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Find Lawyers in Louisiana, United States 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.
Select a city from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Cities
Lee Adler practices primarily in the areas of general business relationships and finance. He has an extensive transactional-based practice representing clients in a wide variety of fields. Finance transactions include real estate finance, vessel finance, accounts receivable-based finance and equipment and inventory finance, representing both borrowers and lenders. Prior to joining Phelps in 1992, Mr. Adler was an attorney at a large multi-practice firm in New York.
Phil is a commercial litigator in state and federal courts. He takes pride in advising his clients on how to succeed at trial, on appeal, or how to avoid litigation altogether. Louis Armstrong, the greatest trumpet player of all time, said “never play anything the same way twice.” Phil has taken this advice to heart in his practice, advising unique clients facing distinct challenges with an individualized approach. Phil represents a diverse set of clients across a broad range of i...
Bart Bacigalupi focuses his practice on corporate business matters, including commercial finance, real estate, leasing, software contracts, start-up advice, services agreements, corporate governance and other commercial matters. He advises companies in general business matters across various industries, including energy, shipping, financial middle-market lenders, real estate investors, technology, hospitality and public utilities with respect to their legal business needs. Bart seeks to serve...
Roy E. Blossman is a founding partner of the firm. Mr. Blossman handles a variety of matters in banking and finance, including commercial financings, trouble debt restructurings, workouts, preparation of standard banking forms, general banking and lending advices and regulatory work. He also represents sellers and purchasers in sales and exchanges of developed and undeveloped real estate, preparation and negotiation of leases on improved and unimproved property, and all other kinds of transac...
Michael Botnick is a member with more than 40 years of experience in commercial litigation and is a certified mediator. His practice encompasses transactions, real estate, contracts, and corporate law, as well as trusts and estates. In the last 28 years, Michael has dedicated a hefty portion of his time practicing construction law and handling litigation cases involving disputes, an area in which he has been recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business . Chambers USA sta...
Mr. Cahill is a member of the Firm's Business Group whose practice is concentrated in commercial real estate, business and finance law, as well as creditors' rights, workouts and foreclosures and commercial bankruptcy. Mr. Cahill is actively involved with many professional, civic, charitable and trade organizations, including the Real Property Probate & Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association (having recently served two terms as a Supervisory Council Member of the Section's Gove...
Phil Claverie, Jr. practices in the areas of business and finance and real estate, advising clients on matters related to banking, commercial transactions, real estate, leasing and probate. He represents a number of financial institutions in loan transactions involving real estate acquisitions and construction, vessel acquisitions and construction and working capital. He also represents a number of real estate developers and business owners in connection with development projects, land acquis...
R. Keith Colvin is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and focuses his practice on commercial real estate matters. Over his more than 40 years in legal practice, Keith has represented developers, lenders, and owners in a wide variety of projects, including, industrial plants, hotels, gaming facilities, office buildings, golf course developments, and residential condominium developments. Keith has been a frequent lecturer at professional seminars sponsored by the Louisiana State Bar Asso...
Remy Donnelly is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on business, commercial, and real estate transactions and matters. Remy advises and represents clients in commercial finance transactions, commercial real estate acquisitions and sales, commercial contracts, oil and gas transactions, commercial lease transactions for office buildings, shopping centers, ground leases, and industrial sites, and general business matters. Remy’s clients include lenders, owners, landlords...
Ms. Durio graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987. In 1991, graduating cum laude, Ms. Durio received a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University School of Law. Ms. Durio practices primarily in the areas of commercial real estate transactions and commercial litigation. She has represented numerous developers, property owners, national corporations and local buyers and sellers of real estate, landlords and tenants, investment and property-management com...
Lillian E. Eyrich has more than 35 years of experience practicing as a title insurance attorney. Ms. Eyrich is known for being meticulous with details and accessible to her clients, qualities that have attributed to her being widely recognized by her peers as one of the best in the industry. In 2024, 2022 and 2012, she was honored by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as the “New Orleans Best Lawyers Real Estate Law Lawyer of the Year." With the real estate transaction world ...
