Commercial Real Estate Attorneys: Leases, Acquisitions & Development for Business Properties
A commercial lease or purchase agreement is not a residential transaction with bigger numbers. The stakes, the negotiation dynamics, and the legal complexity require counsel who specializes in commercial property.
What Our Commercial Real Estate Practice Covers Your Business the Right Way
Whether you are leasing your first office space or acquiring a multi-property portfolio, our commercial real estate attorney team handles:
- Commercial Lease Negotiation — Office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use lease negotiation for both landlords and tenants, including build-out provisions, rent escalations, and renewal options.
- Property Acquisitions & Dispositions — Purchase and sale agreements, due diligence coordination, title review, closing documentation, and post-closing obligations.
- Real Estate Entity Structuring — Forming LLCs, holding companies, and SPVs for property ownership that optimize liability protection and tax treatment.
- Financing & Loan Documentation — Reviewing and negotiating commercial mortgage terms, construction financing, and lender requirements.
- Zoning & Land Use — Advising on zoning compliance, variance applications, and land use approvals for commercial development projects.
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes — Resolving lease disputes, default notices, eviction proceedings, and security deposit claims for commercial properties.
- 1031 Exchanges — Structuring tax-deferred exchanges for commercial property investors in coordination with qualified intermediaries.
Every real estate engagement starts with understanding the deal — because the right legal approach depends on whether you are buying, selling, leasing, developing, or restructuring.
Our M&A Process: Built for Speed and Precision
1. Deal Strategy & Valuation
We start with your goals — exit, acquisition, or expansion — and align deal structure with your tax and long-term strategy.
2. Letter of Intent (LOI)
We draft or refine the LOI to lock in key deal terms before due diligence begins.
3. Due Diligence Review
We audit the target company’s contracts, liabilities, IP, and financials to expose hidden risks early.
4. Negotiation & Documentation
Our team drafts or redlines definitive agreements that secure your interests — from purchase agreements to transition plans.
5. Closing & Integration
We oversee closing logistics and ensure post-closing obligations are clear, enforceable, and advantageous
Our Howard East Law Firm Attorney's Recognition
Our founding attorney, Tom Howard, has been recognized by both Leading Lawyers & Super Lawyers, quoted in the Wall Street Journal & Top 200 Lawyer. He is a member of the NORML Legal Committee & a Certified Ganjier.
Why Business Owners Choose Howard East
Commercial-Only Focus
We handle commercial real estate transactions — not residential closings. Our attorneys negotiate complex lease provisions, multi-property portfolios, and development deals that require commercial real estate experience.
Landlord and Tenant Representation
We represent both sides of commercial lease transactions. That dual perspective means we know which lease provisions are negotiable, which are market-standard, and which create hidden exposure.
Integrated with Business Law
Commercial real estate transactions connect to entity structuring, tax planning, business formation, and commercial contracts. We handle these connections seamlessly because they are all part of our practice.
Three-State Transaction Capability
Commercial real estate law varies significantly by state. Licensed in Illinois, Missouri, and New York, we handle transactions in all three states without coordinating with local counsel.
Where We Handle Commercial Real Estate
Illinois
Handle buy/sell transactions across corporations, LLCs, and partnerships Navigate Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issues in licensed industries Structure transactions for tax efficiency and post-closing protection Negotiate LOIs, purchase agreements, and non-competes tailored to Illinois law
Missouri:
Represent business owners in sales, mergers, and buyouts Manage multi-entity reorganizations and asset transfers Counsel clients on Missouri employment and non-solicitation laws Coordinate closings with lenders, accountants, and regulatory agencies
New York
Guide cross-border and multi-state transactions Draft and negotiate stock and asset purchase agreements Advise on securities compliance and due diligence for private offerings Manage regulatory and licensing transitions in highly regulated industries
Contact Experienced Lawyers Now
Let’s Talk About Your Deal
- Negotiate commercial leases that protect your business position and control costs
- Close property acquisitions with thorough due diligence and clean documentation
- Structure real estate ownership for liability protection and tax efficiency
- Resolve landlord-tenant disputes before they escalate to litigation
- Negotiate earn-outs and seller financing that protect their future
- Handle post-closing disputes discreetly and efficiently
FAQ: Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Do I need an attorney for a commercial lease?
Yes. Commercial leases are not standardized the way residential leases often are — nearly every provision is negotiable, and the terms you accept determine your obligations for the entire lease term (often five to ten years or longer). A commercial real estate attorney reviews the lease for hidden costs, missing protections, and unfavorable default provisions before you commit. The cost of legal review is a small fraction of what a bad lease provision costs over a multi-year term.
What due diligence should I do before buying commercial property?
Commercial property due diligence should include title search and examination, survey review, zoning verification, environmental assessment (Phase I and potentially Phase II), property condition report, lease audit (for income properties), lien and judgment searches, financial analysis, and review of existing contracts and permits. The specific scope depends on the property type, your intended use, and your financing requirements. We coordinate the full due diligence process and evaluate the results.
How should I structure ownership of commercial property?
Most commercial properties are held through LLCs rather than personal ownership because LLCs provide liability protection, flexible tax treatment, and easier transferability. Properties with multiple investors often use a multi-member LLC or a tiered LLC structure. The optimal structure depends on the number of owners, tax considerations, financing requirements, and your plans for the property. We coordinate with your tax advisor to recommend the right ownership structure.
What is a 1031 exchange and how does it work?
A 1031 exchange allows commercial property investors to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting sale proceeds into a like-kind replacement property within specific timeframes. You have 45 days to identify replacement properties and 180 days to close. The exchange must be facilitated through a qualified intermediary — you cannot touch the sale proceeds directly. We structure 1031 exchanges in coordination with qualified intermediaries and tax advisors to ensure compliance with IRS requirements.
Can Howard East handle a commercial real estate dispute?
Yes. Our commercial litigation team handles landlord-tenant disputes, lease enforcement actions, breach of purchase agreement claims, title disputes, and construction defect claims. Because our transactional team handled the deal and our litigators enforce it, we bring continuity to commercial real estate disputes without the ramp-up time an outside firm would need.