How to Pick a Real Estate Attorney
Part 4
By Tony Ozelis

For Leasing, Subleasing & Purchase Contracts

Finding an attorney experienced in negotiating retail leases, subleases and purchase agreements is a little harder because they pretty much practice their profession on the phone and behind closed doors. You can camp out all you want at planning board meeting and unless they’re putting in a new pool, you probably won’t run into one there.

Fortunately, they’re not exactly needles in the haystack either. There are lots of experienced ones to choose from all over the country and fortunately you usually don’t have to use a local attorney for this.

Although there are many different rules, laws and regulations all across the land, we’ve had some great success using law firms from different parts of the country. Just make sure that, as with their dirt-devil counterparts, they have experience with your specific requirements, charge relatively acceptable fees and you trust them to give you the proper guidance.

Another very important quality is the ability to turn all documents around quickly. Remember, deals don’t get better with age and if your lawyer takes too long to make changes and get back to the landlord, a better deal for them may come along. Since many landlord's use in-house attorneys, they can pull the deal from you without incurring any large expenses. You, of course, probably won’t have the same attitude or luck. 

If we had to make a list of the most important things your attorney can do for you, it would be this; 1). Protect your Rights 2). Quickly.

No matter what your legal needs are; always spend a little time identifying the right attorney for your particular needs. Good attorneys can save you and your business thousands of dollars and lots of grief both now and well into the future. They are an important and integral part of any good business structure and a professional relationship that should build over the years.

Hence Ozelis’ Rule:
If you don’t understand something, ask your attorney

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About the Author: Tony Ozelis is a real estate development consultant and frequent contributor to LocationIsland.com.  Mr. Ozelis' 23 year career has primarily been focused on restaurant and retail development throughout the United States where he has served as a Director of Real Estate for companies such as Pizza Hut, Inc., Boston Chicken, 7-Eleven and Wendy's International.

With well over 700 successful projects completed to date; he has been at the forefront of incorporating new technologies into corporate real estate development and regularly teaches on subjects such as; Strategic Market Development Planning, Contract Negotiations and incorporating Green Technologies into site design.

Mr. Ozelis is a member of both the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).