A member of the Taylor Porter Executive Committee, Partner Brett P. Furr is engaged primarily in a real estate and commercial litigation practice. In the last several years, his work has been related to commercial bank workout and litigation, including foreclosures, bankruptcies, defense of lender liability suits, and oil and gas cases and related matters. Mr. Furr is the former chairman of the Banking Law Section of the National Lawyers Association. On behalf of the Louisiana Bankers Associa...
Jeff Gray is a senior partner in the Corporate Practice Group. For more than 30 years, Jeff has concentrated on corporate and commercial transactions, with an emphasis on commercial real estate development. Jeff has served as outside counsel to numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as local, regional, and national real estate developers. Jeff has also served as outside counsel for a broad array of national and international clients in the energy sector, with a focus on industrial site acquis...
Peck Hayne's practice centers on oil and gas, pipeline and other energy-related transactions and regulation and on federal appellate litigation. Peck regularly negotiates, drafts and advises clients on complex purchase and sale agreements, operating agreements, mineral leases, right-of-way agreements, transportation and interconnection agreements, gas storage agreements and settlement agreements in complex litigation and other disputes. He also frequently renders title opinions on complex pet...
Bill Hines is managing partner of Jones Walker and a member of the Corporate Practice Group. Passionate about economic and cultural development in New Orleans, across Louisiana, and throughout the Gulf South, Bill has been a legal, business, and civic leader for more than 35 years. Since 2006, he has led Jones Walker through a period of significant growth. During this time, the firm’s client base has expanded to include leading regional, national, and international corporations, banks a...
Brian’s practice at Baldwin Haspel Burke & Mayer involves real estate, banking, commercial finance, estate planning and successions, corporate and business law. He represents lenders and borrowers in commercial finance transactions, troubled debt restructuring, and debt enforcement actions. He also represents lenders and developers in connection with the acquisition, sale, development, and financing of developed and undeveloped properties and represents lessors and lessees in the pr...
Neal J. Kling, a Member of the firm, received his undergraduate degree in Business and Public Administration from Louisiana State University and his law degree from Louisiana State University Law Center where he graduated Order of the Coif and was a member of the Louisiana Law Review. He represents clients in the areas of secured financing transactions, real estate transactions, real property and personal property leasing, maritime construction and finance and other commercial transactions. M...
Charles Landry is a partner and member of Fishman Haygood’s Business Section. Charles concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate development, real estate finance, land use and zoning. He has represented numerous parties in a wide range of real estate transactions, which include residential developments (including Traditional Neighborhood Developments), office buildings, shopping malls and centers, hotels and medical facilities, golf course communities, and industrial developm...
Focusing on commercial real estate development and land title, Rose is currently the lead counsel for land use and development issues for the re-development of the corner of Loyola Avenue and Poydras Street. This location is the gateway to the New Orleans sports and entertainment district, including the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the Smoothie King Center. The new six-story building will be the New Orleans home of Dave and Buster's, with retail shopping and parking. At present, Rose’s r...
Rivers Lelong is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and a member of the Jones Walker board of directors. He has a broad-ranging transactional practice representing clients across several industries. Rivers’ practice involves a variety of commercial transactions comprising secured finance, real estate, acquisitions and divestitures of privately held companies and their assets, and the negotiation of sophisticated commercial contracts. He is also general outside counsel to an inter...
Lloyd J. Lunceford serves as Of Counsel at Taylor Porter where he has been practicing law since 1984. Mr. Lunceford is engaged in a general civil practice with emphases in higher education, mass communications, commercial litigation, and church property laws. He also has expertise in the application of the Louisiana Public Records and Open Meetings Acts, which affect all municipal, parish, and state agencies. Mr. Lunceford is admitted to practice in all Louisiana state courts, in the federal ...
David A. Martinez is a seasoned commercial and residential real estate attorney with particular experience in title insurance. Mr. Martinez is highly respected for his legal expertise and approach to resolving a client’s issue in a practical way, qualities that have attributed to him being recognized by his peers as one of the top real estate attorneys in New Orleans through his inclusion in Best Lawyers. “Through experience I have learned that most people are all fired up about t...
