Thomas W. Forster

Real Estate and Corporate Attorney

Tom is a real estate and corporate attorney. He counsels clients on complex transactional, corporate and real estate matters, including the acquisition, financing, sale, leasing and subleasing of commercial property; the negotiation of joint ventures; asset and stock purchase transactions; the syndication of membership interests; and the acquisition, financing, exchange (1031 exchange), preservation and sale of multifamily, office, industrial, retail shopping center, condominium and mixed use developments. Tom represents a range of clients from publicly-held companies to closely-held family businesses, individuals, investors, builders, developers, lenders, real estate brokers, family officer and property managers.

Chambers USA, which ranks top lawyers and law firms, notes Tom’s “ability to advise on the full gamut of real estate transaction work” makes him “a deal maker and tough negotiator.” A client concluded that “whatever comes up, I have confidence he can handle it.”

Experience

Represented client in the acquisition and financing of a seven shopping center portfolio with properties in four states.

Advised client regarding an equity investment in a portfolio of 21 student housing projects valued more than $500 million.

Represented client in an office building refinance loan of $92 million with multiple lender participants.

Represented joint venture investor with respect to a $65 million senior housing project.

Sale of investment in a regional chain restaurant portfolio.

Counseled client on acquisition, preservation, financing and tax credit syndication of four projects with a value in excess of $40 million.

Represented client with joint venture involving more than 30 properties relating to concrete and sand and gravel operations.

Advised client regarding portfolio of industrial leases, with combined matter value in excess of $400 million.

Guided client in development of a shopping center with more than 400,000 square feet of leasable area.

Served as intern to the Honorable Justice Patricia Boyle of the Michigan State Supreme Court.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America^®, Real Estate Law, since 2017

Chambers USA^©: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a Leader in the field of Real Estate

Community Alliance Star Award, 2012

DBusiness^© Top Lawyers, Real Estate Law, 2013, 2020, 2021, 2022

Michigan Super Lawyers^® since 2008

Michigan Super Lawyers^® Rising Star, 2008 – 2012

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Section

The Florida Bar, Real Property Section

University of Michigan Alumni Association

Wayne State Law School Alumni Association

Community Involvement

Leadership Ann Arbor, Class of 2009