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CONSTRUCTION

The attorneys serving our clients in the construction industry have vast experience advising on all phases of construction projects. With coast-to-coast reach, our interdisciplinary team understands the nuances of the construction industry.

Our team includes transactional and litigation attorneys who counsel construction clients on the entire span of a project. We work closely with our clients to achieve their goals while navigating the complex legal challenges that often arise in this space. 

We are well positioned to advise clients on all aspects of project development from land acquisition, design, development and construction issues to contract negotiation, claims advice, litigation, and all issues and opportunities in between.

Our team represents clients at every level of the privity chain relative to transactional needs including project owners, lenders, developers, general contractors, architects, engineers and specialty subcontractors and suppliers.

We have a depth of experience litigating delay and acceleration claims, scope disputes, lien and payment issues, defect claims and bid disputes.

Our construction team collaborates with lawyers across practices to support the needs of our construction clients, including those in development, business litigation, real estate, zoning and land use, corporate, bankruptcy, environmental law, and commercial finance.

Owner/developer representation

We are the primary counsel for the project developer for a $76.5 million mixed-use development in Illinois. The project, known as "The Bend" for its location on a curve of the Mississippi, will include a new hotel, 324 multi-family units, an assisted living facility, a public park, two restaurants, and four retail sites.

Advised the owner-operator of an assisted living facility on the $70 million redevelopment of the facility. (2016)

Represented the developer of new $70 million mixed-use development in St. Louis with a major national retailer, apartments and a parking garage. (2016)

Represented a co-manager in connection with a $56.5 million construction loan for the development of an industrial facility, including extensive negotiation of a guaranty liability for the benefit of our clients, who had only a small interest in the borrower entity. (2015)

Represented the buyer-developer in the acquisition of a property and the negotiation and closing of a $50.8 million construction loan for a new student housing facility at a public university in Ohio. (2015)

Represented an equity group in a $31.2 million construction loan for a proposed six-story, 110-unit, 428-student housing development at an Illinois university, including retail and an amenity complex. (2016)

Led the negotiation of a $20 million build-to-suit lease for the new corporate headquarters of a major agricultural banking entity. The transaction involved the negotiation of a Chapter 100 lease with the county, pursuant to which the landlord will receive certain tax abatement which will be passed on to the client in the form of reduced additional rent. (2015)

Lender representation

Represented the lender in an acquisition and construction loan that totaled almost $83 million. Representation included drafting loan documents, reviewing due diligence items and closing the three transactions. (2016)

Represented the lender in a series of loans totaling $69.1 million for the acquisition and construction of supportive and assisted living facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin. (2015)

Represented a bank in a $58 million construction loan for the acquisition and development of 5.8 acres in San Jose, Calif., for a 90,000-square-foot building for a federal agency. (2016)

Represented the lender in a $28.3 million construction loan for the development of two parcels of prime real estate in downtown Clayton. The borrower is developing a $41 million, six-story, 210,000-square-foot-building that would include 120 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 13,500 square feet of street-level retail and 145 below-grade parking spaces. Additionally, the property is part of a CID (Community Improvement District). (2015)

Represented the lender in a $25.2 million construction loan for the development of a building in a high-tech corridor in the City of St. Louis. The loan was secured partially by real estate and TIF revenue generated by a newly constructed retailer located in the same TIF district. (2015)

Represented the lender in a $6.5 million acquisition and construction loan to acquire and rehabilitate an existing supportive living facility in Northern Illinois. We closed in a tight timeframe and were able to work with the property owner, seller and property operator on mutually agreeable documentation on all facets of this transaction, including the subordination of seller financing. (2016)

Represented the lender in a $6.8 million construction loan for rehabilitation of an office building in downtown Milwaukee. We collaborated with borrower and developed mutually agreeable resolutions for retrofitting an office building for use by a medical provider. (2016)

Multi-Family

Represented the developer of a $66 million apartment complex project in the City of St. Louis. (2016)

Represented a lender with respect to a $12 million construction loan for the construction of an 80-unit affordable housing apartment complex in Southern Illinois. (2016)

Represented the lender in a $19.7 million construction loan for a 225-unit multifamily development located in Sioux City, Iowa. The project was unique because the borrower qualified for two Iowa tax incentives, the Iowa State Workforce Housing Tax Credit and a 10-year partial property tax abatement. (2015)

Represented a national financial institution in a $24.9 million construction loan to the developer of an 80-unit transit-oriented low income housing project in Los Angeles. (2015)

Represented the lender in a $22 million construction loan for the construction of a 164-unit low-income multi-family apartment complex in New Orleans secured in part by federal low income housing tax credits. (2015)

Represented the lender in a $6.3 million construction and permanent loan for the construction of a 77-unit low income multi-family apartment complex in St. Louis secured in part by federal low-income housing tax credits. (2015)

Blog Posts

Get It Right The First Time: The Implications of Recording a Defective Lis Pendens

Be careful what you wish for: Using a license instead of a lease may preclude the use of California’s summary eviction procedure

Commercial landlords should add a waiver of Civil Code Section 1950.7

Publications

Sheetz v. County of El Dorado, California Could be Game Changer for Development Impact Fees

Update to Chicago Zoning Rules Streamlines Approval Timeline

Recent amendments to Illinois’ Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program provide clarity for investors

‘Waters of the United States’ rule from EPA, Corps may make real estate development more easily achievable and less costly

Uh-oh, y’all: EPA’s action against ‘Fixer Upper’ stresses importance of lead paint rules

Could graffiti art prevent your redevelopment project?

