In recent years, a growing number of construction companies have established employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).1 The interest in an ESOP is often generated by the need for an exit strategy for one or more of the owners of a closely held...
Real Estate Articles
THE PITFALLS OF OBJECTIVELY MEASURED JUST COMPENSATION: WHEN MARKET VALUE ISN’T ENOUGH
When advocates for property owners take on an eminent domain case, they aim to achieve the best result possible for their clients. In some cases, that means fighting the taking. In other cases, the taking is inevitable, and the objective is to...
MANAGING PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY RISKS IN PREPARING LEGAL OPINIONS
The rendering of a third-party legal opinion, like other attorney responsibilities in connection with closing a real estate secured finance transaction, involves professional liability risks.1 This article will discuss how an opinion preparer’s use...
TAX-LAW ANALYSIS APPLIED TO SECTION 1031 EXCHANGES AND PROXIMATE BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
The section 1031 industry holds a unique place in our economy.2 Section 1031 has become an important and frequently used provision of the Internal Revenue Code. As a provision of tax law, its application requires the use of tax-law analysis, which...
Modern Real Estate Transactions 2025
Hear the real estate insights you can’t afford to miss at Modern Real Estate Transactions 2025, taking place on April 9-11, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois, in-person or via live webcast. Modern Real Estate Transactions 2025 is the premier CLE program...
A PACIFIC NORTHWEST VIEW OF OFFICE-TO-RESIDENTIAL CONVERSIONS
Oregon and Washington are not alone in their desperate need for 550,0001 and 1,100,000 new housing units2 within the next 20 years, respectively. The entire nation continues to struggle with a lack of housing supply.3 Meanwhile, many...
VALUING PROPERTIES IN TRANSITION
When real property subject to condemnation is within an area of urban renewal2 or is underutilized, understanding the potential for a highest and best use that differs from a property’s current use, as of the date of condemnation, is critical. This...
TRUST THE PROCESS: INTERIOR PROMISES FINAL RULE WILL STREAMLINE TRIBAL TRUST LAND ACQUISITIONS
The administrative process by which tribal nations obtain trust status for land to conduct off-reservation gaming or other activities has been criticized by some as cumbersome, lengthy, and overly burdensome.1 With recently implemented amendments...
PROVING THE VALUE OF UNIQUE OR SCARCE REAL PROPERTY ASSETS
This article will focus on how lawyers and appraisers can work together to tackle difficult appraisal problems that don’t lend themselves easily to a simple comparable sales approach or where such an approach requires larger adjustments than are...