Overview

Mike Thornton is a commercial real estate lawyer with extensive experience representing owners and developers of retail, office, multifamily and hotel properties. Mike co-leads the Real Estate Development practice group at Smith Anderson. His practice consists of a broad range of real estate matters, including finance, leasing and joint ventures. 

Areas of Focus

Credentials

Recognition

  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers, Real Estate (2016-2023)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law (2010-2024)
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Real Estate 

Education

  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, 1994
  • B.A., University of North Carolina, with honors, 1991

Bar & Court Admissions

Affiliations

  • International Council of Shopping Centers, Member & Board of Editors, The Retail Law Strategist
  • Midtown Raleigh Alliance, Executive Committee & Board of Directors
  • Wake County Real Property Lawyers Association, (President, 2001)
  • LEED Accredited Professional

Experience

  • Represents publicly traded-REITs and institutional owners of shopping center and mall portfolios on a national basis for acquisitions & dispositions, leasing and financing matters.
  • Represented an owner of 300,000 square-foot office tower in sale and retention of ownership stake through implementation of new joint venture structure.
  • Formation of condominium ownership structure for mixed-use retail and residential building in connection with the sale of 409 apartment units.
  • Represented a hotel management company in the disposition of a multistate portfolio of twenty hotels valued at over $350 million.
  • Represented a developer of a residential leasehold condominium project within a community of commercial and governmental research facilities located on a state university campus.
  • Represented a municipality in connection with the long-term ground leasing of town-owned property to a private developer for mixed use retail and residential development incorporating public open space for art and cultural events.
  • Represented developers in successful rezoning cases involving a 179-acre mixed-use development, including retail, office, residential and hotel uses, and a mixed-use in-fill development located on eleven acres.
  • Represented a global solid state LED lighting and semiconductor manufacturing company in connection with the real estate aspects of its announced agreement for its $850 million sale of assets to a publicly traded German semiconductor company. The transaction was terminated before completion due to regulatory considerations.

Insights

News

Publications & Alerts

Flexibility and Financial Security: Retail Leasing in 2009 and Beyond, Retail Law Strategist - Volume 9, Issue 7, September  2009

Jump to Page

This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and improve functionality. To learn more, you may view our Privacy Policy. By continuing to browse Smith Anderson's website, you are accepting our use of cookies in accordance with our privacy policy.