Overview

John Santa Lucia focuses his practice on real estate acquisitions, dispositions, development, and financing of multifamily residential, office, retail and mixed-use projects and other commercial and industrial facilities. He represents regional, national, and international developers and investors and works frequently with some of the nation’s largest privately owned and public institutional real estate entities (including real estate investment trusts (REITs)), as well as the investment arms of public employee pension funds, private investment funds, and individuals.

John also has substantial experience in structuring and forming investment funds and joint ventures, including in connection with public-private partnership opportunities, with a focus on military-housing privatization projects involving all three branches of the U.S. armed forces.

John’s sole goal is to provide pre-eminent legal services to achieve a desired outcome at minimal risk and with maximum benefit—in as economically efficient a manner as possible. His philosophy in counseling clients is to stress the importance of practical cooperation and reasonable accommodation in transactional negotiations—in recognition of the fact that the real estate community is small, reputation is of paramount importance, and even the most discrete transactions give rise to ongoing relationship considerations—while intently focusing on recognizing, assessing, and addressing areas of risk, and creatively developing solutions to unique or complex problems.

Education

Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1988

Northwestern University, B.A., 1985, with honors

Admissions

Washington

California

Experience

  • Ongoing representation of national, publicly traded multifamily residential project developer on a regional basis in connection with the acquisition, development, financing, and sale of multifamily residential and mixed-use projects throughout the Pacific Northwest.
  • Ongoing representation of large publicly traded multifamily residential REIT in numerous acquisition and development transactions across the Western United States.
  • Ongoing representation of large privately owned multifamily residential and mixed-use project owner and developer based in the Seattle region in numerous transactions in the Western and Midwest United States.
  • Ongoing representation of a large privately owned hotel developer in connection with a complex land assemblage and redevelopment of a partially owned and partially ground-leased site in Seattle.
  • Ongoing representation of the investment arm of a large public employee pension fund in connection with the acquisition of various shopping mall properties in the Western United States.
  • Ongoing representation of a large privately owned real estate company in connection with various multifamily residential and mixed-use projects throughout the Pacific Northwest.
  • Ongoing representation of a large privately owned real estate company in connection with various multifamily residential and mixed-use projects throughout the Pacific Northwest, and various military-housing projects throughout the United States.
  • Ongoing representation of a private investment fund in connection with the structuring of the fund, investment in various assets throughout the United States, financing of various individual assets, and restructuring and financing of an entire investment facility.
  • Representation of a private investor in the structuring and formation of a European real estate investment fund.
  • Representation of a privately owned real estate company in connection with the acquisition and assemblage of properties in Washington State for contemplated development of industrial facilities.
  • Served as lead developer’s counsel on the closing of seven different privatized military-housing projects collectively involving 13 military bases, upwards of $2 billion in financing and close to 15,000 military housing units.
  • Representation of a large publicly traded multifamily residential REIT in numerous transactions throughout the U.S., including the purchase and sale more than 120 multifamily residential projects and the formation of joint ventures for the acquisition and sale of mixed-use development properties.
  • Representation of a large publicly traded office REIT in numerous purchases and sales of office properties throughout the United States. Provided assistance to the client in connection with a wide range of investments, joint ventures and unique arrangements for the provision of services to the properties it owns and manages.

Insights

Insights & Presentations

  • “Public-Private Partnership,” American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law, May 2011

Recognition

  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® (Real Estate Law), 2023–2024
  • Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” by Chambers Global (USA Investment Funds, REITs), 2010
  • Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” by Chambers USA, (Investment Funds: REITs), 2007–2009

Affiliations

Civic

  • Sound Mental Health, Board Member

Industries

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