Michael J. Baum focuses his practice on domestic and cross-border real estate transactions. Michael represents clients in connection with the sponsorship, formation and implementation of U.S. and international (primary focus in Mexico and Brazil) real estate opportunity funds, joint ventures, acquisitions, developments, financings and dispositions of multi-family, industrial, office, retail and resort properties. He also represents both financial institutions and borrowers in connection with construction, mezzanine and general secured real estate financings. Recently, Michael has advised these clients in relation to loan workouts, partnership restructurings and other business reorganizations.
Areas of Concentration
· Real estate
· Private equity
· Real estate finance
· Asset-backed financing
· Cross-border
· Leasing
Significant Representations
· Representation of Walton Street Capital and its Brazilian partner, Banco BTG Pactual, in connection with the financing of the development of a regional shopping center in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
· Representation of Chicago developer in connection with acquisitions/dispositions, development and leasing of single tenant retail properties and shopping centers throughout Illinois and Florida.
· Representation of consortium of Chilean and Columbian high net-worth investors in connection with the acquisition, financing and vertical subdivision of the office towers at 55 West Wacker Drive, LaSalle Wacker and 205 West Wacker Drive located in Chicago, IL, and 150 S. Rodeo Drive, 150/151 S. El Camino Drive (f/k/a William Morris Agency headquarters) located in Beverly Hills, CA.
· Representation of Walton Street Capital in connection with the formation of a joint venture with Grupo FINSA to acquire stabilized industrial portfolios and develop build-to-suit properties throughout Mexico.
· Representation of Walton Street Capital in connection with the formation of joint ventures with separate Mexican development partners and investors to develop Walmart or other "big-box" anchored retail shopping centers throughout Mexico.
· Representation of Walton Street Capital in connection with the formation of a joint venture with Mexican development partners and investors to develop luxury hotel and residential resort communities in Northern Baja, Cancun, Punta Mita, Los Cabos (El Dorado Country Club) and Puebla, Mexico.
· Representation of Walton Street Capital and its Mexican partner, Grupo Sadasi, in their acquisition of the Mexican subsidiary of Pulte Homes, Inc.
· Representation of Prudential Real Estate Investors in connection with the negotiation of a joint venture with Corporación GEO, S.A. de C.V. (the largest homebuilder in Mexico) to develop residential properties in Mexico. Related representation of Prudential Real Estate Investors in connection with the sponsorship of Mexican residential and retail real estate funds. Primary investors include the California Public Employee Retirement System.
· Representation of the joint venture between Morgan Stanley Real Estate Funds and The John Buck Company in connection with the sale of (i) the Shops at Northbridge to Westfield America, Inc. and (ii) ownership interests in the American Medical Association Building located in Chicago, IL.
· Representation of The John Buck Company in connection with the acquisition, financing, development and forward-sale of the mixed-use Palomar (Kimpton) hotel and corporate housing project at 505 N. State Street in Chicago, IL.
· Representation of Mexican high net worth family's investment in the development, financing and operation of the Hotel Americano in New York City.
· Representation of The John Hancock Center Homeowners' Association in connection with the negotiation of material building and life-safety system repair programs with the commercial unit owner.
· Representation of Corus Bank, N.A. in connection with the origination of several billion dollars of construction loans for residential condominium, office and hotel projects located in New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and other U.S. municipalities.
· Representation of AmTrust Bank (f/k/a Ohio Savings Bank) in connection with construction financing for high-rise residential condominium towers located in the Museum Park Campus in Chicago, IL.
· Representation of First Chicago Bank & Trust (now Wintrust) in connection with the financing of stabilized medical office buildings and manufactured home communities throughout the Midwest.
Professional & Community Involvement
· Co-Chair, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Golf Committee, 2010-2012
· Member, Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations
· Member, Urban Land Institute
· Executive Committee Member, Jewish United Fund Young Lawyers Division
· Co-Chair, "Dream Halloween" benefiting Children Affected by Aids, 2008 and 2009
Awards & Recognition
· Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Illinois Super Lawyers, "Rising Star" (2009-2012)
· Team Member, Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year" (2011)
· Member, Winning Team, Chambers USA Award for Excellence, Real Estate (2010)
Previous Employment
· Associate, Mayer Brown, LLP, Chicago, 2002-2005
Articles, Publications, & Lectures
· Speaker, "Opportunities in Distressed Assets and Debt," RealShare Chicago, June 3, 2010