AREAS OF PRACTICE

Types of Disputes Lapin Mediation Can Help You Work Through

Project Development and Construction
Some of the issues that fall under this heading are large mixed-use development projects, including site acquisition, land use and zoning, leasing, construction land sales registration, property management and a broad range of related matters. Mr. Lapin was retained for a year as the manager of Orange County MCAS El Toro Master Development Program; this immense project was undertaken by the county to evaluate the acquisition of the large Marine air station at El Toro for use as a commercial airport.

Acquisition and Sale of Real Estate
Mr. Lapin’s experience in structuring and negotiating real estate purchases, sale and exchange transactions including major office buildings, multifamily residential, industrial, retail, and commercial properties is extensive.

Commercial, Office and Residential Leasing
This type of dispute involves regularly reviewing, negotiating and drafting commercial leases, including office, warehouse, and ground leases. In addition, Mr. Lapin has handled matters concerning regional and national retailers and office tenants in connection with the negotiation of shopping centers and office space leases throughout California.

Real Estate Financing
Financing is usually the crux of the deal. Mr. Lapin has experience dealing with major real estate lenders, including foreign and domestic commercial banks and insurance companies, in connection with construction, interim and permanent financing for a variety of real estate projects, such as office buildings, hotels, shopping centers, office parks and apartment development. He has been involved in situations that included conventional financing methods, wraparound financing, convertible or equity-sharing mortgages, and deferred and negative amortization notes.

Land Use
He has handled a wide variety of land use and environmental matters. These include assisting parties in obtaining permits for projects such as subdivisions, planned unit and master planned developments, major office buildings, hotels and high technology facilities. Mr. Lapin has worked with parties to obtain required governmental approvals and entitlements, including compliance with the national and state environmental policy acts.

Real Estate Brokerage
Mr. Lapin, a licensed Real Estate Broker for more than thirty-six years, has worked with several major real estate brokers involved in commercial and industrial sales, and leasing activities. This includes preparation of real estate forms in wide usage, consultation on the structuring of transactions, and disputes regarding claims brought by and against brokers.

Project Workouts, Foreclosures and Forfeitures
Mr. Lapin has extensive experience in workouts and debt renegotiations involving real estate. He has been actively involved in foreclosures of mortgages, deeds of trust and other real property security interests, and forfeitures of real estate contracts involving properties such as large office buildings and shopping center complexes.