Seeking an in-house attorney position with a regional or national corporation allowing me to utilize my development, construction and environmental law experience.
EXPERIENCE
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY
Corporate Counsel
Atlanta, Georgia
November 2007 - February 2009
Served as regional attorney for world's largest coffee company. Responsible for legal matters related to store development and operations within a 10 state area. Managed and resolved disputes related to construction, contractor liens, maintenance, payments, vendors and enforcement of lease rights. Negotiated and prepared leases, distribution agreements, vendor contracts, amendments, lease terminations and other agreements in support of store development and portfolio management objectives. Supported litigation defense and managed outside counsel as necessary. Authored Starbucks' new sublease form and environmental due diligence process.
COMMUNITY LOANS OF AMERICA, INC.
Real Estate Counsel
Atlanta, Georgia
December 2004 - November 2007
Responsible for all legal aspects of real estate and licensing for national, privately held payday and title loan lender with over 640 locations in 27 states. Negotiated and prepared leases, amendments, purchase agreements and vendor contracts. Responsible for all owned property acquisition and disposition. Managed department personnel and outside counsel regarding construction, maintenance and landlord-tenant issues. Implemented procedures for tracking internal management approvals, due diligence, document review and issue resolution. Handled environmental, OSHA, premise liability, zoning and condemnations. Lead attorney for disaster recovery and associated insurance claims. Provided legal support for company operations.
S.C. DEPT. HEALTH / ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Staff Counsel
Columbia, South Carolina
August 2004 - December 2004
Served as litigation counsel for state environmental agency. Prosecuted drinking and storm water regulation violations. Reviewed and edited administrative orders issued by the agency. Provided counsel on voluntary cleanup contracts under state's brownfields statute. Negotiated with industry representatives regarding general industrial discharge permit modifications.
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
Senior Development Counsel
Spartanburg, South Carolina
August 2001 – May 2003
Responsible for all legal aspects of national, growth-oriented real estate program for ground-up expansion of StudioPlus, Extended Stay America and Crossland hotel brands. Successfully directed litigation involving contractor liens, condemnations and common area maintenance disputes. Managed and assisted a team of internal real estate and construction professionals and external counsel/consultants in all phases of pre-acquisition due diligence, permitting and approvals. Served as a company-wide resource for environmental matters, including property contamination, wetlands, monitoring, mold and OSHA issues. Offered general legal support for company operations. Managed and supervised outside counsel and department personnel.
JOHNSON, SMITH, HIBBARD & WILDMAN, L.L.P.
Partner
Spartanburg, South Carolina
October 1995 - August 2001
Handled commercial real estate, leasing, land use and environmental matters for local and regional developers of office, warehouse and retail projects, including grocery-anchored shopping centers. Served as outside real estate/leasing counsel for a national hotel chain and nation's largest payday loan company. Conducted litigation and appeals involving landlord/tenant matters, evictions, collections, personal injury and consumer matters.
EDUCATION
PACE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
White Plains, New York
LL.M. Environmental Law, 1994
CUMBERLAND SCHOOL OF LAW, SAMFORD UNIVERSITY
Birmingham, Alabama
J.D., 1993
NEWBERRY COLLEGE
Newberry, South Carolina
B.A. in Political Science 1988
BAR ADMISSION
Admitted in South Carolina, 1993
Member, American Bar Association
REPRESENTATIVE TRANSACTIONS
In-House Counsel
Starbucks Coffee Company
- Provided legal support and documentation for closure of 61 Starbucks locations and negotiated terminations of 26 retail leases.
- Successfully coordinated response to general contactor's claim for payment of unauthorized change orders for work and materials on 7 Starbucks locations. Claim value exceeded $515,000.00.
- Directed response to lien claims exceeding $300,000.00 from 28 subcontractors on 8 Starbucks locations resulting from bankruptcy of general contractor.
Community Loans of America
- Successfully negotiated leases and obtained state licensing for over 140 locations in 19 states.
- Obtained extensions of lease term (via options or amendments) for over 190 locations.
- Assisted in six corporate acquisitions involving 36 locations by serving as primary contact for landlords, conducting due diligence, preparing assignments, estoppel certificates, amendments and obtaining state licensing.
- Directed a sale-leaseback transaction consisting of ten properties having a transaction value of over $1,015,000.00
Extended Stay America
- Coordinated over 30 real estate transactions from contract negotiation to closing, including oversight of title, survey, environmental, zoning and other due diligence.
- Development values ranged from $5,000,000.00 to $12,000,000.00.
Private Practice
Land Purchases/Extended Stay America hotels: Drafted and negotiated contracts and handled closing of land purchases for Extended Stay America hotels in over 30 transactions in the following states: Alabama, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. Land values ranged from $500,000.00 to $4,500,000.00; development values ranged from $5,000,000.00 to $10,000,000.00.
Commercial Retail Leases: Reviewed approximately 40 commercial retail leases for Advance America Cash Advance Centers, one of the nation’s largest deferred deposit/payday loan companies. Rent values ranged from $35,000.00 to $100,000.00.
Property Accumulation/Ground Lease: Represented local developer/landlord in a multi-party transaction involving an accumulation of property and ground lease to a national operator of travel centers. Lease value exceeded $10,000,000.00.
Industrial Facility Purchase/Equipment Leasing and Financing: Lead attorney representing a global supplier and processor of synthetic fibers in the purchase of a large industrial facility. Transaction involved significant equipment leasing and financing. Transaction value exceeded $30,000,000.00.
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