WHY LOCKE LORD
Public and private real estate investment trusts (REITs) are subject to complex rules under the Internal Revenue Code, and related compliance demands extensive technical skills. Our deep experience in REIT tax issues have made this a key area of practice. We help clients organize REITs, including umbrella partnerships or UpREITs, maintain REIT qualification, effect capitalization transactions (including equity and debt offerings) and engage in the full spectrum of deals involving REITs, including acquisitions, dispositions and joint venture transactions. We also help with structuring and other advice relating to UpREIT partnerships, DownREIT partnerships, taxable REIT subsidiaries and other entities in which REIT clients invest.
We help clients structure and effect acquisition and other investment transactions and advise on tax and regulatory matters to achieve their business objectives.
Our clients comprise REITs operating in a broad range of industries, including:
- National and international owners/operators of apartment complexes
- Industrial and warehouse properties
- Hotels
- Office buildings
- Shopping centers
We stay apprised of industry trends and understand the legal and business underpinnings of complex REIT structures and transactions.
Our multidisciplinary work requires us to coordinate with lawyers from our corporate and securities, financial services and real estate practices, providing you with the added benefit of in-depth knowledge in those areas. We handle the full spectrum of tax, regulatory, financial, organizational and other matters, including:
- Initial public offerings
- Public and private offerings of equity and debt securities
- Restructurings
- M&A transactions
- Going-private transactions