Mr. Stoke's practice emphasizes real estate and business transactions. He worked for one of the largest law firms in the country before leaving to handle real estate and business matters throughout the world for Dole Food Company from 1993-1995. Mr. Stoke joined Procopio immediately thereafter.
Representative Matters
Real Estate
· Representation of buyers and sellers in the transfer of developed and undeveloped properties of all sizes and varieties throughout the United States. Purchase transactions include mixed collateral financing, sale-leaseback transactions, title, zoning, easements, asbestos abatement, seismic compliance, and environmental matters
· Representation of owners and developers of retail, office, industrial, power generation, apartment, condominium, and mixed-use projects throughout Southern California. Matters include land use approvals, development agreements, demolition/building permits, airspace easements, environmental impact reports, construction financing, construction contracts, architectural contracts and special appearances before city, county and state boards and commissions.
· Representation of landlords and tenants in major lease transactions for office, retail, financial, industrial, research and development, distribution and telecommunications facilities.
· Representation of developers and underwriters in the issuance of tax-exempt bonds to finance public, public-private and non-profit single family and multifamily housing projects.
Corporate & Business
· Representation of a wide-range of clients in the formation of various business ventures (corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies).
· Representation of start-up, mid-size, and fortune 500 companies regarding finance matters (venture capital, interim and long-term debt, letters of credit, guaranties and equipment financing).
· Representation of buyers and sellers of commercial products regarding a variety of commercial contracts (materials procurement, manufacturing, sales, distribution, worldwide exclusivity agreements).
· Representation of buyers and sellers in merger and acquisition transactions worth in excess of $250 million.
· Representation of technology companies regarding protection of proprietary information (trade secrets, patents, trademarks, software licenses, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements).
· Representation of employees regarding human resource matters (employment agreements, non-compete agreements, employer terminations, and defense of employment claims).
· Representation of worldwide provider of satellite equipment and services with vendor and customer contracts to deliver television, voice and data communications throughout the world.
· Representation of worldwide supplier of ground-based wireless infrastructure equipment for transmission voice and high-speed data into international markets.
· Representation of leading silicon chip manufacturer for worldwide distribution and use in telecommunications equipment.
Finance and Workouts
· Representation of banks and private lenders in regard to all aspects of secured lending for business and commercial real estate.
· Representation of borrowers in regard to negotiation and documentation of loan modifications and other workout arrangements.
· Representation of buyers and sellers of non-single family distressed assets, including the purchase of loans and loan portfolios.
Education, Distinctions & Community Involvement
Mr. Stoke received his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California at Davis in 1982. He was selected to participate in the prestigious Coro Foundation Fellowship program (San Francisco) in 1983 before receiving his law degree from Loyola Law School in 1986. Mr. Stoke was admitted to practice in the California and federal courts in 1986. He is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell.
Mr. Stoke served as chairman of the Zoning and Land Use Subsection of the State Bar of California during 1992-1994, and assisted with substantive review and comment upon the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). He is currently a member of the Commercial Real Estate Committee of the USD Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate, the Urban Land Institute, the American Corporate Counsel Association, and the Real Estate and Business sections of the San Diego County Bar Association. Mr. Stoke also serves on the boards of the San Diego North EDC and the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute, participates on the Government Affairs Committee of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, and is on the Executive Committee of the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito.
News, Publications & Events
Recent News Coverage
· Showley, Roger. "Plan would have killed Petco Park, official says," San Diego Union-Tribune, August 13, 2006.
· Biberman, Thor Kamban. "Land Institute forum debate pros, cons of eminent domain," The Daily Transcript, August 10, 2006.
Recent Articles/Publications
· "Land Assembly in a Changing Environment of Eminent Domain," Carlsbad Business Journal, May 2007.
Recent Seminars and Speeches
· "Future of Redevelopment," CCIM San Diego Chapter Lunch & Learn, San Diego, CA, March 21, 2012.
· "Summer Lunch Series: Part Two - Receivers and REOs," CCIM Institute, San Diego, CA, July 27, 2010.
· "Summer Lunch Series: Part One - Banks and Lending Status," CCIM Institute, San Diego, CA, June 16, 2010 .
· "Utilizing Today's Real Estate Market to Increase Your Wealth," University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, May 28, 2009.
(Resident, San Diego Office)