James T Mayer
USA Guide 2023
Band 4 : Real Estate
Band 4
About
Provided by James T Mayer
Practice Areas
James Mayer is a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Real Estate group and focuses his practice on all aspects of real estate law, with extensive experience in retail, office, medical office and industrial leasing, purchases, and sales.
Career
I focus my practice on commercial real estate law, including all aspects of real estate acquisition, development, leasing, operation, management, and disposition. My clients include real estate pension funds, investment advisory groups (for their own accounts and unrelated third parties), real estate investment trusts, national and international franchisors, financial institutions, commercial and residential developers, and office, retail, medical office and industrial landlords and tenants. My work also includes acquisitions of hotels, sports facilities development and real estate finance. I was one of the principal attorneys who represented Miami-Dade County in connection with the drafting and negotiating of the development, management, and operating agreements for the Miami Heat Arena. I also represented McDonald’s Corporation as lead counsel in negotiating its lease which resulted in the relocation of its world headquarters from the Chicago suburbs to the City of Chicago. In addition, I represented the landlord in negotiating the lease to relocate the world headquarters of Caterpillar from Peoria to Deerfield, IL.
My practice also includes representation of clients on retail, office, medical office, industrial, and health care related leasing transactions, including the representation of the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois in connection with joint ventures with Simon Property Group, Brookfield Properties, and CBL in various retail leasing matters, including anchor tenant leasing.
I am regularly asked to speak on real estate related topics, in particular retail-related topics, at various conferences and events, including workshops and seminars for ICSC. I am also a member of the planning committee for ICSC.
Looking ahead
Real estate is in the process of significant changes and challenges, relating to office assets in 2023 and beyond. I foresee opportunities beyond the typical asset classes, such as industrial, storage facilities and retail expanding to include experiential uses and health care related uses, such as medical office buildings and in-patient facilities, medical and dental practices with the potential for joint venture opportunities.
Professional Memberships
Green Advantage, Board of Directors
American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Retail Subcommittee
ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers), Planning Committee
Sustainability: The Journal of Record, Editorial Board
Personal
Emory University, B.A., with high honors
Emory University, Goizueta Business School, M.B.A.
Emory University School of Law, J.D.