Cozen O’Connor: Real Estate & Construction

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The real estate and construction industry is a major component of the global economy. In the United States alone, millions of people are employed in related occupations. Industry leaders in this sprawling and vital sector must be prepared to evolve and adapt when unforeseen circumstances arise. The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought the importance of agility to the forefront.

Cozen O’Connor has a renowned real estate and construction practice that provides clients with the long-range perspective members of the industry demand. Our attorneys regularly counsel clients on acquisitions, development, financing, construction, disposition, and disputes. The firm’s dedicated real estate lawyers are often involved in the industry’s most sophisticated deals and most complex litigation. They are privy to — and often a driving force behind — critical legal advancements. And when clients face real estate projects in distress, our distressed real estate team works with developers, investors, banks, non-bank lenders, construction companies, landlords, tenants, owners, and operators to address distressed assets head-on.

Our practice has a truly national reach, and we represent commercial and residential developers, shopping center and office developers, property owners, real estate investment trusts, banks and lenders, investors, national and regional retail companies, real estate brokerage companies, public and privately held companies, property management companies, municipalities, general contractors and subcontractors, architects and engineers, building owners and manufacturers of construction-related products. Our attorneys counsel clients on issues related to office buildings, shopping centers, warehouses, commercial and industrial structures, highways, bridges, dams, docks, piers, refineries, drilling structures, and all residential structures from single-family dwellings to apartment house complexes.

Real estate and construction are exceedingly technical fields, and Cozen O’Connor attorneys are known for the depth of their technical knowledge. Whether discussing the specifics of compressive strength, load specifications, liquidation calculations, or insurance rates, our attorneys are fluent in industry-specific terminology, operations and formulas. Having lawyers with this degree of substantive background saves time, improves communication, and results in more sophisticated advocacy on behalf of our clients.

SERVICE AREAS

Litigation

Defend clients in commercial disputes involving real estate transactions
Represent construction clients in cases of catastrophic personal injury or death, design errors and omissions, defects, surety and performance bond default matters, “sick building” syndrome, and delay/cost overrun damages
Respond to OSHA and ADA civil rights violation claims
Lead industry-wide construction products litigation and arbitrations

Transactions

Lead real estate acquisitions, dispositions, development, and leasing deals
Analyze and prepare construction-related contracts
Arrange complex financings via senior debt, mezzanine debt, or structured finance
Perform loan restructuring, workouts, and foreclosures
Handle environmental impact assessments and risk allocation
Advise clients on partnering, leasing, and zoning transactions

Corporate and Regulatory

Provide guidance on insurance, indemnification, mechanic’s liens, and surety
Counsel clients on OSHA and ADA compliance
Assist clients with environmental regulations, land use, zoning, and condemnation laws
Advise construction and real estate professionals on industry best practices and standards