Commercial Transactions and Real Estate

Real estate and commercial transactions remain a driving force in today's economy. Laws, rules, and regulations change constantly and can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. The ability of businesses to close deals, arrange financing, reorganize debt and remain abreast of government regulations requires counsel with a wealth of transactional experience and resources.

Frost Brown Todd brings that high level of knowledge and skills to the commercial transactions and real estate practice areas. With lawyers skilled in commercial finance, financial restructuring and real estate, the practice is highly transactional in nature and is comprised of lawyers who enjoy a swift pace and have superior negotiating and interpersonal skills.

Our lawyers, like our clients, are results oriented, so we work closely to understand our clients' business practices and culture and integrate our work accordingly. In addition, the experience within the Department has led to the development of a number of working groups, including those involved in financial institution regulation, equipment leasing, asset securitization, land use, economic development incentives, construction law and shopping center/retail development.

Many projects also present title issues that require counsel to obtain and analyze title insurance coverage or resolve title disputes. Our lawyers understand the role of title insurance in complex commercial real estate transactions and offer the services of a full-service title insurance agency, Multi-State Title Agency, Ltd.

With offices in many of the leading economic centers of the region, we are well positioned to provide highly skilled services when and where needed.

Commercial Transactions

Representing both borrowers and lenders in commercial financing transactions throughout the country, our Commercial Transactions lawyers advise a broad range of clients on all aspects of lending and regulatory issues. Our experience aids clients in effectively and efficiently planning, structuring and implementing financings -- whether for "plain vanilla" financings or transactions creatively conceived to meet unique circumstances.

Real Estate

Frost Brown Todd handles commercial, residential and industrial real estate transactions across the country. Our nationally recognized lawyers are adept at every level of real estate transaction: assemblage, acquisition, investment, zoning, development, lease negotiation and enforcement, finance, and sale of a wide variety of properties.

Our lawyers are also experienced in mortgage foreclosures, mechanics' lien enforcement, real estate assessment and taxation and land use/planning. They also represent investors and developers in tax credit housing projects and have handled numerous Section 1031 tax-free exchange transactions.

Local, regional and national real estate developers have long been an important part of our client base. Our developer clients are involved in a variety of transactions, including retail centers ranging from strip centers to regional malls, research and industrial facilities, office parks, multi-family and single-family residential communities, mixed use projects and golf course developments.

Multi-State Title Agency, Ltd.

Multi-State Title Agency, Ltd. is an ancillary and related real estate business wholly owned and operated by Frost Brown Todd. Multi-State is authorized to issue title insurance directly in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida and Tennessee. It is a local and regional agent for Chicago Title Insurance Company, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, First American Title Insurance Company, The Guarantee Title and Trust Company, Lawyer's Title Insurance Corporation, Ohio Bar Title Insurance Company, and Stewart Title Guaranty Company. It also has a national agency contract with First American Title Insurance Company that enables it to provide title insurance policies and services throughout the United States.

Multi-State is a full service title agency with closing personnel, paralegals and title examiners who are supervised by and work in conjunction with designated commercial real estate lawyers of Frost Brown Todd. It handles a full spectrum of transactions from small commercial business real estate loans to multi-state, multi-site real estate transactions.

Service Area Contact(s)

  • P. Reid Lemasters

    513.651.6178

Legal Spotlight

Frost Brown Todd saves manufacturer from property snag

When a Fortune 500 consumer retailer and manufacturer faced a complex leasing standoff with an unwilling party, Frost Brown Todd assembled a team from its real estate and litigation departments to prosecute a declaratory judgement action that would allow the client to continue with the sale of properties.

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