Contact: Mark Fefer, Marketing Communications, 206.757.8583 or markfefer@dwt.com
DECEMBER 10, 2014 – Michael A. Zahn, an attorney with 17 years of experience handling significant commercial real estate transactions, has joined the Portland office of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.
Zahn comes to the firm from Portland-based Harsch Investment Corp., one of the leading, privately held real estate investment companies in the western U.S. As associate general counsel and assistant secretary at Harsch, he was responsible for all legal- and many business-related activities in the acquisition and disposition of vacant, industrial/flex, multi-family, office, and retail properties across six states. In his 9 1/2 years with the company, he executed transactions totaling nearly $1 billion in combined value.
"We’re thrilled to bring our clients the benefit of Mike’s wide-ranging real estate experience," said Marco de Sa e Silva, chair of Davis Wright Tremaine’s real estate and land use practice group. "The breadth of his knowledge and skill across property classes and regions is exceptional."
"As a result of his many years with Harsch, Mike is also a leading member of the Portland real estate legal community," said Gene Grant, a leader of DWT’s Portland practice.
"Having managed outside counsel, I know the importance of having a team whose values match your own," said Zahn. "I'm delighted to be able to join a group that has done such outstanding work for clients all over the country."
Prior to joining Harsch, Zahn served as director of investments for Summit Properties, a publicly traded REIT, where he helped manage the capital recycling program, including the acquisition and disposition of properties, in the Atlanta, Ga., South Florida, Raleigh, N.C., Texas, and Washington, D.C. markets. He has also previously served as a commercial real estate attorney at law firms in Charlotte, NC, and Milwaukee, Wis.
At Harsch, Zahn covered all facets of transaction work, including drafting and negotiating letters of intent, purchase and sale agreements, and closing documents; reviewing title and survey; resolving matters discovered during due diligence; and performing all other activities associated with closing.
He was also responsible for drafting and negotiating office and industrial leases in each market; resolving leasing and tenant issues for on-site management staff; managing litigation with outside legal counsel; drafting and negotiating joint venture agreements; drafting and negotiating ancillary real estate agreements such as covenants and restrictions, licenses, easement agreements, and service contracts; assisting with the review and negotiation of loan documents; overseeing complex environmental compliance challenges in conjunction with state agencies; and handling takings and condemnation actions.
Zahn’s recent projects include the negotiation of an 181,000-square foot office lease and the sale of a large retail shopping center at a price of over $180 million.
Zahn received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a national law firm with nine offices and approximately 500 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. Its robust practice makes DWT a market leader in West Coast real estate. For more information, visit www.dwt.com.