Service Areas
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
- University of Michigan, B.B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Ronald E. Hodess is the Practice Group Leader of the Real Estate Group for the firm. Ron brings practical expertise to legal transactions often involving complex multi-jurisdictional real estate and construction projects. He is particularly skilled in negotiating and structuring such transactions and assisting clients from the starting gate through the finish line. For example, Ron represents contractors on $325 million of construction for the Freedom Tower being built at “Ground Zero“ in New York City. His extensive track record also includes representing national and foreign corporations on hundreds of millions of dollars worth of economic development incentives for various projects throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
"Listening to clients is always paramount."
Ronald E. Hodess
Ron’s commercial real estate expertise includes real estate finance, construction law, commercial leasing, and all aspects of commercial development. He also handles procurement, negotiation and consulting on state and local economic development incentives and tax abatements. For the construction industry, his expertise includes construction law, construction risk management, construction contracts, architect agreements, construction claims and liens, bonding, surety law, insurance issues and bidding issues.
Experience
Ron is recognized in Chambers USA attorney guide, which states he "leads the group and often advises on complicated multi-state, multi-million dollar development and construction projects where clients appreciate his 'excellent attention to details.'"
He has worked on over $10 billion worth of real estate construction and development projects throughout the U.S.
Ron and his team helped a client save over $49 million in state, county and local tax incentives in a case he considers particularly rewarding because it allowed the client to achieve its goals while providing positive economic impacts to the community.
"Adding value is what we are all about."
Representative Matters
- Manufacturing Plant Expansion Project
Represented corporate real estate group in obtaining over $68 million in grants, tax abatements, tax credits, and recovery zone economic development bonds for manufacturing plant located in North Carolina.
- Energy Company Greenfield Plant Development
Represented manufacturing company in obtaining over $58 million in tax abatements, job training grants, and other incentives for new alternative energy related facility. Also handled lease acquisition and construction contracts for project in Kansas.
- Manufacturing Company Leasing and Construction Portfolio
Represented Fortune 100 company on national real estate portfolio including over $1 billion in leases, construction, and economic incentive projects.
- Airport Finance and Construction Project
Represented construction manager in connection with construction of Detroit Midfield Terminal airport project.
- National Construction Manager Renovation Project
Represented construction manager on $350 million office building renovation project located in Michigan.
- National Corporation Real Estate Representation
Representation of national corporation in connection with over $2 billion of real estate owned, leased, and constructed throughout the United States.
- Public Utility Company Financing Transaction
Representation of public utility in connection with leveraged lease financing transaction involving $60 million of rolling stock.
- Public Utility Company Sale/Leaseback
Representation of public utility in connection with sale/leaseback of $100 million of power plant equipment.
- Sports Arena Finance and Construction Project
Representation of the construction manager in connection with construction of Ford Field football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan.
- Sports Facility Construction and Financing
Representation of the owner/developer in connection with design construction and project financing of Comerica Park baseball stadium located in Detroit Michigan.
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; Construction Law Forum
- State Bar of Michigan, past Chair, Special Committee on Construction Law; Real Property Law Section
- Oakland County Bar Association, Real Estate Section
Honors + Awards
- Best Lawyers in America, Construction, Real Estate Law 2006-present
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Real Estate 2006-present
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers, Real Estate, 2005-present
- DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Real Estate 2011
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- The Friendship Circle, Executive Committee; Board of Directors
- Autism Alliance of Michigan, Board of Directors
- Autism Society of America, Oakland County Chapter, past Co-chair, Annual Fundraiser
- JARC (Jewish Association for Residential Care), past Board of Directors
- Leadership Oakland IV, Oakland County, Michigan
- Jewish Community Council, past Member Board of Directors
- Autism Insurance in Michigan (AIM), Co-Leader
Publications
"Design-Build Construction Contracts," Hot Points, Fall 2001
"Real Estate Development Incentives," Hot Points, Summer 2001
"New Land Development Law," Hot Points Summer 1997
"Third Party Legal Opinions: The Next Generation," (Co-author), Michigan Real Property Review, Fall 1992
"Plain Language in Title Insurance Policies," Michigan Bar Journal, February 1990
"Revisions to the ALTA Title Insurance Policy Forms," Michigan Bar Journal, Spring 1988
Speeches
"Real Estate Law," (Guest Lecturer), Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, September 2009
Michigan Bankers' Association Seminar on Financing Urban Redevelopment, (Panel member), April 1993
"Lender Environmental Liability: EPA Rules Create New Guidelines for Secured Lenders," Risk Management Association, August 1992
Seminars + Events
- Corporate Real Estate Review Series: Corporate Site Selection Planning and Incentives
- Cappuccino with Counsel: The Dynamic World of Real Estate and Economic Development Incentives: Past, Present and Future
- International Climate Law and Policy Symposium
- Cappuccino with Counsel: Buried Treasure - Uncovered Opportunities in Commercial Real Estate
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