5 points to remember before relying on the EPA’s new NSR guidance on projected future emissions

The hidden exposure of tenant estoppels and SNDAs

Key issues in negotiating financeable ground leases

Chicago lifts limits on efficiency units close to transit

A reminder about changes to tenant security deposits in Missouri

Due diligence checklist for commercial real estate acquisitions

Public contracting requirements: Not just for ‘traditional’ government contractors

Construction due diligence: Sooner is always better than later

Supreme Court overturns EPA’s 'Tailoring Rule,' upholds GHG BACT for 'anyway' sources

Partner
New York

John draws on his more than 30 years of litigation experience to represent a wide variety of clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts.

John draws on his more than 30 years of litigation experience to represent ...

John Amato
Partner
St. Louis

Douglas ("Dugie") is a real estate and corporate practitioner and strategist who assists clients with a wide range of transactions.

Douglas ("Dugie") is a real estate and corporate practitioner and strategis...

Douglas Baron
Partner
Chicago

Christina Berish is a deeply valued resource to clients as they interpret and enforce agreements.

Christina Berish is a deeply valued resource to clients as they interpret a...

Christina Berish
Partner
Chicago

Tina Bird has extensive experience on a national level representing major clients in business, construction and real estate.

Tina Bird has extensive experience on a national level representing major c...

Tina Bird
Senior Counsel
St. Louis

Mary has spent her  40-year career representing major corporations in high-stakes trials and arbitrations.

Mary has spent her  40-year career representing major corporations in ...

Mary Bonacorsi
Partner
Los Angeles

A senior litigator with more than 30 years of experience, Jeff Brown develops and executes highly effective litigation strategies for clients facing all types of complex ...

A senior litigator with more than 30 years of experience, Jeff Brown develo...

Jeff Brown
Partner
St. Louis

Matt is a highly dedicated legal advisor who provides guidance to clients on complex data center and real estate transactions.

Matt is a highly dedicated legal advisor who provides guidance to clients o...

Matt Buesching
Partner
St. Louis

Hap represents developers, lenders and businesses in real estate matters and transactions across the country.

Hap represents developers, lenders and businesses in real estate matters an...

Hap Burke
Partner
Chicago

Bernie represents developers, land owners and building owners in the areas of land use and municipal law in the city of Chicago and its surrounding municipalities.

Bernie represents developers, land owners and building owners in the areas ...

Bernie Citron
Counsel
St. Louis

Laura represents clients in a variety of real estate transactions and financings.

Laura represents clients in a variety of real estate transactions and finan...

Laura Corcoran
Partner
Chicago

With over 30 years of experience, Walter serves a diverse group of clients in the acquisition, development and sale of commercial, industrial and residential properties f...

With over 30 years of experience, Walter serves a diverse group of clients ...

Walter Cupkovic
Partner
St. Louis

David is a lead trial lawyer with a track record of success across a diverse array of claims, including various types of construction and real estate disputes, business t...

David is a lead trial lawyer with a track record of success across a divers...

David Dick
Partner
St. Louis

Jim is an experienced real estate strategist and negotiator who counsels companies on a broad range of real estate matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, develo...

Jim is an experienced real estate strategist and negotiator who counsels ...

Jim Dillon
Senior Counsel
St. Louis

Dan serves as a practical, imminently accessible legal advisor to developers, institutional owners and corporate users of commercial and industrial real estate throughout...

Dan serves as a practical, imminently accessible legal advisor to developer...

Dan Engle
Partner
New York

Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in major commercial disputes, with a particular focus in lender liability cases, fraud-based invest...

Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in m...

Steven Mandelsberg
Partner
Chicago

Katriina helps clients navigate challenging land use and zoning issues throughout the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs, paving the way for successful developments.

Katriina helps clients navigate challenging land use and zoning issues thro...

Katriina McGuire
Partner
New York

Consistently recognized for his dynamic, passionate, and resolute approach, Zachary delivers practical, tactical, and experienced advice to a diverse clientele that inclu...

Consistently recognized for his dynamic, passionate, and resolute approach,...

Zachary Newman
Counsel
Chicago

Daniel represents a diverse client base in a broad range of real estate matters, including the development, financing, leasing, acquisition and sale of commercial real es...

Daniel represents a diverse client base in a broad range of real estate mat...

Daniel North
Partner
Chicago

Jack Parrino represents clients engaging in real estate and construction matters by stepping into the deal from his client's perspective to offer trusted, practical advic...

Jack Parrino represents clients engaging in real estate and construction ma...

Jack Parrino
Partner
Chicago

Gary uses his extensive real estate background to help developers and investors piece together their real estate projects from start to finish.

Gary uses his extensive real estate background to help developers and inves...

Gary Plotnick
Partner
St. Louis

Jennifer is an experienced real estate attorney who provides guidance on a variety of complicated real estate transactions, including purchase and sales, leasing, financi...

Jennifer is an experienced real estate attorney who provides guidance on a ...

Jennifer Price
Partner
St. Louis

Debbie represents public entities, investment bankers, banks and developers in all types of public finance and development incentive transactions.

Debbie represents public entities, investment bankers, banks and developers...

Debbie Rush
Partner
Los Angeles

Barry serves as a corporate strategist and outside general counsel to small- to mid-sized companies, as well as their principals, in a variety of industries.

Barry serves as a corporate strategist and outside general counsel to small...

Barry Weisz