Overview

About Jeff

Jeff Nielson is a transactional attorney specializing in the development, acquisition and financing of commercial real estate projects across the United States. He has deep experience in the renewable energy industry and regularly represents developers, tax equity investors and lenders in connection with solar and wind projects. His practice includes drafting and negotiating site control instruments and securing energy project title insurance. He also advises renewable energy developers on mergers and acquisitions and regulatory matters.

Jeff frequently represents financial institutions in connection with construction, bridge and other secured real estate financings. He has handled loan originations totaling hundreds of millions of dollars covering office buildings, retail centers, industrial facilities and other asset classes.

As a member of the firm’s timberlands team, Jeff has counseled clients on structuring and closing acquisitions and dispositions of large tracts of timberland in the Pacific Northwest and Southeastern United States.

Before joining the firm, Jeff was an associate in the Las Vegas office of an international law firm. He has also served as assistant general counsel at a financial company specializing in the acquisition and servicing of distressed commercial real estate loans.

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Experience

Provided primary real estate counsel to NYC-based renewable energy developer for multiple projects, including:
- Acquisition of early-stage 80 MW solar project in Montana and post-acquisition development real estate support, including drafting and negotiating solar ground leases and transmission easements.
- Resolving significant site control issues affecting 61 MW solar project near Reno, Nevada, including amending and restating leases and easements, negotiating crossing licenses with holders of exclusive gas pipeline easements, preparing shared facilities agreements, creating SPE holding company to acquire title to substation and obtaining title policies acceptable to financing counterparties.
- Negotiation of leases, easements and other site-related agreements for development of portfolio of solar projects in Kittitas County, Washington (aggregate 25 MW).
- Acquisition of portfolio of operating wind projects in Iowa from multinational investment management firm (aggregate 80 MW).
- Handling of all real estate aspects of multi-tranche tax equity investment made by national bank covering projects across the country (over $200 million invested to date).
- Acquisition of portfolio of NTP solar projects in North Carolina (aggregate 30 MW).
Counseled San Diego-based renewable energy developer in site control and M&A matters for dozens of projects to support rapid expansion of footprint in utility-scale and community garden solar spaces.
Represented Connecticut-based renewable energy developer in developing and deploying financeable rooftop lease template for use on warehouse projects throughout northeastern U.S.
Managed real estate matters related to tax equity investments made by Indiana-based bank into renewable energy projects across the United States.
Served as lead counsel to mortgage investment departments of national life insurance companies in:
- $90 million portfolio construction loan secured by six multifamily housing developments in Southwest Texas.
- $50 million construction loan in Houston, Texas, secured by mixed use development.
- $35 million permanent loan secured by student housing complex in Boise, Idaho.
- Origination and closing of dozens of commercial loans throughout the Western United States ranging from $15 million to $100 million.
Represented international corporation on $12 million sale and leaseback transaction of industrial property in Las Vegas.
Represented publicly traded company in securing sites and negotiating long-term leases for portfolio of industrial properties across the United States.
Conducted due diligence analysis, including title and survey review, for $200 million purchase of hotels in California.
Conducted corporate due diligence, including real estate matters for dozens of leased and owned restaurant and hotel properties, in connection with $400 million acquisition of large nightlife company.