Service Areas
- Businesses
- Real Estate
- Economic Development Incentives
- Climate Change
- Governments + Nonprofits
- Real Estate
- Construction Contracts + Bidding
- Economic Development
- Climate Change
- Individuals + Families
- Real Estate
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
- University of Michigan, B.B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Ronald E. Hodess, leader of the Real Estate and Construction Law groups, brings practical expertise to legal transactions often involving complex multi-jurisdictional real estate and construction projects. He is particularly skilled in negotiating and structuring such transactions and assisting clients from the starting gate through the finish line. For example, Ron represents contractors on $325 million of construction for the Freedom Tower being built at “Ground Zero“ in New York City. His extensive track record also includes representing national and foreign corporations on hundreds of millions of dollars worth of economic-development incentives for various projects throughout the United States and Canada.
"Listening to clients is always paramount."
Ronald E. Hodess
Ron’s commercial real estate expertise includes real estate finance, construction law and all aspects of commercial development. He also can handle procurement, negotiation and consulting on state and local economic-development incentives and tax abatements relating to real and personal property. For the construction industry, his expertise includes construction law, construction risk management, construction contracts, architect agreements, construction claims and liens, bonding, surety law, insurance issues and bidding issues.
Experience
Ron and his team helped a client save over $49 million in state, county and local tax incentives in a case he considers particularly rewarding because it allowed the client to achieve its goals while providing positive economic impacts to the community.
"Adding value is what we are all about."
Representative Matters
Represented owners, developers, lenders and contractors in over $2 billion worth of construction projects, including stadiums, airports, hotels, hospitals, office buildings, restaurants and industrial facilities.
Representation of a national bank in connection with the refinancing of $50 million mixed use development and construction financing for a series of retail locations in Michigan.
Representation of the owner/developer in connection with design construction and project financing of Comerica Park baseball stadium located in Detroit Michigan.
Representation of international corporation in connection with $85 million synthetic lease of office buildings.
Representation of the construction manager in connection with construction management of Ford Field football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan.
Representation of public utility in connection with sale/leaseback of $100 million of power plant equipment.
Representation of public utility in connection with leveraged lease financing transaction involving $60 million of rolling stock.
Represented construction manager in connection with construction management of Detroit Midfield Terminal project.
Representation of national corporation in connection with all real estate owned, leased, and constructed throughout the United States.
Represented contractor on $325 million office building renovation project located in Michigan.
Professional Activities
- Achieved top ranking in Chambers USA 2005, 2006 and 2007 attorney guide, which states that "Ronald E. Hodess leads the group and often advises on complicated multi-state, multi-million dollar development and construction projects where clients appreciate his 'excellent attention to details'"
- American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; Construction Law Forum
- State Bar of Michigan, Chair, Special Committee on Construction Law; Real Property Law Section
- Oakland County Bar Association, Real Estate Section
Honors + Awards
- Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law 2006-2009; Construction Law 2008-2009
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Real Estate 2006-2008
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- Autism Society of America, Oakland County Chapter, Co-chair, Annual Fundraiser
- JARC (Jewish Association for Residential Care), Board of Directors
- The Friendship Circle, Executive Committee; Board of Directors
- Leadership Oakland IV, Oakland County, Michigan
- Jewish Community Council, Past Member of Board of Directors
Publications
"Real Estate Development Incentives," Summer 2001 issue of Hot Points newsletter
"Design-Build Construction Contracts," Fall 2001 issues of Hot Points newsletter
"New Land Development Law," Summer 1997 issue of Hot Points newsletter
Coauthor, "Third Party Legal Opinions: The Next Generation," Michigan Real Property Review, Fall 1992
"Plain Language in Title Insurance Policies," Michigan Bar Journal, February 1990
"Revisions to the ALTA Title Insurance Policy Forms," Michigan Bar Journal, Spring 1988
Speeches
Panel Member, Michigan Bankers' Association Seminar on Financing Urban Redevelopment, April 1993
"Lender Environmental Liability: EPA Rules Create New Guidelines for Secured Lenders," Michigan Update Robert Morris Associates (now known as Risk Management Association), August 1992