Real Estate Industry
Our real estate practice offers extensive, full-service counsel on various real estate matters. We routinely represent large or emerging commercial and industrial developers and other property owners, commercial, retail and industrial lessors and tenants, and banks and investment banks, in a wide variety of real estate transactions. By virtue of our broad experience, we focus on creative problem-solving for our clients, in a cost effective, responsive and professional manner. Representative areas of experience include the following:
- Acquisition, financing, development and sale of office, industrial, hotel and retail and commercial properties
- Construction lending
- Commercial leasing
- Collateralized financing
- Debt restructuring
- Zoning, land use and governmental regulation
- Environmental regulatory counseling
- Condominium conversions
- Title insurance
- Donations and exchange
- Partnerships and limited liability companies
Our practice with respect to counseling large landowners involves the formation of master development plans for residential, commercial and industrial acreage. These plans address the preparation of comprehensive restrictions, Planned Unit Developments, dedications of public and other rights-of-way, conservation easements to address wetlands and other environmental issues, consistent with the requirements of the various governmental authorities with jurisdiction over the property. Our practice also frequently requires that we draft joint venture agreements to provide for the development of property with equity partners.
Our practice area with developers includes the development of commercial, retail, industrial, hotel and multi-family residential properties. Our practice involves securing the right to purchase the real estate, site plan and zoning approvals, compliance with the local governmental codes and ordinances, negotiating construction contracts and securing construction financing.
Gallier Title Agency, Inc., a division of the firm, provides title insurance services to our clients and lenders. As an agent for First American Title Insurance Company, Gallier Title has extensive experience in the issuance of title policies and the analysis of various underwriting risks. We also have considerable experience in endorsements to the policy jackets to confirm that our clients are provided adequate coverage for the risks involved.
Our real estate attorneys have varied experience in representing clients in the preparation of commercial and industrial leases. We represent both landlords and tenants on both long-term and short-term leases. Our lease experience includes free standing facilities, office complexes, malls and strip shopping centers.
The structure of a transaction is important, from financing to underwriting by rating agencies to federal and state income tax consequences. Our real estate attorneys frequently counsel clients on these issues, including the preparation of partnership agreements, formation of limited liability companies and other forms of ownership.
Finally, our practice includes counseling clients on the issues of donating real property to family members, public and private foundations, charitable and educational institutions. Concerns over fractional ownership interest, partitions, unknown environmental liabilities and management are also addressed.
Contact:
James R. Morton
Real Estate Industry Practice Chair
(504) 599-8507
E-mail: [email protected]
Firm News
Barry H. Grodsky Installed as 78th President of the Louisiana State Bar Association Barry H. Grodsky, a partner in the New Orleans law firm of Taggart Morton, L.L.C., was installed June 7 during the LSBA’s Annual Meeting in Destin, Fla. Administering his oath of office was Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson. Grodsky has set several goals for his year as ... » Read More
