Shipman & Goodwin has extensive, diverse experience in real estate law. More than a dozen attorneys in our Hartford, Stamford and Greenwich offices, supported by experienced paralegals, devote their practices primarily to real estate. We have been centrally involved in many of the highest profile and most complex real estate transactions in the State of Connecticut. The services provided by our real estate group include:
Real Estate Conveyancing, Development and Finance
Our real estate attorneys are involved in all aspects of real estate conveyancing, development and finance. We advise clients on a wide array of real estate issues in the sale and acquisition of real property, including title matters, easements, permitting, §1031 like-kind exchanges, mergers and tax incentives. We represent real estate developers in the entire development process, including permitting, construction, contracting and financing. Our development experience includes hotel, shopping center, residential and office projects. We also counsel both lender and borrower clients on a variety of financing alternatives, including first mortgage financing, mezzanine financing, multi-level financing with intercreditor arrangements, revenue bond and other tax-exempt financing, and various types of equity investment.
Commercial Leasing
Shipman & Goodwin's commercial leasing lawyers have extensive experience in all types of commercial leasing, including shopping centers, office buildings, medical facilities, industrial and technology parks, parking garages, restaurants, commercial airports, apartments and condominiums, and collateral issues such as environmental due diligence and compliance, assignments, subleasing, brokerage agreements and subordination and nondisturbance issues. The members of the practice also have in-depth experience with ground and air-rights leasing and sale-leaseback transactions. The lawyers practicing in this area routinely represent landlords and tenants throughout the state, the region and nationally.
Land Use
We have extensive experience in virtually every aspect of local land use regulation. We appear regularly before local zoning, planning and wetlands commissions and boards throughout Connecticut.
Eminent Domain/Condemnation
Shipman & Goodwin has considerable experience in representing condemning authorities in connection with the acquisition and assemblage of large and complex real estate development projects. We also regularly represent property owners who are negotiating and appealing the value of their condemned property. Our land use attorneys are among the most experienced in Connecticut on eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and valuation/compensation issues. We are conversant with the various valuation theories, techniques and procedures employed by real estate appraisers, particularly when the taking involves only a portion of the owner's real estate, as is the usual situation with the acquisition of a utility or highway right-of-way interest. Such acquisitions often require the expertise of civil engineers, surveyors and other land use experts, and our attorneys have considerable experience in dealing with these professionals in their various disciplines.
Common Interest Ownership
Shipman & Goodwin's common interest ownership representation includes extensive experience in residential and commercial condominium developments, representing lenders, developers and unit owner associations. Since 1998 we have represented the largest and most valuable homeowners association in the state, covering more than 1400 acres and having an assessed value in excess of $1 billion. Our group includes Barry Hawkins, one of the co-authors of the Connecticut Condominium Manual, the definitive source of the most widely used documents and commentary for common interest community development.