We helped a real estate investment and operating company, with a diverse portfolio exceeding 2M sq ft of commercial retail, parking, office and multi-family properties nationwide, develop a flexible contracting strategy. The company required a streamlined, scalable approach to managing design, construction, and services agreements across its nationwide holdings – a complex task given the unique legal and contractual landscapes, including mechanics lien laws, lender and insurance requirements, that vary by state and project. Our goal was to create a suite of adaptable contract templates that non-attorney employees could deploy correctly in many situations, while adhering to project-specific needs. This involved drafting and refining many agreements, including lump sum construction contracts, short-form agreements for non-recurring services, contracts for other recurring services such as snow/ice removal, landscaping, site upkeep services, parking lot repairs, and contracts for professional architectural and engineering services. We worked closely with the company’s internal teams to develop templates which addressed their specific operational needs, incorporating clear language, standardized terms, and appropriate risk allocation, while also providing guidance on how the client’s non-attorney employees can deploy these agreements with minimal legal oversight.
