Strengths Snapshot
All Real Estate Practice Group members work in the traditional areas of leasing and in purchase and sales agreements, with a special emphasis on industrial and commercial properties. Additionally, our attorneys draw on extensive experience and knowledge to provide counsel in these and other areas:
- Affordable housing matters – Rob Davies
- Agricultural matters – Kurt Brauer, Danelle Harrington, Ford Turrell
- Bond financing – Rob Davies
- Condominium development – Rob Davies, Bill Hall, David MacDonald
- Construction contracts – Kelly Clum-Matthysse, David Eberhard, Bob Nolan, James Rabaut
- Easements and restrictions – Thomas Amon, Gaëtan Gerville-Réache, David MacDonald, Chris Meyer, Bob Nolan, Ford Turrell
- Economic incentives, including tax credits and tax reductions – Jared Belka, Kurt Brauer, John Byl
- Environmental – Kurt Brauer, Daniel DeWitt, Dennis Donohue
- Cannabis real estate needs, including zoning –Bob Nolan, Robin Yono
- Secured financing and refinancing – Rob Davies, David Eberhard, David MacDonald, Ford Turrell
- Land use permitting, including zoning – Thomas Amon, Kurt Brauer, David Eberhard, Rachel Foster, Gaëtan Gerville-Réache, Chris Meyer, Bob Nolan, James Rabaut
- Property tax planning and appeals – Thomas Amon, Chris Meyer
- Insolvency real estate needs including mortgage foreclosures, receiverships, and secured financing concerns – Elisabeth Von Eitzen
Services
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Whether you’re in the planning stages or knee-deep into development, we can help facilitate your real estate transactions and protect your interests at the same time. Our attorneys represent buyers and sellers in a variety of real estate matters, ranging from undeveloped land to developed commercial centers and industrial parks. We work with banks, builders, contractors, developers, real estate investment trusts and property owners to make their real estate goals a reality.
Affordable Housing
As the demand for affordable housing and related incentives continues to grow, so does the need for knowledgeable counsel. Our attorneys have a wealth of experience in obtaining financing and tax credits for property owners and developers. This includes Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), federal historic rehabilitation tax credits, New Market Tax Credits (NMTC), federally insured loan programs from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) and multi-family, senior and assisted living projects. From investors to banks and for-profits to nonprofits, we can help you secure the resources you need for your project.
Associations
Establishing and managing homeowner and condominium associations can be overwhelming for the governing board and individual homeowners. From inception, a variety of legal documents must be structured to comply with state law and set enforceable guidelines to help manage the community. Our attorneys at Warner have the experience you need to help create and manage a successful association.
Condominiums
Warner is known as one of the top firms for condominium law in the State of Michigan. From new construction to conversions, we have vast experience in industrial, commercial and residential condominium projects in various industries, such as hospitals and medical facilities, residential, retail, leasehold, hotel, mixed-use developments, marinas and RV camps.
Subdivision Development
We offer assistance with condominium and subdivision applications for conversion and new construction, and provide documentation services for these properties. In addition, we can help with the organizational agreements and any additional documents needed for the formation of any condominium or subdivision development.
Construction
We provide advice for all phases of construction, from initial design to post-completion disputes for both public and private projects. Our attorneys represent owners, architects, contractors and subcontractors in contract disputes, professional liability matters, defective construction, liens and foreclosures and surety bond claims. To learn more click here.
Economic Incentives
Real estate and economic incentives go hand in hand and we’ll work together to ensure all possible financing avenues are explored. Over the past 15 years, we’ve helped secure over $1 billion in economic incentives, resulting in tens of thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars of additional private investment. We secure abatements and grants for projects through the use of a variety of redevelopment financial incentives. To learn more click here.
Environmental
As one of the top firms for environmental law in the Midwest, our experienced environmental attorneys practice in all areas of environmental law. Our specialties include brownfield redevelopment, air and water, natural resources, mining, agriculture, hazardous and solid waste, underground storage tanks, regulatory compliance, litigation, due diligence and remediation. To learn more click here.
Financing and Foreclosures
We represent borrowers, lenders, underwriters and remarketing agents in all phases of real estate loan transactions, taxable financing, tax-exempt financing, restructures, workouts and bankruptcies. Our experienced attorneys represent buyers, trustees, debtors and creditors in bankruptcy proceedings for the sale and purchase of manufacturing facilities, hotels, residential and industrial developments, retail and commercial real estate. To learn more click here.
Leasing
Whether you’re a landlord or tenant, we can assist you in all types of commercial and industrial leasing transactions. If you are a residential landlord, we are familiar with the regulatory and statutory requirements for residential leases. From negotiating lease agreements to drafting documentation, we’ll make sure your final lease arrangement is structured to your business needs and matches your expectations.
Riparian Rights
We are fully versed in the legal issues associated with littoral and riparian rights, including the analysis of riparian surveys and disputes concerning water use and consumption.
Mineral Resources
Warner attorneys counsel metallic and nonmetallic mining companies in the purchase, lease and development of mineral interests and mineral processing facilities throughout the Midwest. We also advise on title, access and leasing issues associated with the development of nickel, copper, silver, gold, zinc, coal, potash, salt, limestone, gravel, sand and other mineral resources.
Oil & Gas
With significant experience before state regulatory agencies, we assist our clients in legal matters involving interests in oil and gas. We represent working interest owners, major and independent producers, midstream and downstream companies and gas field service providers. To learn more click here.
Property Tax Issues
Property tax appeals are an important component of our practice and can save clients a significant amount of money. We represent taxpayers in matters involving assessed values, taxable values, exemptions and abatements. We file charitable, religious and educational homestead and agricultural exemption applications with government offices and if exemptions are denied, we assist in the appeal process to ensure successful resolutions.
Real Estate Litigation
Our real estate litigation practice handles a variety of matters, such as eminent domain proceedings, construction lien matters, quiet title actions, breach of contract actions, landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosures, trespassing, boundary disputes, adverse possession and prescriptive easement claims. We work to resolve all litigation matters early on to reduce costs and time spent away from running your business. To learn more click here.
Zoning and Governmental Approvals and Processes
We represent clients with all types of complex zoning entitlements, environmental permitting, annexation and special land use requirements related to development or redevelopment of property. We frequently appear before government zoning and planning commissions to obtain those approvals.
- Warner In-Person Event on June 15: Real Estate and Environment Issues in the Cannabis Industry
- Cannabis Law Seminar – Industry Insights and Trends From the Legal Perspective
- Elisabeth M. Von Eitzen Joins Board of Housing Resources, Inc.
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers®, U.S. News & World Report
- Warner Welcomes Three New Attorneys
- Warner Partner David L.J.M. Skidmore Elected Chair of Probate and Estate Planning Section of Michigan State Bar
- Warner Attorney Philip T. Haywood Joins Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes Board
- MI House of Reps Passes Bill to Prohibit Local Govt. From Banning Short-Term Residential Rentals
- Midland Lawyer: Hiring an Owner’s Representative Makes More Sense Than Ever
- Big Brother & Zoning: Michigan Court Says Government Can’t Use Drones Without a Warrant
- Vacation Rentals: Before You Invest, Know the Risks
- Buyer Beware In Hot Housing Market