Steve works extensively with commercial landlords and tenants on the negotiation and drafting of leases and related agreements for space in high-rise office buildings and shopping centers throughout the country. He also represents developers, institutional owners and property managers on commercial real estate acquisitions and financings of all sizes and complexity.
Clients depend upon Steve to ensure their deals get closed on time and on budget. His proven ability to negotiate a “yes” result is manifest in his seemingly innate skill for finding the common ground among deal participants and resolving the thorniest of issues. As a professional jazz musician and band leader outside of the office, Steve mixes structure, collaboration and improvisation, honed skills that he brings to every matter in which he is involved.
Appreciated for his ability to listen and combine unique ideas and perspectives, Steve knows how to identify and integrate the needs of those around him into the problem-solving process. Steve is personally dedicated to cultivating productive and long-term client relationships. Steve’s sense of humor, dexterity in the law and throughout the negotiation process, and willingness to listen and adapt to the needs of those he represents have resulted in the successful closure of billions of dollars of transactions over the course of his career.
Notably, Steve is administrator of the firm’s Minneapolis and Chicago office’s real estate practices, He has been a featured speaker on numerous occasions at the International Council of Shopping Centers Law Conference and is published in Probate and Property magazine.
Professional and Community Involvement
Co-board chair, The Cedar Cultural Center
Board and executive committee member, Minneapolis Downtown Council
Former adjunct professor, University of Minnesota Law School
Honors
Minnesota Monthly Magazine, Top Lawyers in Minnesota, 2023
Chambers USA, 2018-2024
The Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2020, 2022-2025
Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2003-2008, 2010-2019