Comparative Guide
Franchise & Licensing
United States
Dale A. Cohen
Akerman LLP‘s real estate practice group advises a wide range of clients throughout the US market, working with investors, developers, lenders, owners, and corporate end users in connection with various transactional matters. The team is involved in major real estate leasings, developments, financings, and the construction of some of the largest projects both in Florida and across the US. Eric Rapkin, chair of the real estate practice group, is based in Fort Lauderdale and focuses his practice on sophisticated commercial real estate transactions on behalf of developers, investors, and investment funds. The team is strengthened by co-deputy chairs Lawrence Eiben, based in Chicago, and Allison Nelson, based in Denver. Eiben regularly acts on behalf of REITs, real estate funds, and joint ventures, while Nelson has a developed practice representing healthcare systems in real estate transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team is well rounded with a strong culture of excellence.’
- ‘They are very knowledgeable in their area of expertise but if they don't know something there is someone else in the firm that does. ’
- ‘I am in-house counsel and have worked with Allison Nelson for years. She is consistently exceptional in her work product and knowledge in her subject matter area. She is a great leader, team manager, and is practical in her decision-making. She handles challenging situations with the utmost professionalism while finding the right risk-reward balance for her client. She is everything one would want in outside counsel.’
- ‘Allison Nelson is the partner with whom I worked with. At times, it felt as though Allison operated a crisis hotline in service of my employer (and our external real estate services firm). Allison offered superb legal advice and served as a steadying presence on the cross-functional team.’
- ‘I have worked with many in-house and outsourced Real Estate legal teams over 30 years. The knowledge, capacity, negotiation skills, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Akerman team I have had the pleasure of working with over the last few years is second to none.'
- ‘The entire Akerman team I work with is outstanding. The strength of the team undoubtedly comes from the leadership they have with Allison Nelson. Allison is by far the best legal partner I have had in over 30 years. She has an amazing capacity to effectively navigate the tremendous flow of issues and transactions that hit her desk. Allison has a very unique ability to simplify at times complicated issues and communicate appropriate direction to achieve the best outcomes. She also has the unique ability to navigate our internal corporate structure without getting "bogged down" which is not always easy to do. She is very respected throughout the many different independent teams she works with and I value the support and partnership Allison and her team provide me, my team, and the organization.’
Key clients
- Origis Energy
- Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
- GT USA
- U.S. Bank
- DDC Management, LLC
- BDP GP Holdings, LP (Bridge Industrial)
Work highlights
Represented Origis Energy as local real estate counsel in connection with the $136m construction financing loan for Rice Creek Solar project.
Represented developer GT USA in the purchase of more than 2,300 acres of land for $165m, and additionally represented GT USA in the sale of 518 acres to Pulte Home Company for $90m.
Represented Sumitomo Corporation of Americas, as landlord of Class A office building located at 203 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago, in connection with an approximately 77,000 square foot office lease to Lessen, Inc.
Practice head
Eric Rapkin; Lawrence Eiben; Allison Nelson