Find Lawyers in Chattanooga, Tennessee for Real Estate Law
Practice Area Overview
Real estate law refers to the body of laws that govern the buying, selling and leasing of property.
These laws cover a wide range of legal issues related to real estate transactions, including financing transactions, environmental law and title searches. Real estate laws and regulations vary from state to state, with some requiring a real estate license to buy or sell property. Attorneys in real estate law can help with issues that a real estate agent can’t.
Hiring a real estate lawyer or real estate law attorney can be essential for navigating the legal complexities of a home purchase or sale. Law firms specializing in real estate law can assist with legal issues related to real estate transactions, such as reviewing contracts and conducting title searches.
Real estate lawyers or attorneys are also typically involved in representing clients before the real estate commission or title company. Law school courses often cover real estate law, as it is an essential aspect of many legal practices. A full-service real estate law firm should have expertise in these areas:
Sales and Acquisitions
The representation of buyers and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of the various kinds of real estate including office buildings, retail centers, hotels, industrial properties, residential properties and manufactured housing communities.
Real estate attorneys can be equally essential whether the transaction is for residential or commercial property.
Title
The examination of title to real estate, evaluation of title exceptions and negotiation of title insurance policies.
Land Use and Environmental
Land use entitlements, due diligence investigations, Brownfield developments and compliance with Environmental Laws and federal and state Endangered Species Acts.
Development
The negotiation and preparation of development and construction agreements and the other documents required to develop and construct office buildings, shopping centers, mixed-use projects, free-standing units and industrial sites.
Leasing
The negotiation and preparation of office, retail and industrial leases and long-term ground leases. A real estate lawyer may assist with:
- Drafting and reviewing lease agreements.
- Negotiating lease terms.
- Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
- Dispute resolution.
- Lease modifications and renewals.
- Handling lease terminations and evictions.
- Advising on subleasing and assignment.
Finance
The representation of lenders and borrowers in real estate secured loan originations, loan sales and purchases and other debt arrangements, including:
- Permanent financings.
- Construction loans.
- Bridge loans.
- Conduit loans.
- Mezzanine loans.
- Shared appreciation loans.
- Portfolios of non-performing loans.
Joint Ventures
A very large proportion of real estate transactions involve joint ventures between capital sources and developers. Therefore, a real estate firm must be in a position to structure and negotiate partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements, shareholder agreements and other forms of joint venture arrangements and advise on the tax aspects of the transactions.
Restructuring and Workouts
Not all real estate transactions are successful. Real estate lawyers, therefore, must be in a position to advise lenders, borrowers, partners, landlords, tenants and developers when a transaction goes bad.
This type of real estate law may involve transactional, bankruptcy, tax and litigation work. Restructuring and workouts often include:
- Loan modifications.
- Foreclosures.
- Deeds in lieu of foreclosure.
- Discounted loan payoffs.
- Loan forbearances.
- REO sales.
- Joint venture modifications.
- Buy/sells.
- Forced sales.
- Lease and development modifications.
- Bankruptcies.
- Receivership actions.
- Guarantee actions.
Litigation
Litigation in the real estate area involves the representations of real estate owners, buyers, sellers, lessors, brokers, lenders and developers in, among other things:
- Contract disputes.
- Mechanics lien and construction disputes.
- Eminent domain proceedings.
- Title disputes.
- Loan service.
- Foreclosure issues.
- Bankruptcy.
Evan Allison represents real estate developers, investors, landlords, tenants and lenders in all types of commercial real estate transactions including industrial, retail, hotel, office, multi-family and medical office building deals. He prides himself on his responsiveness and helping his clients get deals closed. His experience includes working with both developers and investors in creating joint ventures for acquiring and developing real property and he has specific experience in the devel...
Bobby Dann concentrates his practice on commercial real estate, commercial finance and troubled assets. From 1981 to 1995, he served as in-house investment counsel to a group of insurance companies in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, focusing on commercial real estate development, management and lending. He also served as lender’s counsel in the sales of mortgage pools, the acquisition and syndication of retirement facilities, and in workouts, foreclosures and interim operations of troubl...
Jim concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial, industrial and planned unit real estate, and in banking. He has represented developers, lenders, landlords and tenants in a variety of complex and multi-state transactions, and continues to relish the enjoyment of resolving issues to close a transaction successfully. He has led teams on transactions as diverse as the financing of the acquisition and development of a 1,300-acre parcel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and a $300 million corpora...
Tom Hayslett maintains a commercial practice that covers real estate transactions, business-to-business commercial agreements, commercial finance transactions and general business counsel to closely owned enterprises. Tom’s practice includes representing buyers, sellers, developers and owners of retail shopping centers, office buildings, hospitality properties, manufacturing and warehouse facilities, and residential developments; as well as representing manufacturers, processors, profes...
Rick Hudson is a member of the firm’s Business Practice Group, focusing his practice on business organizations, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate acquisitions and financing. He regularly represents clients in matters related to commercial leases for offices, malls, strip centers, and big box retailers.
Allen McCallie, Chair of the firm's Exempt Organizations Group, concentrates his practice on tax-exempt charitable organizations, conservation law, public entity law, and public/private nonprofit development ventures. For more than 30 years, Allen has enjoyed working on public/private partnerships and ventures which have helped shape the renaissance of Chattanooga into one of the most vibrant cities in the South, through projects such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Tennessee RiverPark, Miller Pla...
Mike St. Charles focuses his practice in the business and real estate areas. His business practice involves providing advice to businesses on issues ranging from start-up to acquisitions and dispositions. His recent business transactions include capital equipment purchasing, joint ventures, mergers, sales, and financing. His real estate practice includes acquisition and sales, financing, development, and leasing transactions. He is experienced in handling development projects as well as the a...
Mark Turner is a shareholder in the firm’s Business Section. His practice is focused on commercial lending transactions, corporate finance, and commercial and transactional work. He frequently represents banks and mezzanine lenders in loan transactions and workouts. In addition, he represents a number of manufacturers and other businesses in connection with business acquisitions and sales, commercial contracts, general corporate matters and real estate transactions.
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