What makes Chaffe McCall ’s real estate finance
section different from other law firms? We establish unique
working relationships with our clients, learn the ins and
outs of their businesses, and act as a partner in every
endeavor.
That’s what we mean by partnering - not just responding to
requests for help, but actively coordinating our resources
to meet your specific goals. The real estate finance
practice at Chaffe McCall is multifaceted and supports the
full spectrum of our real estate practice. We represent
borrowers and lenders in the financing of all types of real
estate assets throughout the Gulf South. Our clients are
involved in acquisition, development, construction,
mezzanine and permanent loans, as well as project
financings. They include real estate developers, REITS,
pension funds, project sponsors, national retailers and
investment companies who invest in raw land, retail and
commercial projects, as well as commercial lending
institutions of all types.
We take a team approach on many financing transactions,
combining the expertise of real estate and financing
specialists to produce efficient and timely outcomes. Our
clients have grown to appreciate this approach and have
commented on many occasions how they have benefited from our
comprehensive handling of their financing needs. Chambers
USA noted that the section “excels at getting planning
applications and deals together very quickly.” This
approach allows us to offer proactive presentation on
everything from a single asset transaction to very complex
transactions with multiple parties over wide geographic
areas. We offer a results-oriented, time-sensitive service
our clients appreciate and can count on.
Chaffe McCall’s real estate finance group
has experience in acquiring properties to be assembled for
unified development. We assist our clients throughout the
zoning, permitting and licensing process. Through our title
insurance agency, Greater Gulf Title Insurance Agency, Inc.,
we are able to arrange title binders and deliver title
policies quickly when needed.
In addition to traditional financings, Chaffe McCall’s real
estate finance group also has extensive experience in tax
credit enhancement of real estate development financings.
Our practice includes representing parties involved in the
rehabilitation of historic structures that generate federal
and state historic rehabilitation tax credits, as well as
façade donations and tax abatements. We also represent
clients in transactions involving federal new markets tax
credits, Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds, and other incentives,
including PILOT and TIFF structures.
We also has broad experience in complex real estate loan
foreclosures, workouts and restructurings and regularly
collaborates with other practice areas in litigation and bankruptcy matters
involving real estate assets or issues. The
finance group also actively participates in M&A
transactions that have a real estate component.
Chaffe McCall’s Real Estate attorneys excel at the
fundamentals of the business — assisting clients with
buying, selling, developing, and operating properties. But
we’re not satisfied with covering the usual bases. Our
attorneys represent clients and handle matters in
all areas where real estate may be involved.
Instability in the financial markets combined with the
global economic downturn have presented parties involved in
today’s real estate market with the challenges of dealing
with the gauntlet of limited financing options, stricter
lending standards, and substantially depressed real estate
valuations. With this backdrop, it is essential to have
legal counsel possessing the breadth and depth of knowledge
and experience necessary to address the fallout issues that
are sure to follow.
At Chaffe McCall, real estate, finance, bankruptcy,
litigation and tax attorneys partner with clients to develop
a thorough consideration of all options and strategies
available to reach efficient and cost-effective solutions to
a wide range of problems that may arise as a result of the
financial crisis and economic downturn. With offices in New
Orleans and Baton Rouge, Chaffe McCall is well known to the
courts and financial and real estate market participants in
the region. We can provide the local presence that is so
often essential in addressing clients’ issues. The breadth
and depth of our experience, combined with our “partnering”
approach to providing legal services, give us the unique
ability to (a) analyze the possible risks and rewards before
investments are made or loans are closed and then (b) offer
comprehensive representation to financial
institutions, investment funds, and developers in real
estate transactions, loans, workouts, foreclosures and
bankruptcies.
Chaffe McCall’s real estate finance section has also
garnered international recognition. It was recently
chosen by Corporate International Magazine as the “Best Law
Firm in Louisiana for Real Estate Work” for 2009/10. The
head of the section, Howell Crosby, was named a Louisiana
Super Lawyer by Law & Politics and in 2009 was selected as
one of the top 10 Lawyers in the State of Louisiana. Mr.
Crosby was one of only six Louisiana lawyers included in the
International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers, which
publication identifies private practice lawyers with a
proven track record in providing advice to clients –
including tenants, investors and developers – on all aspects
of buying, selling, leasing, developing, and managing real
estate. Mr. Crosby is the Past President and a Fellow of
the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.
