Michael’s practice focuses on commercial real estate, energy transactions and unmanned systems.

Michael’s real estate practice includes all manner of leasing, acquisition, disposition, and financing transactions. He has extensive experience with tax credit-generating real estate investments, such as LIHTC projects, as well as with renewable and traditional energy projects.

His Unmanned Systems practice focuses on assisting clients with the integration of these emerging technologies into their business practices. These efforts have included contracting with UAS test sites and vendors; seeking exemption from current FAA regulatory restrictions affecting UAS; participating in the legislative and/or rulemaking process; and otherwise tracking, understanding, and complying with the developing federal, state, and local regulatory frameworks. Michael’s knowledge has been tapped by several media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, and he gives educational presentations on the topic. He has provided subject matter expertise to the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Relevant Experience

Real Estate

• Represented major Low-Income Housing Tax Credit syndicators in connection with numerous limited liability equity investments in affordable housing projects.
• Represented lenders in connection with construction and/or permanent financing of affordable housing projects.
• Represented Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), and a group of commercial banks on the real estate aspects of a $4.369 billion senior secured project debt finance, letter of credit and working capital facilities to finance the construction and operation of Train 1 of a multi-train natural gas liquefaction and export facilities project to be located on Quintana Island near Freeport. Awarded 2014 “Deal of the Year – Americas” by Project Finance International (PFI), and 2014 “Americas Award for North American Oil & Gas and Global Overall” by Infrastructure Journal and 2015 Global Finance Deal of the Year: Project Finance by The American Lawyer.
• Represented a private equity fund in the $475 million purchase of ownership interests in two coal-fired power plants located in Pennsylvania.
• Represented an independent power producer in the acquisition of several solar projects in the Northeast. Real estate aspects of the representation included negotiating leases, the sale agreements, title and survey, and various local and regional permit-related due diligence and negotiations.

• Represented independent power producer, as Tenant, in ground leasing 34+ acres of land for the development of a 4.07 MW solar photovoltaic power system in Sandwich, MA.
• Represented independent power producer, as Tenant, in leasing 26+ acres of land for the development of a 3.0 MW solar photovoltaic power system in Shirley, MA.
• Represented major health care system, as Tenant, in leasing 42,000+ square feet of office space in Richmond, VA with expansion rights for approximately 13,000+ additional square feet.
• Represented S&P 600 technology company, as Tenant, in leasing 62,000+ square feet of office space in Reston Town Center in Reston, VA.
• Represented international engine and turbine manufacturer, as Tenant, in leasing 78,000+ square feet of office space in Reston Town Center in Reston, VA.
• Represented international engine and turbine manufacturing company as Sub-Landlord in sub-leasing 26,000+ square feet of office space in Reston Town Center in Reston, VA.
• Represented Fortune 500 packaging and paper products company, as Tenant, in leasing 204,000+ square feet of office space in Richmond, VA.
• Represented major health care system, as Landlord, in negotiating several employed-physician clinic leases.
• Represented developer in site acquisition and development of “build-to-suit” lease for national drug store chain.
• Represented national department store in bonding and negotiating release of mechanics’ liens.
• Advised individual clients regarding zoning compliance issues.
• Represented individual client in design review hearing.

Unmanned Systems

• Advised a Fortune 150 energy company in connection with all of its efforts to develop and implement a commercial UAS program, including the pursuit of advanced research and development and proof-of-concept projects.
• Counseled a Fortune 200 energy company in regard to the implementation of advanced research and development UAS projects, submission of rulemaking comments, and related legislative efforts.
• Negotiated Research and Testing Agreement with the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), one of the six national UAS test sites.
• Negotiated agreements for UAS flight testing services from a leading UAS manufacturer and service provider.
• Assisted an energy company in obtaining an exemption from the FAA Regulations.
• Advised an energy company in connection with submission of comments to the FAA’s UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
• Provided advice regarding NTIA Multistakeholder Process and general UAS privacy and patent matters.
• Negotiated acquisition agreement for a fleet of unmanned aircraft systems.

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, University of Southern California Gould School of Law, 2002BA, Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1996