Overview

Phil is a trusted advisor and general counsel to several real estate development, construction, and hospitality management companies, among many other clients across a range of industries. He is often called upon to manage the entire transaction process for complex deals, orchestrating strategy, and ensuring all aspects of the deal are executed smoothly.

He represents real estate developers and investors in the acquisition, disposition, leasing, financing and development of real property for retail, office and residential purposes. He represents hotel developers and hospitality management companies in hotel and resort development, acquisition, financing, management and related matters.

He has represented investors and management companies in the acquisition, development and management of nationally flagged hotels, resorts and other commercial properties. He has represented developers in the development of large mixed-use properties, multifamily properties, and numerous other residential and commercial real estate matters.

Phil has represented national banking associations in the structuring, negotiation and documentation of real estate, commercial, and asset-based financing transactions. He also represents entrepreneurial businesses with capital formation, strategic business planning, and financial issues.

Courts & Bar Associations

• Ohio Bar

Professional Honors & Awards

• Ohio Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (2017-2018)

Representative Matters

Real Estate: Representing real estate developers and investors in the acquisition, financing, development and disposition of commercial properties, hotels, strip centers, power centers and multi-family properties with a focus on hotels, big-box anchored shopping centers and retail tenants. Representation includes negotiating and drafting purchase and sale agreements, leases, operation and easement agreements, and related documents.

• Participated in the negotiation, documentation, and closing of the sale of a $100,000,000 shopping center.
• Negotiated and documented the purchase of a waterpark resort.
• Negotiated, documented, and closed the purchase and sale of numerous franchised hotels.
• Negotiated leases and real estate purchases with national tenants and other major retailers.
• Represented real estate investors in acquiring investment properties and drafting residential leases for single and multi-family housing.

Business & Corporate: Representing clients in entity selection, formation and documentation. Assisting clients in documenting management structure by drafting limited liability company operating agreements and other governance documents.

• Advised client on business planning to bring data compression software product to market.
• Advised client on business planning to bring telecommunication system relating to medical field to market.
• Advised client on business planning to bring medical device product to market.
• Advised client on business planning regarding new oil & gas ventures.
• Advised clients on business planning regarding new hotel developments.

Banking & Finance: Representing borrowers and lenders in structuring, negotiating and documenting real estate, construction, commercial, and asset-based lending transactions.

• Negotiated, documented and closed numerous CMBS loan transactions, commercial loan transactions, loan workouts, forbearance agreements, loan modifications, and related restructurings.
• Negotiated, documented and closed numerous deeds in lieu of foreclosure, short sale, and note sale transactions.
• Participated in the representation of a telecommunications company in $90,000,000 credit facility to facilitate stock redemption, and asset purchase.
• Negotiated, documented and closed $29,600,000 credit facility as part of complex historic tax credit capital structure to redevelop historic building into luxury apartments, boutique hotel, restaurant, and commercial uses.
• Negotiated, documented and closed $30,000,000 loan to refinance existing loan, which included defeasance process.
• Participated in the representation of a lender in $42,000,000 construction loan to develop condominium properties.
• Participated in the representation of a lender in $15,000,000 loan to finance acquisition of an automotive plant.

Private Equity & Capital Formation: Representing clients in capital raising transactions, including Regulation D offerings and compliance with federal and state securities laws.

• Represented client in private offering raising over $11,500,000 to finance real estate project consisting of new hotel and commercial development.
• Represented client in private offering raising over $4,500,000 to finance real estate development project consisting of residential apartments and commercial space.
• Represented client in private offering raising over $3,000,000 to open restaurant in South Beach, FL.
• Represented client in private offering raising over $3,500,000 for oil and gas exploration and drilling company.
• Represented client in private offering raising $1,350,000 to finance real estate project for new hotel.

Hotel & Hospitality

• Represented client in development of mixed-use luxury hotel and apartment building as part of $40,000,000 development project.
• Represented client in sale of franchised hotel in the amount of $15,375,000.
• Represented client in purchase of franchised hotel in the amount of $8,650,000 and related financing.
• Represented client in refinancing of hotel loan in the amount of $9,500,000.
• Represented hotel management companies in disputes with hotel owners and negotiated favorable settlements.

General Counsel

• Outside general counsel to growth companies, including a construction company, real estate development company, and several hotel management and development companies.

Presentations

• "Drafting Commercial Real Estate Leases: The Ins and Outs of Protecting Your Interests"
• "Negotiating and Drafting Trouble-Free Commercial Real Estate Leases in Ohio"
• "Ohio Oil & Gas Basics: An Overview of Ohio Oil & Gas Law, Leasing and Operations"