Chaffe McCall’s real estate finance section has also been
actively involved in the following bond issuances:
1. Diversified Foods and Seasonings of Nebraska, Inc.,
et. al
Chaffe McCall, LLP acted as counsel to Diversified Foods and
Seasonings of Nebraska, L.L.C., Diversified Foods and
Seasonings, Inc., and the Succession of Alvin C. Copeland
with respect to the issuance and delivery of the $2,500,000
County of Otoe, Nebraska Industrial Development Revenue
Bonds (Diversified Foods and Seasonings, Inc. Project)
Series 2008 and with respect to the Lease Agreement dated as
of May 1, 2008 among GE Government Finance, Inc., as lender
and as collateral agent, County of Otoe, Nebraska, as lessor
and Diversified Foods and Seasonings of Nebraska, L.L.C.
2. Bruno Wink, L.L.C.
Chaffe McCall, LLP acted as counsel to Bruno Wink, L.L.C.
(the "Company") in connection with the issuance by the St.
Tammany Parish Development District of the $7,800,000 ST.
TAMMANY PARISH DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Gulf Opportunity Zone
Revenue Bonds (Tammany Middle Project) Series 2008 and the
use by the Company of the proceeds thereof for the
acquisition, construction and installation of an
approximately 39,300 square foot class “B” office building
to be located at Highway 190 and I-12 in the City of
Covington, Parish of St. Tammany, State of Louisiana.
3. Tangi East, LLC
Chaffe McCall, LLP acted as counsel to Tangi East, LLC No. 1
d/b/a Nord du Lieu (the "Company") in connection with the
issuance by the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation of
the $5,500,000 Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Gulf
Opportunity Zone Revenue Bonds (Nord du Lieu Project) Series
2008 and the use by the Company of the proceeds thereof for
the acquisition, construction and installation of a retail
facility to be located in the City of Biloxi, Harrison
County, Mississippi.
4. Agem Management Services, L.L.C.
Chaffe McCall, LLP acted as counsel to Agem Management
Services, L.L.C., (the "Company") in connection with the
issuance by the Hammond Area Economic and Industrial
Development District of the $1,900,000 HAMMOND AREA ECONOMIC
AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Gulf Opportunity Zone
Revenue Bonds (Agem Management Services, L.L.C. Project)
Series 2008 and the use by the Company of the proceeds
thereof for the acquisition, construction and installation
of an approximately 14,000 square foot office building to be
located at 19184 Dr. John Lambert Drive, in the City of
Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.
5. 12/59 Properties, L.L.C.
Chaffe McCall, LLP acted as counsel to12/59 Properties,
L.L.C. (the "Company") in connection with the issuance by
the St. Tammany Parish Development District of the
$3,310,000 ST. TAMMANY PARISH DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Gulf
Opportunity Zone Revenue Bonds (12/59 Properties, L.L.C.
Project) Series 2008 and the use by the Company of the
proceeds thereof for the acquisition, construction and
installation of an approximately 13,400 square foot retail
center located at the corner of East I-12 and Highway 59 in
the City of Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.
6. B.C.S. Development, L.L.C.
Chaffe McCall, LLP acted as counsel to B.C.S. Development,
L.L.C. (the "Company") in connection with the issuance by
the St. Tammany Parish Development District of the
$3,680,000 ST. TAMMANY PARISH DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Gulf
Opportunity Zone Revenue Bonds (B.C.S. Development, L.L.C.
Project) Series 2008 and the use by the Company of the
proceeds thereof for the acquisition, construction and
installation of an approximately 24,856 square foot retail
shopping facility to be located at municipal address 70325
Highway 1077 in the City of Covington, St. Tammany Parish,
Louisiana.
7. 1077 Properties, L.L.C.
Chaffe McCall, LLP acted as counsel to 1077 Properties,
L.L.C. (the "Company") in connection with the issuance by
the St. Tammany Parish Development District of the
$2,240,000 ST. TAMMANY PARISH DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Gulf
Opportunity Zone Revenue Bonds (1077 Properties, L.L.C.
Project) Series 2008 and the use by the Company of the
proceeds thereof for the acquisition, construction and
installation of an approximately 17,775 square foot office
complex to be located in the City of Covington, St. Tammany
Parish, Louisiana.
8. Diversified Foods and Seasonings, Inc.
Chaffe McCall, LLP acted as counsel to Diversified Foods and
Seasonings, Inc. in connection with the issuance and sale by
the St. Tammany Parish Development District (formerly, the
St. Tammany Parish Economic and Industrial Development
District) of the $15,380,000 St. Tammany Parish Economic and
Industrial Development District, Taxable Revenue Bonds
(Diversified Foods and Seasonings, Inc. Project), Series
2002 and the issuance by the Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank
of its Letter of Credit.
