+ SF shopping center for a purchase price in excess of $4.8 million.
  • Represented the purchaser in the acquisition and Fannie Mae-backed financing of a 150+ unit multi-building apartment complex in Florida for a purchase price in excess of $9 million.
  • Advised multiple borrowers in negotiating new loans and loan refinancings.
  • Negotiated the sale-leaseback of an 180,000 square foot office/warehouse facility.
  • Served as local counsel to borrowers and lenders regarding Ohio loans.
  • Represented a tenant in the leasing of property in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio to be extensively renovated and used as a hostel, the only one of its kind in Northeast Ohio.
  • Advised and assisted a governmental entity in the administration of its various real estate-based economic development loan and grant programs.
  • Represented a Cincinnati-based construction company in connection with the acquisition of a new headquarters building and the simultaneous taking of the company’s existing headquarters building by the State of Ohio through eminent domain.
  • Advised a Port Authority in connection with a real estate due diligence review in anticipation of the Port’s acquisition of a municipal airport.
  • Represented a Cleveland-based construction company in the acquisition of a combined office-warehouse space and the negotiation of financing for the purchase and build-out of such space.
  • Advised a Cleveland-based developer as to its interest in 4,000 acres of land in West Virginia subject to fifty year-old coal leases.
  • Acted as lender's co-counsel in connection with a handful of the 35 sources of funds that were assembled to fund the $272 million initial phase of the Flats East redevelopment project in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Counseled a developer in connection with the redevelopment of an abandoned and dilapidated four story building into a mixed-use space through the leveraging of federal and state historic tax credits.
  • Represented a Northeast Ohio-based community development corporation in the formation of a special improvement district (SID).
  • Represented a publicly-held REIT in the redevelopment of an approximately 1,000,000 square foot outlet mall after the mall was flooded.
  • Represented a private, post-secondary educational institution in multiple sale-leaseback transactions nationwide.
  • Represented an advertising company in digital sign and wallscape lease agreements nationwide.
  • Represented a publicly-held REIT in the acquisition and development of a multi-phased retail development in North Carolina.
  • Represented a publicly-held REIT in the redevelopment of a shopping center involving the relocation and termination of 30 existing leases.
  • Represented a publicly-held REIT in the acquisition and development of a Target anchored shopping center in southern California.
  • Advised a national lending institution in connection with a troubled real estate development loan relating to a proposed mixed-use project.
  • Represented a large national tenant in the negotiation of a 140,000 square foot warehouse lease.
  • Represented a national banking institution with respect to loan workouts involving approximately $100,000,000 of loans secured by distressed real estate assets.
  • Represented a national lending institution in connection with multiple loan workouts involving a real estate loan portfolio comprising approximately $15 million in construction loans and permanent mortgage financing to a borrower and its affiliates, more than ten separate office, warehouse and residential properties and developments, and nearly twenty separate guarantors.
  • Represented large regional developers in connection with leasing of in-line spaces and stand-alone stores at regional lifestyle centers and shopping centers.
  • Represented a real estate investment fund in its acquisition of seven commercial properties in northeast Ohio, with an aggregate purchase price of more than $150 million.
  • Represented a publicly-held REIT in various retail leasing matters, including anchor tenant leases, in-line tenant leases, ground leases, relocation and expansion agreements and lease assignments.
  • Advised clients on purchase and sale of shopping centers and commercial buildings ranging in size from $1 million to $30 million.
  • Advised a large multinational public company on multi-state property acquisitions and divestitures, bringing in local counsel, as appropriate, to ascertain local laws and customs.
  • Negotiated leases for national tenants for retail, restaurant, office and industrial uses in both free standing and in-line projects.
  • Negotiated leases for real estate developers with "big box" tenants, national chains, and local and small tenants.
  • Advised a public company on the sale of more than $100 million in assets.
  • Advised a non-profit company in the $20 million expansion and renovation of its facilities, including negotiating architectural and construction contracts, bond financing and related matters.
  • Advised and negotiated on behalf of national lenders on several construction and permanent loans ranging in size from $1 million to more than $100 million.
  • Represented a regional financial institution in providing multi-million dollar construction loan to a developer for the construction of a mixed-use development.
  • Represented a national financial institution in providing $11 million loan to a developer for construction of a multi-tenant regional shopping center.
  • Advised a health care provider in negotiating construction contracts, construction management contracts, and architectural agreements for a construction-managed project costing more than $15 million.
  • Advised multiple borrowers in connection with loan restructurings, loan workouts and deed-in-lieu transactions.
  • Represented a publicly-held REIT in the assemblage of over 100 acres of vacant land in connection with the development of an 800,000 square foot retail shopping center, and in all aspects of the development phase of the project.
  • Represented seller in sale of parcel within a retail shopping center to a national retailer, which included negotiation of a reciprocal easement agreement and development agreement.
  • Represented buyer in the purchase of a multi-million dollar manufacturing facility.
  • Advised and negotiated on behalf of a non-profit borrower on obtaining tax free bond financing for an assisted living project.
  • Advised multiple lenders with respect to loan workouts, loan restructurings and foreclosures on numerous projects involving mortgages transactions (including leasehold mortgages) in excess of $60,000,000.
  • Represented a real estate developer in a $39 million loan to acquire a warehouse/industrial portfolio.
  • Represented private post-secondary educational institution in long term lease agreements located in class A office buildings nationwide.
  • Represented national developer in multi-phase big box retail development containing over 1,000,000 square feet.
  • Represented a national lender in an approximately $60 million loan default included issues involving leasehold mortgages, bankruptcy and contaminated property.
  • Corporate real estate counsel in connection with the sale, leaseback and redevelopment of their corporate headquarters campus which is part of a planned $900+ million office, retail, and hotel development project.
  • Lender's counsel in connection with a real estate workout involving $100 million of loans secured by distressed assets including loan modification relating to additional collateral, inter-creditor issues and bankruptcy.
  • Managed environmental issues on behalf of a private equity sponsor in its acquisition of the assets of a domestic and international intermodal drayage and transportation logistics company.
  • Negotiated Ground Lease and Operating Lease for expansion property.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest multi-family developers in the acquisition, development, and subsequent sale of property in southern California.
Key Contacts
  • Jeffrey J. Wild
    Real Estate
    Cleveland
  • Jared E. Oakes
    Real Estate
    Cleveland

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  • Construction & Architectural Agreements
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  • Corporate & Securities
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News
May 19, 2025
Partner Laura Sugarman Named Among New York Real Estate Journal’s 2025 Ones to Watch: Industry Leaders
April 10, 2025
Jeffrey J. Wild Mentioned in Cleveland Jewish News Article on Impact of October 7 Events in Israel
April 8, 2025
Benesch Partner Laura Mehl Sugarman Featured in Habitat Magazine on Discrepancies in Condo Common Charges

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