Columbus, Ohio, United States
Resourceful and knowledgeable law professional with experience providing leadership and advice to commercial, business development, and construction teams on real estate and construction related legal matters. Manage internal real estate programs and processes to facilitate lease review and negotiations. Expertise includes drafting, review, negotiation, and interpretation of wide range of commercial agreements. Skilled interpreting changes to US federal and state legislation relating to real estate matters, working with local external counsel to advise business teams on potential implications of changes to local real estate and construction laws. Manage external counsel in proper execution of transactions to ensure high quality, commercially focused, and cost-effective legal advice. Director, Real Estate Counsel | Big Lots Stores, Inc. * Managed team in handling all real estate and property matters for 1,500 retail stores and 5 distribution centers. Worked as part of team effort with legal, finance and distribution, and transportation departments to identify, negotiate, and document acquisition of 106 acres of desert in California, in addition to preparing lease and ancillary documents for construction and operation of 1.3 million square foot distribution center (2016-2018). Corporate Counsel | Scherer Companies * Worked with senior management on legal matters involving operation of companies in magazine distribution, real estate development, construction, leasing, and property management industries. Participated in structuring merger of 6 independently owned magazine distribution companies into 1 publicly held company. Vice President – Legal | The Galbreath Company * Key member of legal team for international real estate development company recognized as moving force behind development and construction of office towers in New York, Hong Kong, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, Nashville, Lexington and Denver.
Lead team in supporting brokers on real estate team, drafting of over 50 leases per year with total value of $150 million. Negotiate new leases and up to 150 extensions annually with property owners and attorneys to achieve acceptable final terms; advise brokers on deal terms. Negotiate settlement agreements arising from disputes with property owners on condition of leased premises at end of term. Negotiate and draft office leases, retail leases, storage leases, license agreements, settlement agreements, waivers, and consent agreements. Participate in negotiation of business terms under retail leases. Report to general counsel and supervise/manage workload of 2 attorneys, 1 paralegal, and 1 administrative assistant. Interview, hire, train, and review performance of associates. Delivered Results: * Deliver between $75-$100 million per year in savings by negotiating lower rents under such extension agreements. * Handled legal aspects of $145 million transaction involving land, architectural work, and construction costs for new Southern California distribution center. Managed through CEQA compliance process, which involved participation of major California law firm and environmental consultant over 2 years. * Saved major project involving completion of 94 new leases due within year, following unannounced resignation of team member accountable for 40+ leases, with no time available to hire replacement. Accessed member’s recent drafts and logged extra time in completing all leases, successfully executing all 94 in time for store openings.
Handled legal matters involving real estate development, leasing, and management, as well as all aspects of general corporate law and management of several privately-owned operating companies. Negotiated corporate mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, limited partnerships, general partnerships, corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships. Drafted leases, management contracts, stock acquisition agreements, asset acquisition agreements, real property purchase agreements, and related closing documents. Reported to CEO. Delivered Results: * Managed litigation involving breakup of acquisition of Team Logos Sportswear. Contributed to regulatory process involving removal of underground fuel storage tanks from distribution centers. * Worked with group that sought to establish partnership with company in Kiev, Ukraine for distribution of health and beauty products and aids. * Assisted outside counsel with SEC filings of publicly held United Magazine Company. Managed United Magazine Company’s acquisition of six magazine distribution companies in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and North Carolina.