Service Areas
- Businesses
- Real Estate
- Governments + Nonprofits
- Real Estate
Education
- Indiana University School of Law, J.D.
- Michigan State University, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Florida
- Michigan
Taking pride in developing creative solutions that achieve his clients’ objectives on multiple levels, J. Patrick Lennon specializes in commercial real estate law and has extensive experience in real estate transactions, financings, development, construction, land use and brokerage. He primarily represents the interests of large real estate developers in Michigan and Florida. Patrick also serves as national real estate, development and construction counsel for several multinational companies. Since 2004, he has averaged approximately $200 million a year in closed transactions involving properties located in 15 or more states and 3 nations.
“We take pride in knowing our clients and understanding their business goals. We treat each matter as an extension of our overall relationship and believe that this approach enables us to quickly identify opportunities that may be of interest to them, to advise them as to the impact a particular transaction will have on their overall holdings and to assist them in avoiding unnecessary legal exposure.”
J. Patrick Lennon
Patrick serves as counsel to the 800-member Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors and as general counsel to the Southwestern Michigan Regional Information Center which consists of more than 3,000 real estate agents. He is also a principal in Miller Canfield’s title insurance agency, Capri Title of Florida LLC.
Experience
In a matter he describes as “daunting” because it was marked by a lengthy history of extreme opposition and litigation over development rights, Patrick served as real estate and land use counsel in a complex mixed-use project that was being developed by a public entity and involved public, commercial and residential uses. After a lengthy process, the client obtained the entitlements it needed as well as a grant from the municipality for infrastructure improvements. These positive outcomes were the direct result of a collaborative process involving several public institutions, private business interests, multiple municipalities, together with active neighborhoods and special interests.
“The win-win results, and the complex and sensitive process that led to them, were rewarding for both the transaction participants and their advisors. This property had been the source of controversy and litigation and had never been even partially developed despite several attempts. The creative thinking and unselfishness of our client and the other transaction participants made a difficult and controversial development a reality.“
Professional Activities
- Comm PAC, Political action committee devoted to regional economic development issues, Steering Committee Member
- International Council of Shopping Center Developers (ICSC)
- Miller Canfield Liaison
- State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Section
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- Florida Bar Association, Estates, Trusts and Real Property Section; Out of State Practitioners Section
Honors + Awards
- Chambers USA:America's Leading Business Lawyers, Real Estate Law, 2007; Recognized as "Up and Coming in Real Estate Law", 2006
- Business Review Magazine, Top Business Leaders Under 40, 2005
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- Kalamazoo Country Club
Publications
"Michigan's New Lead Based Paint Laws Raise the Stakes for Landlords and Property Managers," Enterprise Magazine, March 2005
"Don't Let Your Dream Home Become a Nightmare" Hot Points, September 2004
Speeches
"Negotiating and Structuring Complex Commercial Property Sales Agreements," West Michigan Commercial Realtor Association, Kalamazoo, Michigan, January 17, 2007
"Florida Real Estate Issues Facing the Out-of-State Investor-Significant Differences Between Florida and Michigan Law," Michigan Bar Association Real Property Section, Winter Conference, Orlando, Florida, March 10, 2007
"The Impact of Homeland Security Threats on the Operation of Commercial Real Estate Facilities," Synergy 2004, Lansing, Michigan, April 22, 2004