Retired, Senior Counsel
John H. Lewis
Practice Areas
- Commercial Development & Leasing
- Lending, Finance and Investment
John Lewis works with clients ranging from individuals to nonprofits to Fortune 50 businesses on acquisition, disposition, development, finance, leasing and corporate transactions. He has significant expertise in urban and suburban mixed-use developments and is well-versed in the establishment and dissolution of joint ventures, the administration and dissolution of real estate investment trusts, loan workouts and foreclosures, property administration and leasing, and oversight of lender participation in borrower bankruptcy proceedings.
Representative Experience
- Represented major retailers, developers and others in acquisition and development of retail and mixed-use projects nationwide
- Represented lenders and borrowers in financing commercial real estate projects
- Represented landlords and tenants in negotiating commercial leases in retail, office, industrial and specialized commercial locations
- Provided counsel in corporate law, business transactions and securities law
- Coordinated the successful life insurance industry support and negotiation of California legislation regarding certain lender remedies
- Provided counsel regarding real estate and loan assets of merging institutional investors
Education
- University of Florida Frederic G. Levin College of Law, J.D., 1979
- Florida State University, B.S. in Government and Economics, 1977
Publications
- “Retail in Mixed-Use Projects: Considerations in Development and Leasing”; Retail Law Strategies, 2014
- “Where’s the Door? Operating Covenants, Exclusives and Tenant Exit Strategies”; Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy, 2009
- “The Party’s Over – Considerations in Drafting and Negotiating Early Lease Terminations”; Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy, 2006
- “Lease Drafting and Negotiation: Don’t Forget the Details”; Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy, 2003
- “Landlord Concerns: Finding Practical Solutions to the Mortgage of a Leasehold with an Operating Covenant”; Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy, 2002
- “Internet Sales and Percentage Rent: A Practical (and Pre-Existing) Solution” (Co-Author); Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy, 2001
Industry Engagement
- Co-Presenter, Special Purpose Entities in Real Estate Transactions: Structuring and Documentation (2017)
- Speaker, U.S. Shopping Center Law Conference, ICSC (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- Fellow, American College of Mortgage Attorneys (Vice Chair, Bylaws Committee)
- Member, ICSC
- Member, Lawyer Pilots Bar Association
Awards
- AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Fun Stuff
John particularly enjoys spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends, as well as traveling to both old and new destinations. Other favorite activities include sailing and powerboating, and John is also a licensed pilot.