Michael Alessio

Practice Areas

Real Estate Development & Investments

Single-Family Rental and Build-For-Rent

Career

Mike Alessio's multistate practice involves a wide variety of commercial real estate transactions, with a focus on the representation of institutional equity investors and developers in multifamily, industrial, office, hotel/resort, mixed-use, and portfolio transactions. He assists clients across the country from the earliest stages of transactions, using his extensive knowledge and experience to provide a hybrid of business and legal solutions.

Mike's broad range of experience includes the acquisition and disposition of investment-grade property, commercial development, office and retail leasing, and a broad range of financing transactions. Mike has extensive experience representing borrowers in connection with Agency financing for multifamily transactions.

A member of our Real Estate Development & Investments Practice since 1995, Mike also serves as a member of our Board of Directors and is a member of our Legal Opinion Committee and our Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He formerly chaired our law school hiring program and Recruiting Committee.

Professional Memberships

Salesmanship Club of Dallas (2012-present; Golf Board, Tournament Vice Chair)

Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (Board of Directors, 2010-2016)

The da Vinci School (Advisory Board, 2008-2010)

Leadership Dallas (Class of 2001-2002); Legacy Dallas (2009-2010)

The Real Estate Council (Sustaining Member, 1997-present); Community Leadership Committee (2008-2009); TREC Legacy Project Advisory Committee (2001); TREC Skills Bank (Founding Member, 2000); TREC Technical Assistance Committee (1999); TREC Associate Leadership Council (Class of 1998-1999)

State Bar of Texas (1995-present)

College of the State Bar of Texas (2000-present)

Dallas Bar Foundation Fellow (2005-present)

Dallas Bar Real Estate Discussion Group (Contributing Member, 2000-2018)

UT Law School (Mortgage Lending Institute Planning Committee, 2003-2008)

SMU Law School Dean Selection Committee (Alumni Member, 1997-1998)

Recipient, Dallas Bar Association Citation for Exemplary Pro Bono Service to the Community (1999)

Publications

The Best Lawyers in America, (BL Rankings, LLC), 2012-2025

The Best Lawyers in America, (BL Rankings, LLC), "Lawyer of the Year" - Real Estate, 2020

Best Real Estate Deals Award Winner, Dallas Business Journal, 2003, 2009

Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2021-2024

Chambers USA Guide to America, Chambers & Partners Publishing, 2006-2025

Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2005-2020, 2022-2024

Texas Rising Star, Thomson Reuters, 2004-2005

Best Lawyers in Dallas Under 40, D Magazine, 2002, 2005-2007

Jerry Charles Saegert Award for Best CLE Paper (2001 UT Mortgage Lending Institute)

Experience

Acquisitions and Dispositions: Multi-site and multi-jurisdictional portfolio acquisitions and the related debt and equity structuring on behalf of pension plans, REITs, private equity funds, educational foundations, and other long-term public and private equity investors and funds

Joint Venture Investments: Represents private equity firms, pension funds, educational foundations, and fund advisors in the structuring, negotiation, and administration of multi-party joint ventures for all stages of the life cycle of a real estate investment

Debt Acquisition: Represents institutional and entrepreneurial investors in the purchase and restructuring of senior and junior debt facilities, distressed debt, and distressed real estate assets, and the process and strategy of gaining control of distressed real estate

Development: Represents developers and investors in all stages of the development of retail centers, multifamily projects, industrial facilities, hotel and resort projects, and office build-to-suit and speculative projects

Finance: Represents a wide variety of institutional lenders, life companies, and banks in connection with debt and equity transactions, permanent and construction financing, mezzanine financing, and preferred equity transactions

Leasing: Negotiates office, retail and industrial leases and subleases, and retail development ground leases, with significant experience in restaurant leasing representing the tenant's side

Education