John M. Rawicz

John immerses himself into your industry, business, and transaction, he is quick to address problems and anticipate those that lie ahead.

John Rawicz is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group with a focus on representing banks, life insurance companies and other institutional lenders in loans secured by real estate in all real estate assets classes, mezzanine loans, and commercial and business loan transactions. In addition, John represents developers and equity investors in the development, acquisition, and disposition of all types of commercial real estate and developers, tax equity investors, and lenders in renewable energy projects (solar and wind). Further, John represents owners, operators and lenders in the acquisition, sale, and financing of hotels throughout the United States and internationally, REITs in sale-leaseback transactions throughout the United States, and lenders and developers in affordable housing projects located in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands financed with the syndication of low income housing tax credits issued under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, tax-exempt bonds, and grants and loans issued by state and local governments.

Personal Approach

John is a fierce advocate who works tirelessly to advance his clients’ interests, he brings new perspective, speed, and precision when working with clients in complex and high-value transactions. Clients and colleagues alike admire John’s advocacy for collaboration. John is in the trenches with you, every step of the way, his commitment and thorough approach to matters guarantees an actionable plan with your best interest in mind.

During his undergraduate time at The University of Florida, he became a fan of college football, rooting for the Florida Gators. He is now a member of the Board of Directors of the Fiesta Bowl and has held various leadership positions within the Fiesta Bowl Yellow Jacket Committee. John values time with family and enjoys traveling with his wife and twin daughters.

More About John M. Rawicz

Education

• J.D., George Washington University Law School, 1997
• B.S.B.A., high honors, University of Florida, 1994

Bar Admissions

• Nevada, 2008
• Arizona, 2007
• Florida, 1997

Community

• American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Fellow (July 2022-present)
• Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors, Member
• Urban Land Institute Arizona District, Full Member, Past Chair of Arizona District Council Membership Committee and Chair of Trends Day 2022 Committee
• Village of Key Biscayne Florida, Former Special Master

Representative Matters

Loan Transactions

• Represented joint venture in obtaining financing in the aggregate amount of $224 million from various local institutional lenders and a $515.9 million loan facility from a Wall Street investment bank for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and conversion to condominium of 18 rental apartment complexes located throughout Florida, Arizona and Nevada.
• Represented institutional lender that was lead syndicator in a $186 million loan for the acquisition and construction of a luxury high rise condominium building containing one hundred eighty condominium units and a five star hotel.
• Represented institutional lender in making a $48 million loan for the acquisition of a private resort community in Florida and $130 million in loans for the construction of luxury buildings located within the resort.
• Represented developer in connection with approximately $80 million of construction financing for the development of three luxury high-rise condominium buildings in a luxury resort community in Florida.
• Represented institutional lender as Nevada local counsel in a $350 million financing for the renovation of one of the luxury hotel towers in a luxury casino campus on the Las Vegas Strip and the creation of an entertainment district also located on the Las Vegas Strip.
• Represented institutional lender in Arizona in a loan for the construction of a shopping center on land that was subleased by the borrower and a loan for the acquisition of an office complex in Washington where the borrower ground leased the land and owned the improvements on the land.
• Represented life insurance company in $44 million loan for the construction of an apartment complex in Texas and a $69 million loan secured by a portfolio of industrial properties in Arizona, California, and Nevada.
• Represented lender in making an acquisition and development loans in Arizona, Oregon, Texas, and Washington to create lots and infrastructure for single-family residential communities and revolving loans for the construction of single-family residences in such communities.
• Represented lender in the modification and assumption of a loan secured by the assuming borrower's inventory and receivables.
• Represented institutional lenders in structuring and finalizing forbearance agreements, in restructuring non-performing loans and in other types of loan modifications and workouts.

Renewable Energy

• Represented renewable energy developer in all real estate matters relating to the development of a 250 MW solar project on an approximately 2,700 acre site in Arizona, including related rights-of-way for necessary transmission line and obtaining a $1.45 billion loan guarantee from the Department of Energy.
• Represented renewable energy developer in negotiating a ground lease and renewable energy purchase agreement for the development of a large-scale solar project on land owned by an Arizona municipality.
• Represented renewable energy developer in acquiring options to purchase and option to lease over 1,100 acres of land in Arizona and California for the development of various solar projects.

Hospitality

• Represented owner and operator of hotels in all aspects of the development, acquisition, and disposition of hotel properties located throughout the United States, including the negotiation of joint venture agreements with equity partners and management agreements for hotel management.
• Represented developer of an 1,100 room beachfront casino resort in southeast Asia in negotiating a management agreement and technical services agreement with an internationally recognized hotel resort brand.
• Represented buyer of hotel casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and buyer of a luxury resort and spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
• Represented institutional lender in a construction loan for the development of a Cambria Suites hotel in Arizona and institutional lender in an acquisition loan for a Marriott in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 
• Represented institutional lender in the restructuring of a seven hotel portfolio loan.

Low Income Housing Tax Credits

• Represented developer in obtaining the proceeds of $8.2 million in tax-exempt bonds in connection with the acquisition and development of an affordable housing rental apartment complex in Florida.
• Represented developer in the syndication of approximately $40.5 million of low-income housing tax credits under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code for the development of an affordable housing rental apartment complex in the United States Virgin Islands.
• Represented institutional lender in making loans for the construction of an affordable housing project in Arizona that received an allocation of low income housing tax credits under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code and a Affordable Housing Program subsidy from the Federal Home Loan Bank, including the preparation of a intercreditor agreement.

Commercial Real Estate and Sale-Leaseback Transactions

• Represent national triple-net-sale-leaseback real estate investment trust (REIT) in single site and multiple property portfolio acquisition, disposition, leasing, and financing matters throughout the United States.
• Represented developer in all aspects of a two-phase acquisition of approximately 46 acres of land for the development of a 700-unit rental apartment complex in Florida.
• Represent real estate investment company in the acquisition and disposition of rental apartment complexes located throughout the United States.
• Represented Native American tribe in acquiring land, easements, and other rights needed for the development of a casino in Arizona.
• Represented landlord in negotiating lease with The Home Depot.
• Represented restaurant tenant in negotiating lease modification and resolving lease dispute with landlord.

News

Events

• Panelist, "Fun in the Sun?: Solar Energy Development in Arizona," Arizona State Bar, 2022 Advanced Current Issues: Real Estate, May 2022