Real Estate & Construction

Real Estate & Construction

Ruder Ware assists a wide variety of clients with real estate, development, and construction transactions. A major component of our real estate practice involves the representation of developers, property owners, investors, contractors, municipalities and other governmental entities, and financial institutions in connection with their development and construction projects.

Our attorneys have advised clients regarding multi-tenant office facility development, large-scale retail development projects and acquisition financings, and tenant-in-common transactions. Our firm’s expertise encompasses all facets of the regulatory compliance, development, and construction process, including land use and subdivision approvals; development agreements and vested rights structuring; environmental assessments; condemnation, time-share, and fractional ownership developments; wetlands compliance; and redevelopment issues. Our development and construction practice also encompasses the negotiation and documentation of a substantial number of design, design-build, and other construction agreements involving architects, engineering and design professionals, general contractors and construction managers, and a variety of industry trades. Our range of real estate and construction services includes:

  • Assisting real estate developers and other buyers and sellers of real estate with purchase and sale transactions
  • Assisting real estate developers and other buyers with conducting appropriate due diligence in connection with real estate acquisition transactions, including reviewing title insurance commitments, surveys, and environmental site assessment reports
  • Advising clients regarding zoning, land use, and other regulatory matters
  • Drafting and negotiating development agreements with governmental authorities involved in public/private development projects
  • Representing both lenders and borrowers in connection with construction and permanent mortgage loan financing transactions, including leasehold mortgages
  • Appearing on behalf of clients at public hearings and conducting negotiations in connection with obtaining regulatory approvals for land use, including zoning variances, and conditional use permits
  • Advising clients regarding environmental issues relating to real estate, including stormwater regulations, air permitting, wetlands issues, brownfield redevelopment, and voluntary party liability exemptions
  • Representing developers and owners in connection with condominium and fractional ownership development projects and conversions, including the preparation of commercial and residential condominium declarations, bylaws, articles of incorporation, and related documentation
  • Representing owners, contractors, construction managers, and architects in the preparation and negotiation of construction and design contracts
  • Representing property owners in seeking appropriate compensation for their real estate when faced with a condemnation proceeding
  • Assisting clients with like-kind exchange transactions
  • Representing contractors, subcontractors, and other service providers in connection with filing and enforcing construction liens
  • Negotiating and properly documenting easements, licenses, and other agreements regarding use of real property
  • Assisting clients with resolving boundary disputes.

Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services. A full-service law firm, over 45 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.

IRS Releases Mileage Rates for 2024

Posted on December 14, 2023 by

The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2024 optional standard mileage rates today for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes.  The most notable change is the slight per mile increase for businesses. Effective January 1, 2024, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a car […]

Collections in a Post-COVID-19 World

Posted on October 23, 2023 by

As a collection and banking attorney, I am often asked whether (or when) I think collections will restart now that we are somewhat “beyond” COVID-19, although not fully. In my own practice I have seen an increase in demand letters to businesses and consumers for past due accounts or debts. Banks and businesses need to […]

U.S. Treasury Clarifies Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements for Businesses

Posted on February 22, 2023 by

When it goes into effect on January 1, 2024, a provision tucked inside the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) will impose lengthy new reporting requirements on many business entities, including many single-member LLCs. The final rule recently issued by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network clarifies the scope and applicability of these new […]

OFCCP Issues New March 3 Deadline for Federal Contractors to Object to Disclosure of EEO-1 Data!

Posted on February 14, 2023 by

If you are a federal contractor, keep reading. Last summer, the Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a notice to all federal contractors that the Center for Investigative Reporting had requested EEO-1 reports for 2016-2020 pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). While the motive is uncertain, it is likely that this […]

Who Benefits? The Corporate Transparency Act Requires Companies to Disclose Their Beneficial Owners Under New Federal Rules

Posted on February 3, 2023 by

To do business in Wisconsin, a business owner needs to file numerous documents with federal, state, and local governments. Congress recently added a new one. Under the Corporate Transparency Act, most corporations, LLCs, and similar company types doing business in the United States must file a report divulging the personal information of anyone who “controls” […]

IRS Releases Mileage Rates for 2023

Posted on December 29, 2022 by

The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2023 optional standard mileage rates today for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes.  The most notable change is the three-cent per mile increase for businesses. Effective January 1, 2023, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a car […]

LLCs: The Next Generation Under Wisconsin Law

Posted on October 6, 2022 by , , and

Under new Wisconsin laws coming into effect soon, some important rules governing how limited liability companies (LLCs) operate will change. This article will describe some of the key changes, what LLC owners need to be thinking about, and some approaching deadlines for those wishing to be governed under the “old” rules. The New LLC Law […]

Significant Changes to Medical Collection Debt Reporting: How Might it Affect Business?

Posted on July 27, 2022 by

In March of this year, the three major nationwide credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) announced there would be substantial changes to medical collection debt reporting coming this summer in an effort to help consumers faced with unexpected medical bills.  The changes will remove nearly 70% of medical collection debt tradelines from consumer credit […]

Pain at the Pump: IRS Announces Mid-Year Adjustment of Business and Medical Mileage Rates

Posted on June 9, 2022 by

Due to the increase in the cost of gasoline since establishing the 2022 rates last year, the Internal Revenue Service is increasing mid-year the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses.  Effective July 1, 2022, the optional standard mileage rates will be 62.5 […]

Resolving Business Disputes

Posted on May 10, 2022 by

In a perfect world, business owners could spend all of their time and money focusing on a singular task:  running their business.  Despite the best laid plans, however, at some point ancillary concerns will arise and require—at least to some extent—that a business divert its resources to address and correct an issue.  One area of […]

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