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Michael Lokensgard

Michael J. Lokensgard

Shareholder

Meet Michael

Michael J. Lokensgard is a shareholder in the firm's Corporate and Real Estate Practice Groups in the firm's Appleton office. Mike’s corporate practice centers on financing matters, particularly tax-exempt financing transactions.  Mike has represented hospitals, colleges and universities, secondary schools, and other non-profit organizations in tax-exempt financing transactions.  Mike has also represented borrowers and lenders in both industrial development revenue bonding and in traditional financing transactions.  Mike also counsels businesses and business owners with respect to formation, governance, contracts and mergers and acquisitions. 

Mike's real estate practice emphasizes the development, purchase, sale and leasing of healthcare, office, retail and industrial properties. Highlights of his recent work include the development and leasing of a 175,000 square foot office building, the development, leasing, and financing of a 137,000 square foot industrial freezer, and the development, leasing, and financing of a portfolio of grocery stores throughout Wisconsin.  Mike also has considerable experience with tax-deferred exchanges of real estate, having structured a number of forward, reverse, improvement and multi-property exchanges for clients.  Mike’s recent work also includes several developments utilizing the new “Opportunity Zone” program. 

Mike also regularly represents clients in zoning and land use matters. He has successfully obtained zoning permits and variances for a wide variety of activities, including the siting and construction of telecommunications facilities and non-metallic mining operations.  He also represents both developers and municipalities in the negotiation of development agreements and all other aspects of tax incremental financing transactions.

Prior to joining Godfrey & Kahn, Mike served for over five years as an attorney for a federally-recognized Indian tribe. Mike's practice was devoted to the unique legal issues involving business development and finance in Indian country, including matters relating to Indian gaming, on-reservation real estate development, and the complex jurisdictional relationships among tribal, state and federal governments, principally in the area of environmental law.