Chester P. Lee

Chester Lee is co-chair of Duane Morris’ Real Estate Practice Group. Mr. Lee practices in the area of real estate law, providing strategic and legal advice for all types of commercial real estate transactions.

Mr. Lee has represented both lenders and borrowers in secured financings and loan restructurings, including construction loans, Real-Estate-Owned properties (REOs), leasehold financings, debtor-in-possession loans, exit financings, project financings and mezzanine debt.

Mr. Lee also has counseled clients acquiring, disposing and/or developing real property, including ground-lease and sale-leaseback transactions. Many of these matters involved purchases of multiple sites located in numerous jurisdictions.

He has represented many foreign investors (including those from China, Russia and France) in their initial acquisitions and developments of projects in the United States (such as retail and manufacturing sites).

He also has worked with landlords, tenants and subtenants in the leasing and subleasing of real estate assets, including built-to-suit facilities, retail locations and warehouse and distribution centers.

Mr. Lee has represented international and domestic investors in natural resource acquisitions, including uranium and coal mining projects. Mr. Lee has counseled clients in the financing of energy assets such as wind farms and propane gas distribution facilities.

Representative Matters:

• Represented a Chilean multifamily family office in its $92 million acquisition and financing of a multi-level, 350,000 square foot shopping mall in Maryland; transaction included a joint venture with a commercial real estate development and net lease company in Tennessee, as well as a real estate acquisition and associated bank financing.
• Representing an Asia-based automotive textile manufacturer with locating and securing its first U.S. facility in the southern United States, including working with consultants and government officials with respect to various incentive programs such as real estate tax abatements.
• Represented American Infrastructure MLP Fund L.P. (AIM), a California-based private equity firm, in its acquisition of a controlling interest in the Quik-Way Group. Quik-Way owns and operates more than 110 gas and convenience stores in Texas. As part of the transaction, AIM made an equity capital contribution and arranged for a new $100 million credit facility with a major commercial bank.
• Represented a national lender in numerous financings (aggregating over $750 million) involving the construction and renovation of projects located in the New York City area.
• Represented a joint venture between a shopping center owner/developer and a private equity fund in the purchase and sale of over 400 retail sites located throughout the United States.
• Represented a consumer products company in the build-to-suit lease of an approximately 500,000 square feet warehouse and distribution center.
• Represented an Asia-based manufacturer of automobile components in the acquisition and development of its first manufacturing facility in the United States.
• Represented high net worth French and Russian investors in the purchase of New York City properties.

Admissions : New York

Professional Activities:

• American Bar Association
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association