Do you believe you have to use a larger firm to handle your matter in order to get the other side to “blink” or because you are afraid that the other side will “paperwork” your attorney to death? Well, think again. Here is a very partial list of transactions that I have handled as a solo practitioner or with very little additional assistance.
Handled from inception a new to-be-built project containing two 240,000 square foot office buildings (only Phase I was built), 50,000 square feet of retail, a 216 room hotel and related parking. This included representation in acquiring the land from a major oil company, negotiating with hotel companies, architects, engineers and contractors, and negotiating the construction financing with Bank of America. The office building is now the headquarters of a major NYSE company. The hotel was sold in 2017 for $54,100,000.
Represented the shareholders of a corporation and its subsidiaries in connection with the acquisition of its stock by a NYSE financial institution in a transaction involving very complex securities, tax and accounting issues. The purchase price with potential earnouts and other compensation was over $100,000,000. I handled the matter as a solo practitioner while the acquiring company was represented by two international law firms, a large in-house legal department and two “big 8” (at the time) accounting firms.
Represented owners, developers architects, engineers, contractors and managers on projects including single family houses (some in excess of $10,000,000), large housing tracts (some over 100 lots), apartments and condominiums (some over 100 units), office buildings (many over 100,000 square feet), industrial buildings (many over 100,000 square feet) and industrial parks (up to 1,000,000 square feet), shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, swap meets, gas stations, car washes, farms and sports facilities.
Negotiated tens of millions of square feet of industrial leases on behalf of industrial landlords and tenants including a 323,000 square foot build to suit on behalf of a publically traded logistics company, and many other leases in excess of 100,000 square feet.
Handled condominium projects from 2 to over 100 units, including planning and structuring the FIRST mixed use condominium project approved by the California Department of Real Estate (residential condominium units and apartments over a sports facility). This was accomplished after two major law firms told the client that it could not be done.
Represented a publicly traded clothing retailer in the acquisition of a build to suit 168,000 square foot distribution center.
Represented the buyer of a 115,000 square foot “big box” retailer in a reverse exchange with the assumption of a conduit loan.
Negotiated and documented an 87,000 square foot build to suit lease for a major national advertising company that transformed a local area from industrial to one of the most sought after creative office use areas.
Represented the ground lessor in what was then the first large apartment project constructed in Beverly Hills in twenty years.
Negotiated leases for national retailers on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills with some of the highest retail rental rates in America.
Represented lenders and borrowers in construction and permanent financing, and factoring, including loan negotiations, restructurings, loan purchases and sales and defeasances.
Negotiated, structured and implemented numerous §1031 tax deferred exchanges (including reverse exchanges and “drop and swap” issues).
Negotiated, structured and implemented numerous §1033 involuntary conversion and eminent domain matters with governmental agencies.
Negotiated with governmental agencies on Owner Participation Agreements and
Disposition and Development Agreements.
Represented numerous registered investment advisors and syndicators in acquiring, financing and documenting (including preparation of private placement memoranda, subscription agreements and securities filings) investment real estate transactions including multi-family, office and commercial properties, as well as syndications involving art funds and mortgage pools.
Represented the trust real estate department of a major bank.
Assisted in organizing the Southern California offices of a major national commercial real estate broker and represented several commercial and industrial real estate brokerage firms.
Represented a publicly traded distribution company on real estate matters and business acquisitions.
Represented various manufacturing, distribution, service and professional businesses in business acquisitions or sales of their businesses.
Obtained a very rare (and one of the earliest) confidential filing from the California Department of Corporations involving a famous rock group and a highly confidential entertainment industry merger.
Represented numerous visual artists, art publishers and art galleries.
Represented a potential buyer (ultimately unsuccessful) of a major sports franchise.
Represented billionaires, celebrity artists and “A List” celebrities (and their business managers and agents) discreetly and with total confidentiality.
Acted as an arbitrator in many attorney/client fee disputes for the Los Angeles County Bar Association and acted a mediator / counselor in numerous disputes among members of real estate holding families. I am a former member of the California State Bar Ethics Committee and personally represented a State Bar Court judge.
Represented numerous non-profit agencies and charities, some on a pro bono basis.
Coordinated with co-counsel on major litigation, environmental, municipal, tax, estate planning, bankruptcy, family law and labor matters.