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With 18 offices, from New York to Los Angeles and Seattle to Orlando, we live and work in communities all over the U.S., collaborating across locations, disciplines and even borders. Our experienced, highly ranked lawyers serve businesses wherever they are and wherever they want to go.

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Am Law 100 firm with practices in Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Litigation and Tax.

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John Carney Chairs and Speaks, Jimmy Fokas Speaks at PLI Basics of Accounting for Lawyers 2025

Webinar Series: Transforming Legacy Management Experience

Rebecca Schrote Presents on APEX Depositions at Columbus Bar Association CLE Session

To Help the New Administration Help Your Industry, You Need an Agency Strategy (Real Estate Finance Journal)

Michelle coordinates and manages all due diligence when it comes to commercial real estate transactions, including title review, environmental assessments, surveys and property documentation. With a critical eye for detail, Michelle always goes above and beyond for clients, seeking creative solutions, positive outcomes and the best resolutions possible.

core/freeform

J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 2013, 

B.S., University of Findlay, 2010

<ul>
<li>Ladder Down Cleveland Graduate (2024)</li>
<li>Greater Akron Chamber: &#8220;30 for the Future&#8221; (2020)</li>
<li>Leadership Medina County Excellence in Leadership Awards: Emerging Leader Nominee (2020)</li>
<li>Ohio Super Lawyers &#8220;Rising Star&#8221; (2020 to 2023)</li>
<li>Leadership Medina County Signature Class Graduate (2018)</li>
<li>Medina Women of our Community and ATHENA Awards: Young Professional Nominee (2016)</li>
<li>Wadsworth Chamber of Commerce Rosie Awards: Young Professional of the Year Nominee (2015, 2016)</li>
</ul>


Cleveland

BakerHostetler Elevates 24 Attorneys to Firm Partnership

BakerHostetler guides client to $700 million financial closing for tech-forward steel recycling mill

Real Estate Finance

Real Estate Transactions

Real Estate

Business

Affordable Housing

Community Development

<ul>
<li>Led the real estate team in the firm’s representation of a leading accounting, insurance brokerage, financial and advisory services provider in the acquisition of a national accounting and advisory firm &#8211; a deal valued at approximately $2.3 billion, including managing the review and analysis of real property diligence for 40+ leased locations.</li>
<li>Member of the real estate team in the representation of a scrap metal recycling steel rebar mill and its affiliates in acquiring real property and obtaining financing for the development of a $700 million sustainable scrap metal recycling steel rebar mill.</li>
<li>Led the real estate team in the firm’s representation of a Nasdaq-listed ticket exchange and resale company in its acquisition of an online travel agency.</li>
<li>Represents a national restaurant franchise in real property acquisitions and ground leases across the U.S., including drafting and negotiating ground leases and purchase agreements, analyzing due diligence, resolving complex title matters, drafting easements and use agreements, and coordinating closings.</li>
<li>Represents an insurance brokerage and consultancy services firm in managing its nationwide real estate portfolio, including drafting and negotiating leases, subleases, amendments, extensions and terminations.</li>
<li>Represents a private business jet charter and aircraft management company in connection with its nationwide real estate portfolio, including drafting and negotiating master leases, ground leases and subleases.</li>
<li>Represents lenders in connection with commercial loans secured by mortgages on real property, including drafting loan documents, reviewing and analyzing due diligence and resolving complex title and survey matters.</li>
<li>Leads real estate diligence for private equity clients and other business entities in connection with mergers and acquisitions in a range of industries, including restaurants, manufacturing, food, software, financial services and other business services.</li>
<li>Resolves complex title and survey matters with creative solutions to minimize risk to clients.</li>
<li>Negotiates commercial real estate purchase agreements for a number of individuals and business entities to maximize interests and reduce risks on behalf of the client.</li>
<li>Coordinates and analyzes due diligence activities in connection with commercial real estate transactions of all sizes, including the review and analysis of title, survey, zoning, environmental and building condition.</li>
<li>Negotiates leases, subleases, subordination agreements, estoppel certificates and other documents and agreements on behalf of commercial landlords and tenants.</li>
<li>Coordinates and drafts organizational documents and closing documents on behalf of business clients for commercial real estate transactions.</li>
<li>Strategizes and coordinates real property diligence for multifamily HUD/LIHTC transactions on behalf of borrowers.</li>
<li>Strategizes and coordinates 1031 exchange transactions.</li>
<li>Drafts loan documentation and reviews and analyzes real property diligence on behalf of lenders for secured transactions.</li>
</ul>


Michelle R. Reese

Michelle R. Reese

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