Tai C. Tran

Tai Tran is a member of Locke Lord's Executive Committee. His practice covers a broad spectrum of commercial real estate and finance transactions, including real estate acquisitions and sales, development and leasing, and acquisition, construction and permanent financing. Tai represents investors, developers and lenders on a wide range of real estate and business transaction matters involving office, multifamily, industrial, retail, hotel and mixed-use projects in Texas and other states. He regularly handles complex real estate matters for private equity firms, real estate funds, financial institutions, owners and developers, and also frequently represents landlords and tenants on commercial leases. Tai has extensive experience representing state and national banks on commercial loan workouts, restructures and foreclosures. He also represents both private and public universities on commercial real estate and other business matters. Tai is known for his responsiveness and ability to close complex transactions with his clients' best interests in mind. He is consistently recognized by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers®.

Tai's representative experience includes: 

Real Estate Acquisition and Development

Tai has significant experience in advising and counseling owners, developers and investors in acquiring, developing and selling land and improvements for multifamily, retail, commercial, industrial and residential real estate projects, including condominiums and mixed-use developments and student housing facilities. He also represents developers of master planned communities in connection with single family residential lot development and sales to homebuilders. Recent matters include:

• Representation of developer in connection with acquisitions and dispositions of multifamily and mixed-use projects in Texas, California, Colorado, Florida and Washington
• Representation of developer in connection with ILSA filings involving luxury high-rise development in Austin and Houston
• Representation of developers with respect to condominium conversion projects throughout Texas
• Representation of lending institutions in connection with operation and sales of REO assets
• Representation of developers on land acquisition and development of master planned communities and single family residential lot sales to homebuilders in Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee

Real Estate and Commercial Lending 

Tai has represented several major national and state lending institutions with their respective acquisition, development and construction financing activities in Texas and other states. His experience also covers a wide range of commercial lending and corporate finance transactions, including loan syndication, asset-based lending, subordinated debt and mezzanine financing. His experience includes:

• Representation of national banking association on syndicated and non-syndicated construction facilities in excess of $250 million for phased development of large mixed-use project in Austin, Texas
• Representation of national bank on development and construction facilities in excess of $165 million relating to phased multifamily projects in McKinney, Texas
• Representation of lenders on various construction matters, including development of retail shopping centers, hotels, condominiums and multifamily projects in Texas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Minnesota, Wyoming and other states
• $42 million facility to plastic container manufacturer involving multistate warehouse locations leased by the manufacturer or operated by third-party warehousemen
• $40 million facility to commercial industry parts wholesaler and retailer involving assets in the United States and Canada
• $35 million facility to residential and construction parts provider secured by assets in multiple states

Workouts, Restructures and Foreclosures

Tai represents numerous financial institutions, including federal savings banks, life insurance companies, and various state and national banking associations in workouts, restructures and foreclosures concerning commercial real and personal property in Texas, California, Illinois and other states. He has substantial experience negotiating forbearance agreements, resolving priority of lien issues and examining lender liability claims on behalf of lenders as well as debtors. Tai also represents lenders and investors in connection with the acquisition, disposition and financing of REO assets. Recent example transactions include:

• Representation of state chartered bank in connection with workout involving multiple retail, office and condominium projects in California and Texas, including loan assignments and participations
• Representation of Houston-based bank on a restructure and foreclosure relating to commercial subdivision project in Travis County
• Representation of developer on deed in lieu transaction involving complex mechanics and materialmen's lien claims and issues

Landlord and Tenant Representation 

Tai regularly represents both landlords and tenants with respect to office, retail and industrial projects in Texas and other states. In connection with workouts and foreclosures, he advises clients on a broad range of lease subordination and rental issues relating to foreclosure of liens. His experience includes:

• Representation of commercial landlord in connection with office leasing and subleasing of premises in San Antonio and Austin
• Representation of tenant on lease of industrial property in Louisiana for purposes of manufacturing metal parts
• Representation of developer on ground lease of state-owned property or purposes of multi-use development

General Corporate and Transactional Matters

Tai has a wide range of experience in private equity and general corporate transactions, including the following:

• Representation of private equity firm in connection with its $39 billion takeover of a multinational gaming and entertainment company in 2007, including due diligence and handling of gaming licenses
• Representation of private university with regard to its general corporate and financing activities