Godfrey & Kahn's Real Estate Practice Group is in the center of real estate activity in Wisconsin.
Our clients include businesses, financial institutions, developers, contractors, construction managers, brokers and others who need legal experience with real estate matters. The firm's philosophy stresses that attorneys should serve as business advisors and provide practical business strategies and solutions. Because of this, the Real Estate Practice Group has the requisite legal skill and business experience to ensure that our clients' real estate holdings are strategically employed to serve our clients' needs.
A review of the team's specific real estate services demonstrates broad experience, particularly in the areas of acquisition, sale, leasing, finance and development of real estate. In addition, because real estate investments involve many other legal disciplines, the real estate team works closely with related practice groups within the firm to ensure that our clients receive integrated service in an efficient manner.
Within the state of Wisconsin, the real estate team is uniquely situated to deal with the inherently local nature of real estate transactions. The real estate team works closely with local governmental agencies, contractors and developers throughout Wisconsin. Our attorneys, through years of diligent collaboration with governmental units and real estate professionals, provide a knowledge and background to our clients that is unique to their needs and the laws of our state.
However, our experience is not limited to the confines of Wisconsin's borders. Because our clients have real estate holdings throughout the country, our attorneys understand the challenge of working within various jurisdictions and also appreciate the value of working collaboratively with real estate professionals in other states to provide efficient client service.
Capital Formation/Joint Ventures
We organize and negotiate agreements relating to the formation of general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies and joint ventures. We also work with the firm's Securities Practice Group to assist developers and syndicators in raising equity funds and with securities law compliance.
Condemnation
Our real estate attorneys have knowledge of the complex laws and regulations involving condemnation of real estate. We have experience in assisting statewide utility companies and governmental entities to obtain real estate for public needs. We represent landowners in seeking appropriate compensation for their real estate when faced with a condemnation proceeding.
Condominiums
We represent developers and owners in all stages of condominium development or conversion, including the preparation of commercial and residential condominium declarations, by-laws, articles of incorporation and related documentation, as well as interactions with governmental agencies and lenders to obtain necessary approvals and financing.
Development
Local, regional and national developers look to us to provide turnkey legal services for their development projects from site selection through occupancy, including due diligence review, acquisition of vacant land, negotiation of design and construction agreements, acquisition of construction, and permanent financing and negotiation of leases for space in the improved project. Real Estate Practice Group attorneys regularly assist clients in the negotiation of joint ventures to raise equity for development projects, advise clients on zoning and other land use and regulatory matters, and negotiate development agreements with governmental authorities for public/private developments.
Finance
Our attorneys counsel borrowers, banks, mortgage companies, life insurance companies and other financial institutions in construction and permanent mortgage loan financings. These transactions include revolving credit facilities for phased land improvements, multi-tenant apartment buildings and condominiums; construction loans for office, retail, and industrial developments; leasehold mortgages; and permanent loans for all phases of commercial real estate projects.
Government Assisted Financing/HUD/Tax Credits
We counsel clients on matters relating to Tax Incremental Financing Districts, Enterprise Development Zone tax credits and other private/public development projects. Members of the practice group assist developers, owners and investors in HUD projects and counsel clients in obtaining and transferring low income rental housing tax credits, historic rehabilitation tax credits and new market tax credits.
Land Use Regulations and Zoning
We assist clients with appearances at public hearings, negotiations with local officials and related services in obtaining various land use regulatory approvals, including variances, conditional use permits and zoning applications. In addition, our team has extensive experience in negotiating land divisions with municipalities, including subdivision and certified survey maps, and the requisite public improvements and developer's agreement that may be required by the municipality.
Leasing
We represent national, regional and local landlords and tenants in all aspects of commercial leasing, including office, retail and industrial properties. Our attorneys have extensive experience in negotiating and structuring complex commercial leases and are well versed in the business aspects of the commercial lease transaction. We also represent a number of commercial real estate brokers and property management companies.
Purchases & Sales
The Real Estate Practice Group represents buyers and sellers in all aspects of purchasing and selling real estate, including negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, review of title insurance, surveys, environmental reports and other due diligence items, negotiation of easements, and preparation and review of closing documents. Our attorneys have extensive experience coordinating multisite and multistate transactions, as well as other complex transactional matters such as the disposition of distressed real estate out of bankruptcy, Brownfield redevelopment and tax-deferred exchanges. By following a multidisciplinary approach to transactions, we can assist clients in identifying potential problems early in the process and recommend appropriate solutions.
Tax Strategies
Real estate holdings often require the implementation of complex, sophisticated tax-planning strategies. These strategies often include the effective implementation of tax-free exchanges; the proper use of charitable contributions of real estate through conservation easements and other charitable vehicles; and the proper reporting of income, loss, gain and depreciation. Members of the Real Estate Practice Group and Tax Practice Group work closely to develop effective tax planning strategies that meet the needs of our clients.
Workouts, Foreclosures & Receiverships
Our attorneys represent landlords, owners and lenders in workouts, forbearance agreements and commercial foreclosures, and assist receivers in the management of troubled real estate holdings.In addition, the Real Estate Practice Group works closely with the firm's Business, Finance, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Bankruptcy Practice Group in a variety of situations where the complexities of the bankruptcy code may affect our clients' real estate interests.