Overview

Kelly Rutledge represents clients in complex commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and leasing of apartment communities, office buildings, and mixed-use properties. She advises market-rate and affordable housing developers, private equity firms, institutional investors, and other property owners on structuring deals and navigating regulatory requirements.

Kelly has experience with affordable housing development, including projects utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), tax-exempt bond financing, and state and local funding programs. Her practice also covers equity structuring, commercial and residential real estate sales and acquisitions, leasing, development-related matters, easements, and co-ownership arrangements.

Education

University of Washington School of Law, LL.M., Taxation, 2025

Seattle University School of Law, J.D., 2020, cum laude; Technology, Notes and Comments Editor, Environmental, and Innovation Law Journal; Presidential Law Scholarship

University of Washington, B.A., Political Science, 2016

Admissions

Washington

Experience

  • Represented a real estate investor in a joint venture transaction involving the $94.7 million acquisition of an eight-story mixed-use, 211-unit building in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. The deal equates to about $448,815 per unit, one of the highest mid-rise valuations in the Seattle market in 2025.
  • Represented commercial landowner in cell phone tower lease renewal negotiation, including negotiation of additional profit-sharing agreement for collator services.
  • Part of a team representing lender in negotiation and preparation of $25.25 million commercial financing package secured by commercial property in Seattle.
  • Part of a team representing borrower in procurement of commercial financing package secured by multi-state commercial property.
  • Drafted construction loan packages for construction of residential housing communities in the Seattle area ranging from $3.2 million to $16.7 million.
  • Represented various Washington companies with negotiation of leases, subleases, amendments, and modification agreements, and advised on default and tenant insolvency/bankruptcy situations.

Insights

Insights & Presentations

Recognition

  • Included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (Real Estate Law, Corporate Law), 2023–present
  • Listed among Rising Stars (Business & Corporate, Real Estate), Washington Super Lawyers®, 2024–present
  • CALI Awards for Excellence (highest grade in course) in Individual Income Tax and Innovation and Technology Research Practicum

Affiliations

Professional

  • Member, CREW Seattle, 2024-present
  • Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Section

Industries

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