Practice Strengths

Real Estate Asset Program

Our Real Estate Asset Program (REAP) lawyers assist businesses through the evaluation of their real estate and facility portfolios -- to identify ways to gain fiscal, management and financial value. Additionally, we assist businesses in managing their real estate holdings so the companies can focus on core business objectives. Our goal is to convert real estate holdings from a liability to a performing asset.

Asset Program
Although some business entities view real estate as ancillary to their core businesses or as an inevitable expense, innovative management of corporate property and facilities poses tremendous real impact opportunities for both cost savings and core industry advantage. We can assist in lease negotiations, corporate relocations, acquisitions, dispositions, financings, tax incentives and many other creative ways to create value.

Portfolio Evaluation
Our experience has revealed that many companies decentralize the treatment of real estate assets due to its transactional and regional nature leading to missed opportunities. Our REAP lawyers evaluate your portfolio as a whole, considering lease arrangements, occupancy, excess space, locations, tax and environmental considerations.

Our recommendations have included creative methods for maximizing property use, alternative ownership structures, and the utilization of tax incentives and abatement programs.

Portfolio Management and Advisory Services
We can function as your global real estate portfolio advisor and manager, through our comprehensive experience and multi-office locations. The REAP team comprises lawyers from our multi-disciplinary practice areas, including real estate, tax, environmental, litigation and estate planning. We will offer strategic planning for your real estate operating structure and process, and counsel you in assessing excess properties and coordinate the disposition of the same. Our preferred provider relationships make us a leader in outsourcing management.

Real Estate Holdings
Our team can assist you in most aspects of owning, leasing and financing your headquarters, multi-locations, distribution facilities and/or production centers.  Our multi-office practice covers most locales within the United States, offering centralized service.

Our goal is to be the single source for your real estate portfolio management needs.

Leadership in Action
Real Estate Finance: Achieving advantages in connection with relocation of distribution facility
Client: National mail order produce supplier
Type of Matter: Real Estate Finance
Our Client's Challenge:  Secure development grants and favorable tax treatment in connection with relocation of regional distribution facility
The Goal:  Negotiate with Ohio Department of Development to achieve client's goals.
Our Strategy:  On the ground meetings and creation of competition between potential sites.
Results: Ohio Department of Development low-interest loan, job creation tax credits, training grants, equipment grants and 75%, ten-year personal property tax abatement and 100%, fifteen-year real property tax abatement and establishment of local enterprise zone for $40 million refrigerated distribution facility.
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About Our Real Estate Team

Baker Hostetler's Real Estate team has a history of getting projects developed and deals done. Our firm has the multidisciplinary strengths to solve all the complex contractual, environmental and tax problems that can arise in single-use or multi-use developments. We regularly work on multimillion dollar projects, and our team includes lawyers recognized by their peers as being at the top of their game.
Leadership in Action
Real Estate Finance: Achieving advantages in connection with relocation of distribution facility
Client: National mail order produce supplier
Type of Matter: Real Estate Finance
Our Client's Challenge:  Secure development grants and favorable tax treatment in connection with relocation of regional distribution facility
The Goal:  Negotiate with Ohio Department of Development to achieve client's goals.
Our Strategy:  On the ground meetings and creation of competition between potential sites.
Results: Ohio Department of Development low-interest loan, job creation tax credits, training grants, equipment grants and 75%, ten-year personal property tax abatement and 100%, fifteen-year real property tax abatement and establishment of local enterprise zone for $40 million refrigerated distribution facility.

Leadership in Action
Real Estate Finance: Achieving tax and business advantages in connection with creative financing vehicle
Client: Fortune 500 Distributor
Type of Matter: Real Estate Finance
Our Client's Challenge:  Secure off-balance sheet accounting/tax treatment in connection with portfolio of distribution facilities.
The Goal:  Achieve preferential accounting treatment and asset flexibility within regulated financing constraints.
Our Strategy:  Multidisciplinary approach in partnership with Big 4 accounting firm.
Results: Closed synthetic lease financing of warehouse/distribution centers and administrative centers nationwide which included site acquisition, contract negotiation, due diligence reviews, and documentation for compliance with tax and accounting guidelines. Client has realized the benefits of "off-balance sheet" accounting treatment while retaining development control and the tax benefits of property ownership.


Real Estate—Real Estate Asset Program Lawyers
Gary M. Alletag Partner
Houston 713.646.1356
Michael D. Bridges Partner
Columbus 614.462.4775
Alberto S. Bustamante III Partner
Orlando 407.540.7900
David L. Evans Jr. Associate
Orlando 407.649.4078
Andrew M. Fisher Associate
Orlando 407.540.7932
Richard T. Fulton Partner
Orlando 407.649.4005
Robert H. Gebaide Partner
Orlando 407.649.4059
Kurt P. Gruber Partner
Orlando 407.649.4042
Elaine A. Hutchins Partner
Cleveland 216.861.7937
Victoria L. Johnson Counsel
Cleveland 216.861.7375
James M. King Partner
Denver 303.764.4087
Lawrence V. Lindberg Partner
Cleveland 216.861.7483
James R. Mitchell Of Counsel
Orlando 407.649.4688
Patricia J. O'Donnell Partner
Cleveland 216.861.7647
David W. Oigarden Associate
Orlando 407.540.7934
Rosemary O'Shea Partner
Orlando 407.649.4006
Michael J. Pappert Partner
Houston 713.646.1371
Jessica M. Parker Associate
Orlando 407.649.4683
Patrick J. Pauken Partner
Cleveland 216.861.7289
Karen Ward Procell Of Counsel
Orlando 407.649.4098
Harlan W. Robins Partner
Columbus 614.462.2665
Andrea C. Wall Partner
Cleveland 216.861.7985
Robert J. Webb, RRP Partner
Orlando 407.649.4060
For more information about our real estate practice:

National Contact

Harlan W. Robins

614.462.2665 

Chicago
Ronald S. Okada 312.416.6210
Cincinnati
Eric J. Geppert 513.929.3405
Cleveland
Elaine A. Hutchins 216.861.7937

Columbus

Harlan W. Robins

614.462.2665 
Costa Mesa
George T. Mooradian 714.966.8800
Denver
Joel A. Mayo 303.764.4108

Houston
Michael Pappert 713.646.1371

Los Angeles
Bruce R. Greene 310.442.8834
New York
Andrew M. Drogen 212.589.4292
Orlando
Jeffrey E. Decker 407.649.4017
Washington, DC
William J. Conti 202.861.1726

Contact

National Contact
Harlan W. Robins
614.462.2665


Contacts by Office »

Representative Clients

Health Alliance

Hyatt Hotels

The E.W. Scripps Company

Practice Highlights

A team of nearly 50 real estate lawyers throughout the United States.

Nationally recognized for our experience in real estate syndication and securitization.

Manage leasing programs for clients on a nationwide basis.