Real Estate & Construction

When clients need to select a vehicle, such as a partnership or a limited liability company, to own real estate, we assist them in making the most beneficial choice. Our real estate attorneys also routinely help buyers and sellers structure, negotiate, document and close real estate transactions.

Condominiums are an important type of property ownership, both for developers and buyers. The development of condominiums, ownership structure, and operation are regulated by statute and affected by numerous court decisions. Our work involves formation of residential, commercial and mixed use projects, condominium conversions, and construction defects. In short, we are involved in all facets of condominium work for owners, developers, and associations, from formation, to financing, to repair.

We represent public and owners, as well as design professionals and contractors. We are also skilled at anticipating and providing creative solutions to problems common in both new construction and remodeling projects.

The nature of the projects we are involved with range from small home remodels to multimillion dollar residential/commercial developments; small medical center remodels to entire new hospitals; small city sewer projects to new community transit centers; and small roof leaks to major construction defects.

Our range of services include:

• Advice during planning and development phases
• Preparation of Owner/Design Professional and Owner/Contractor agreements
• Preparation of bidding documents
• Assistance with change order analysis and project close-out issues
• Claim analysis and resolution through mediation, arbitration or litigation
• Lien preparation, filing and defense

We are particularly proud of our ability to creatively solve difficult issues and of our successful use of alternate dispute resolution to settle both large and small construction related claims. By selective use of mediation and neutral evaluation, we have been able to resolve many disputes quickly and relatively inexpensively. We have also been able to achieve positive results for disputes that could only be resolved through litigation or arbitration.

We help lenders and borrowers structure and document loan transactions. Our experience includes construction and permanent financing, refinancing, conduit lending, limited liability company and partnership agreements, and other security arrangements.

We advise developers and other clients about planning, environmental issues, easements and covenants, conditions and restrictions.

On behalf of landlords, property owners, tenants and property managers, we negotiate and draft leases for all types of commercial, office, industrial and residential projects. Our experience includes everything from office and residential leases to build-to-suit and out-parcel tenant leases.

Legal disputes don't come neatly packaged. Fortunately, many can be settled before a lawsuit or other formal proceeding begins; others however, may require a trial for resolution.

When a client comes to us with a dispute, we listen carefully to all the details. We then evaluate our client's position and make recommendations for a resolution consistent with his or her goals. We take a practical, common sense approach to such matters, and explore all avenues possible to assist and better protect our clients.

Click here for more information on our Litigation Practice

We have a long history of service to the title insurance industry, and have successfully defended our title company clients in many actions from coverage issues to bad faith claims.