Lewis McHenry is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He represents a wide range of parties in real estate transactions. Lewis advises clients on real estate acquisitions and divestitures, workouts, commercial bankruptcy, development, and finance. He handles matters in connection with multi-family residential developments throughout the southeastern and southwestern United States, office buildings, hotels, and medical facilities. He also advises forest products companies on timber inves...
Alvin C. Miester, III is a Member in the New Orleans law firm of Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C. where he practices in the areas of Commercial Real Estate; Business Law; Construction and Design Law; Leasing; Retail Development; Restaurant Law; Shopping Center Development; Commercial Finance; Zoning and Land Use and Title Insurance. He received his B.S. degree in economics from the University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana in 1990 and his J.D. degree from the Lou...
Mr. Montgomery is a commercial real estate and transactional attorney that represents clients in complex commercial real estate transactions throughout Louisiana and collaborates with co-counsel on transactions outside of Louisiana. He often prepares and helps clients negotiate purchase agreements for commercial sales and acquisitions and often works with common law state lenders who require advice and assistance with Louisiana law as it pertains to and affects contracts related to their tran...
John Ashley Moore is a partner with Taylor Porter, where he has practiced law since 1981. Mr. Moore’s practice areas include commercial litigation, banking and transactional matters, oil and gas transactions and mineral title examinations, real estate and land use and insurance regulatory matters. Mr. Moore is ranked by his peers in Best Lawyers in America in Commercial Litigation / UCC Law. Mr. Moore is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978 and...
Marie A. Moore, a member of the Firm, received her B.A. degree from the University of Alabama in 1975 and her J.D. degree from the University of Alabama in 1978, where she was a member of Order of the Coif and associate editor of the Alabama Law Review. She then served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert S. Vance of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. Ms. Moore is a licensed member of the Louisiana and Alabama State Bars. Ms. Moore is a Fellow in the American College of Real Est...
Malcolm S. Murchison is licensed to practice in Louisiana and Texas and enjoys a broad based commercial law practice. His variety of skills equip him to handle a wide range of legal issues for his clients, including oil and gas, real estate, corporate formations/mergers/dissolutions, commercial lending and financing arrangements, state/local tax disputes, and land-use issues. He has significant experience in handling Louisiana mineral interest issues ranging from acquisitions, title examinati...
Randy Opotowsky has more than 39 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate law, and business and corporate law, including 25 years as a litigator. His practice areas include residential and commercial closings, condominium creation and conversion, multi-family and subdivision development, and representation of condominium homeowner associations. He has represented developers of numerous new and renovated condominium projects in the New Orleans area, as well as handling res...
Erik Piazza practices in the area of real estate and business. He represents a variety of commercial, residential, and mixed use developers. His practice is primarily focused on real estate matters, including commercial and residential developments, commercial leases, banking/financing, planning and zoning, condominium regimes and other commercial transactions.
Louie Quinn, Jr. is a partner and member in our Business Section. He has more than 35 years of experience and concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate development [housing, office, retail, mixed-use, and industrial]; real estate finance; affordable housing, student housing, multi-family housing and condominiums; commercial leasing [Landlord and Tenant]; business and commercial transactions, partnership syndications, public-private partnerships, and public finance transactions. Lo...
Anne E. Raymond's practice is dedicated to all inner-workings of real estate law. With over 20 years’ experience representing clients locally and nationally, Anne evaluates each client’s specific needs and goals in order to identify and resolve complicated business and real estate issues. Well-connected in her community, Anne is active in several professional organizations enabling her to provide the most up-to-date information and best insight to guide her clients. As a focused r...
Ragan Richard practices in the area of business and finance. He focuses in the areas of commercial transactions, agricultural and corporate law, real estate, finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. Mr. Richard has represented both individuals, and companies and underwriters, and led legal teams in the acquisition, financing, development, operation and sale of commercial, industrial, agricultural properties and businesses. His practice includes representation of banking and...
