Our Approach
Carpenter Wellington focuses on understanding our clients’ needs and goals. The firm commences by preparing, negotiating, and completing lease transactions on terms that support and advance our clients’ current strategic objectives as well as future needs. Carpenter Wellington’s commercial real estate attorneys guide clients with strategic and business insights and practical advice that help simplify and expedite complex leasing issues. We understand how real estate businesses function and how business people think. We know what lenders will agree to and what makes a tenant lease capable of being financed. Our clients rely on a combination of legal skills and pragmatic business acumen – not just contract redlines.
Frequently Asked Questions – Commercial Real Estate Law
Do I need an attorney to review a commercial lease?
Yes. Unlike residential leases, commercial leases are fully negotiable and often heavily favor the landlord in their standard form. A commercial real estate attorney can negotiate terms including rent escalations, operating expense pass-throughs, tenant improvement allowances, exclusivity provisions, renewal rights, and exit rights. Having a lawyer review the lease before you sign can save significant money and reduce legal exposure over the term of the lease.
What is a build-to-suit lease?
A build-to-suit lease is an arrangement where a landlord constructs or retrofits a property to a tenant’s specifications, with the tenant then leasing the completed facility. Build-to-suit arrangements are common for data centers, manufacturing facilities, and specialized industrial spaces. Carpenter Wellington represents both developers and tenants in build-to-suit transactions.
What is a sale-leaseback transaction?
In a sale-leaseback, a company sells a property it owns and simultaneously enters into a long-term lease to continue occupying it. This structure allows businesses to free up capital tied to real estate while maintaining operational continuity. Carpenter Wellington advises on sale-leaseback transactions for commercial and technology-infrastructure properties.
Does Carpenter Wellington handle commercial real estate for data center projects?
Yes. Carpenter Wellington has specific experience at the intersection of commercial real estate and data center/digital infrastructure. The firm assists clients nationally with site acquisition, data center leases, build-to-suit arrangements, and the specialized real estate issues that come with developing or operating digital infrastructure – including power, access rights, and zoning.