At Firsel Ross Gussis & Alexander, we have significant experience in handling real estate purchases and sales ranging from small, straightforward commercial deals to complex, portfolio transactions. We represent both sellers and purchasers in connection with the sale or purchase of multi-family projects, retail and office complexes, shopping centers and industrial facilities throughout the United States. At Firsel Ross Gussis & Alexander, we are involved in all aspects of the purchase and sale transaction including but not limited to:

• Structuring, drafting and negotiating the purchase agreement and ancillary documents

• Identifying and assessing restrictions in land encumbrances, leases, mortgages and other agreements

• Due diligence, including title and survey review, zoning, and other issues

• Analyzing tax consequences and establishing tax deferred exchanges

• Ownership structure and entity formation, including joint ventures

• Assisting with the defeasance of securitized loans

Our team at Firsel Ross Gussis & Alexander represents owners, developers and tenants before, during, and after the construction process, as we have extensive experience with real estate construction projects. In conjunction with the development of commercial projects, we negotiate and draft complex development agreements, incentive agreements, declarations, reciprocal easement agreements, and operating easement agreements.

We have a unique blend of legal knowledge and actual industry experience that allows us to advise our clients through every phase of the construction and development process including but not limited to:

• Site acquisition

• Obtaining private and public approvals

• Drafting and negotiating construction contracts and workletters

• Construction loans

• Mechanics liens and payment issues

• Project closeout

Firsel Ross Gussis & Alexander attorneys negotiate and document financing arrangements on behalf of our lending clients. We are experts in real estate finance and provide legal advice and assistance in the structuring and documentation of all types of real estate financing arrangements, including senior and mezzanine debt.

We also routinely represent our clients in the negotiation and documentation of all aspects of loans for the acquisition of properties, construction of properties, and business-related loans. We have negotiated and completed countless note purchases and deed-in-lieu transactions for both lenders and borrowers. Our team is also well-versed in mezzanine financing. When loans collateralized by real estate or other property require restructuring, we represent creditors and debtors with respect to the workout and restructuring of such collateralized loans.

We regularly represent borrowers in negotiating and closing CMBS, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and HUD loans.

Firsel Ross Gussis & Alexander also serves as local counsel for out-of-state borrowers and lenders, providing legal opinions for loans and guidance on Illinois real estate laws.

Additionally, our lawyers have extensive experience in all aspects of restructuring and recapitalization, with an eye on maintaining our client’s business viability, protecting individual interests, and always seeking out innovative solutions. At Firsel Ross Gussis & Alexander, we routinely handle corporate restructuring, workouts, and bankruptcy planning, as well as distressed asset acquisitions and dispositions.

Our skilled lawyers represent owners and developers as well as governmental entities with respect to the negotiation and documentation of economic incentives, entitlements, and resolution of land use issues. We counsel clients who need these economic incentives as well as zoning and land use relief, which are the very foundations of most new developments and redevelopments in today’s marketplace.

Our attorneys at Firsel Ross Gussis & Alexander have decades of experience in reviewing, analyzing and contesting real estate tax assessments at the township, county, and state levels. Over the years, we have effectuated significant and meaningful reductions in burdensome and unfair taxation of real estate. Many clients work with us on a contingent fee basis, based primarily on our ability to generate positive results. Others prefer to work on flat fees, or a customized fee arrangement. We will be happy to review your real estate tax situation at no charge in determining whether or not a reduction is feasible or worth pursuing.

Firsel Ross Gussis & Alexander focuses on executing commercial leasing transactions quickly and efficiently, while establishing solid foundations between landlords and tenants for successful long-term relationships. Our experience in commercial, office, retail, industrial, and antenna site leasing includes both landlord and tenant representation from small, single use spaces, to office buildings and shopping centers throughout the United States, as well as ground leases, master leases, sale and lease-backs, credit tenant leases, leases of partial interest and other structured interests.

Firsel Ross Gussis & Alexander’s attorneys are respected advisors to public and private companies on all types of M&A transactions, including acquisitions, mergers, going private transactions, spin-off transactions, acquisitions of minority and controlling interests, and joint ventures. We are skilled at structuring and negotiating all of these types of transactions, and bring many years of experience and judgment to the table. This means that clients receive advice not only on the technicalities of the law, but also the benefit of practical counsel that helps clients achieve their real goals. In addition, Firsel Ross attorneys bring corporate tax and other planning advice into deal structures, yielding maximum results for our clients.