Industries & Practices

Real Estate

We are an integrated team offering full-service real estate solutions nationwide.

From acquisition, financing and development to investment, leasing and sales, our team assists in all aspects of real estate transactions. First established in the 1940s, our firm’s real estate capability has expanded nationally. In fact, we have participated in transactions in nearly every state in the country.

Types of clients we represent:

Banks and financial institutions
Commercial and residential property owners and developers
Health care systems and hospitals
Local and state governmental entities and agencies
Telecommunication companies
Oil and gas companies
Electric generation companies
Hotel owners and developers

Examples of the services we offer:

Comprehensive drafting of transaction documents
Thorough due diligence
Distressed loan workout and collection
Negotiating the purchase and sale of equity interests
Debt and equity financing
Partnerships and joint ventures
Zoning
Annexation
Negotiating governmental development incentives and funding sources
Land subdivision
Wetlands and other environmental permitting
Advise asset management and loan services

"Bricker & Eckler’s real estate team is not only one of the best groups in Columbus, but their knowledge of the lending environment and how this impacts real estate negotiation is the main reason why this firm is our go-to firm for outside legal services."

Bricker client as quoted in Best Lawyers, 2018

"The lawyers at Bricker & Eckler are truly professionals in the world of real estate transactions. They are my go-to firm for complex transactions."

Bricker client as quoted in Best Lawyers, 2018

"Bricker & Eckler's commercial real estate group is the best I have worked with over the past 13 years. They are fair in their dealings and price and are willing to go the extra mile to both facilitate and educate our bank members and our clients."

Bricker client as quoted in Best Lawyers, 2018

LIHTC project involving historic tax credits

Represented a national bank in connection with a construction loan for a nine-percent low-income housing tax credit transaction for an affordable housing project located in Dayton, Ohio. The projec...

Out of state purchase agreement

Served as local developer’s counsel in connection with the acquisition of an out-of-state property.

School district expansion

Represented a school district in the acquisition of property for the construction of a new school campus.

Acquisition and demolition of derelict property

Represented a hospital system in acquiring a portion of derelict land from the seller and prepared an agreement for the demolition of a building located on both the client and sellers’ proper...

Acquisition of new headquarters

Represented a nonprofit organization in the acquisition of its new headquarters.

Acquisition of ice cream establishment

Assisted local fast-food chain owner in connection with the acquisition of an ice cream establishment.

$6.5 million construction and $1 million AHP LIHTC...

Represented a lender in connection with a low-income housing tax credit construction for an affordabl...

Rural development 538 LIHTC project

Represented a lender in connection with financing a low-income housing tax credit project in Michigan.

$38 million LIHTC project

Represented a lender in regard to financing a $38 million low-income housing tax credit project in Washington D.C.

Tax credit transactions across multiple jurisdicti...

Represented a lender in connection with new market tax credit transactions across multiple jurisdictions, including Georgia, Ohio and Nebraska.

David K. Conrad Columbus

Areas of Focus

Lending

We maintain a sophisticated, high-volume commercial lending practice, representing numerous commercial mortgage lenders throughout Ohio and the U.S. Understanding the complex documentation and procedural requirements, our real estate attorneys and paralegals are skilled in handling a variety of loan types and capital transactions and take a solution-based approach to the loan documentation and closing process.

Property Acquisition & Development

Working cooperatively with both public and private entities, our firm handles a wide range of development projects from all sides of the transaction. Whether approached with finance, construction, zoning, environmental or tax questions, we build creative solutions around issues that may arise while obtaining property or throughout the development process.

Tax Credits

From eligibility requirements to financing options to compliance, our commercial finance and development attorneys help clients implement a variety of financing tools, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), historic tax credits, various U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financing programs, Rural Development 538 guaranteed financing, Rural Development 515 financing, various state housing agency financing programs and more. We advise on the real estate, lending, land, investment, compliance and tax implications surrounding these unique financing options.

Hotels & Hospitality

We represent our clients in the acquisition, financing, development, ownership and disposition of real estate assets within the hospitality industry. Our attorneys also assist with day-to-day asset management of hospitality projects and servicing of loans secured by hospitality assets.

Business Formation & Structuring

We help clients form entities to own and invest in real estate assets. This includes the drafting and negotiation of partnership agreements, any equity investments and all types of real estate transactions.

Leasing

Our attorneys have represented public and private entities in countless retail, restaurant, medical, professional, industrial and mixed-use leases throughout Ohio and beyond. We review, draft and negotiate commercial lease agreements and have honed specific skills in the telecommunications industry and in wind energy development. We are known for handling a high volume of transactions with speed and consistency.

Energy & Telecommunications

Our attorneys have helped clients with debt and equity financing for the construction of projects and transactions involving extensive real estate, environmental and tax issues. Our services include real estate due diligence; title curative work property acquisition and easement negotiations; document preparation; and work with lenders and equity investors. Within the telecommunications industry, we advise Ohio municipalities regarding ordinance drafting, ensuring the ordinances are compliant with federal and state micro-wireless regulations.

Environmental

With vast knowledge of the lending and how it impacts real estate negotiation, we represent lenders and developers in real estate due diligence, title curative work, property acquisition and easement negotiations.

Loan Workouts

Our attorneys frequently represent both borrowers and lenders seeking to restructure troubled credits, negotiating and documenting forbearance, collateral surrender, liquidation, lien subordination and payment subordination transactions, as well as loan agreement amendments and covenant waiver matters.