In my practice representing developers and landowners, I routinely review dozens if not more, of development agreements over the course of a year.  Without question, the most complained about aspect of virtually all such agreements, by a wide margin, is the extent of fees being imposed by a given city.  Municipal fees are the runaway…

Skyrocketing construction material costs have been front-page news in recent months. Tamara O’Neill Moreland moderates a wide-ranging discussion with Ari Parritz, Managing Principal of Afton Park, and Chris Osmundson, Director of Development at Alatus, on the many trends in construction that are changing the development of projects now and into the future.

Developers have been…

For most controversies relating to a proposed use of land, the local government permitting process will be the initial battleground between the project proponent and opposing persons.  Whether the government body grants or denies the land use application(s), many such battles find their way to court.  The judicial process can take years to reach a…

The redevelopment of any large land area can be very difficult to accomplish, especially when it is surrounded by homeowners who like the status quo.  This is especially true when the conversion involves a golf course: pastoral, quiet, well-landscaped (maybe a few stray golf balls).  The surrounding landowners (most often homeowners) understandably love the open…

Industrial markets have been in the unique business position of becoming increasingly more valuable during the pandemic.  The value of e-commerce, same-day delivery, and infill development is more important today than it was a year and a half ago.

I recently moderated the Bisnow webinar panel Minneapolis Industrial Update which included developers of industrial facilities…

Part One on this topic of “How low?” discussed the issue of lien claims by remote claimants.  These can be a surprise to an owner or contractor.  Remote claims might come from suppliers and subcontractors perhaps several tiers deep on a construction project.  The limitation on the rights of remote claimants turns on the definition…

On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its Technical Assistance Questions and Answers (Technical Assistance) about COVID-19 and Equal Employment Opportunity laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  In the Technical Assistance, the EEOC addressed many questions concerning the right of employers to screen for COVID-19 and/or for symptoms of…

Larkin Hoffman was recognized as a leading real estate firm in the 2021 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, an annual guide identifying the top attorneys and firms in the United States. The publication also recognized five of the firm’s attorneys as leaders in their fields.

Real Estate
Chambers notes that…

The extent of lien rights down the chain of subcontractors and suppliers is a perennial question. It can mean big dollars at risk for the potential lien claimant as well as for the owner and general contractor.   Which raises the question, who is simply too remote at the margins to have the right to claim…

Introduction

Recent legislation and Minnesota court decisions have changed how courts treat statements by insurance brokers and agents.  Historically, to determine if a policyholder or insurer was responsible for the statements and actions of the insurance brokers or agent you had to look to the principles of legal authority.  The possession of authority, whether actual…

The impact of the COVID pandemic is far-reaching, upending the norms of operation for businesses and families around the world.  I recently moderated the Bisnow webinar panel Minneapolis Health Care Update which included developers of health care facilities. The panel confirmed that the impact on the health care provider community has been especially significant and…