Richard Richter is a Member of the Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert law firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. His practice primarily includes real estate law, construction and development, zoning and regulatory matters, governmental relations, commercial finance and business transactions. Mr. Richter has an educational background in engineering and in law. He attended Tulane University and received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree (BSCE) in 1968. He pursued graduate E...
Randy Roussel practices in the area of business and finance. His general business practice is concentrated in the areas of real estate, banking, and commercial transactions. Mr. Roussel has represented Wampold Companies, Waffle House, Whitney National Bank, Carmouche Construction, and a variety of multifamily and commercial developers. Mr. Roussel’s practice emphasizes mixed-use real estate development. He works on HUD 221(d)(4) and other multi-family financing programs. Prior to joinin...
Rob Scheffy is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group, focusing on real estate, and a member of the Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team. Rob Scheffy has provided businesses with a steady, guiding hand through all phases of the economic cycle, from booms to busts and everything in between. Often described as a “hybrid” lawyer, he draws on his years of private practice and his service as in-house counsel for an interstate gas pipeline company to advise pip...
Mr. Schneider is Co-Chair of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group and is a member of firm's Management Committee. He has extensive experience in the area of sophisticated commercial real estate transactions in Louisiana and elsewhere. He has been involved in many of the major commercial real estate transactions and gaming developments in the region. Mr. Schneider joined Stone Pigman in 1984.
Steven Serio is a is a partner in Fishman Haygood's Business Section. He is a results-oriented attorney and has a reputation of spearheading complicated transactions from start-to-finish in an organized, detailed, and efficient manner. Steven represents a diverse group of business clients, both big and small, including real estate developers, landlords, commercial tenants, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and lenders. His practice includes all aspects of real estate development &nd...
Larry Shea works primarily in the energy industry representing oil and gas producers and pipeline companies. He has handled numerous matters involving legacy litigation, environmental issues, oil and gas leasing rights, and operations. He commonly represents defendants, including the defense of clients in class actions and mass joinder litigation. Larry has played an integral role in landmark cases, such as AmCom v. Patterson, one of the first modern era decisions of the Louisiana Supreme Cou...
Mr. Sher is a business lawyer whose practice is concentrated in commercial real estate and business and finance law. He also practices in the areas of: commercial litigation, creditors' rights, workouts and foreclosures, commercial bankruptcy, disaster recovery, arbitration and mediation, secured finance and asset based lending. Along with his practice, Mr. Sher is actively involved with many professional and trade organizations, including the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, where he...
As one of the most experienced real estate lawyers in New Orleans, Managing Partner Robert Steeg is highly respected for his handling of a wide variety of real estate transactions. Reflecting on his 38 years of experience in this field, Rob points to two important aspects of his approach to his law practice. “First, I try to treat every client with respect and with awareness that the transaction at hand is one of the most important things in their life at this moment.” “Seco...
Charles L. Stern, Jr., a partner at Steeg Law and the head of the litigation section, has more than 40 years of experience handling commercial and business litigation for clients in a variety of industries, including title insurance, commercial real estate, and banking. Chuck is known as an extremely skilled litigation attorney, who maintains the highest standards of professionalism, qualities that have attributed to him being widely recognized by his peers as one of the best in the industry....
Andy St. Romain is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and maintains an active practice advising clients on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial real estate matters. Andy handles matters related to oil and gas leasing and infrastructure, mixed-use, and other retail development. He regularly drafts and negotiates purchase, lease, development, and financing agreements, conducts title examinations for issuance of owner and loan title insurance policies, and has been involve...
Jim Stuckey practices in the areas of commercial finance, real estate, business, project financing, and leasing. His commercial experience includes complex loan transactions in real estate, construction, project finance, oil and gas, line of credit and asset based loans, as well as leveraged lease and utility securitization financings, and real estate and commercial transactions. His lending practice includes representing lenders and borrowers in oil and gas loans, real estate and constructio...
Ms. Talley is Co-Chair of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group. Her practice includes all aspects of real estate development, financing, leasing, purchase and sales. Ms. Talley has been involved in many of the major commercial real estate developments in Louisiana. She joined Stone Pigman in 1981.
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