John Sherrell retired from the partnership in June 2011, with more than 30 years of experience in the practice of real estate law. He was one of the leading practitioners on California real estate finance law and was lender's counsel on hundreds of lending transactions, including development, construction and permanent loans, letter of credit enhanced bond financings, participating mortgage loans and real estate loan workouts. He had substantial experience representing property owners and developers on acquisition, development, financing, leasing, sale and tax-deferred exchange transactions. His experience has extended to almost every type of property, including office, industrial, shopping center, hotel, residential subdivision, manufactured housing, healthcare, oil refinery, wind energy and power plant facilities. Mr. Sherrell has given numerous lectures and presentations on real estate-related topics. He was a partner of the firm since 1985. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Sherrell served on the firm's Executive Committee.
The following is a representative list of transactions on which Mr. Sherrell served as lead counsel:
Development Transactions
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Catellus Development Corporation in its development of the Metropolitan Water District headquarters project at LA Union Station
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Catellus Development Corporation in the creation of restrictive covenants and reciprocal easements for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority headquarters project at LA Union Station
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Mar Ventures in its development of a mixed use project in South Bay area of Los Angeles County
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Technicolor in the development of a videocassette warehouse in Camarillo, California
Joint Ventures
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Trimark Ventures in connection with the formation of a joint venture with Cargill and Golden Boy Partners to develop inner-city housing
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Health Care Property Investors in connection with the formation of a venture to own medical office building assets in San Diego, California
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A major bank in connection with the formation of an entry-level home finance partnership with CalPers
Financing Transactions (Borrower-side)
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Noble Environmental Power in debt and equity funding of 282-megawatt wind energy project
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Noble Environmental Power in debt and equity funding of 330-megawatt wind energy project
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Catellus Development Corporation in its US$200 million loan from Prudential Mortgage secured by industrial property portfolio
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Arden Realty in its US$104 million securitized loan from Lehman Brothers secured by office property portfolio
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Vedder Community Management in its US$75 million loan from SunAmerica secured by manufactured housing communities
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Caroline Hunt Estate in its financing of Beverly Hills and Maui hotel properties
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Kolberg, Kravis & Roberts in the secured financing for buy-out of the Motel 6 chain
Financing Transactions (Lender-Side)
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General Electric Capital Corporation in its US$200 million financing of Burnham Pacific's retail portfolio
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General Electric Capital Corporation in its US$75 million financing of Westcore Industrial Properties' office and industrial property portfolio
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A major bank in numerous construction loan transactions
- Chase Manhattan Bank in numerous construction loan transactions
Acquisition Transactions
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Nippon Life Insurance Company in its acquisition of a 50% interest in the Union Bank tower in downtown Los Angeles
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Treptow Development Company in its acquisition of land for development of the 22-story office building at 800 South Grand in downtown Los Angeles
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GI Partners in connection with the acquisition of a portfolio of skilled healthcare facilities
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Ultramar, Inc. in the acquisition of its Wilmington, California, oil refinery
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Technicolor in the acquisition of its Camarillo, California, videocassette warehouse and office complex
Sale Transactions
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Southern California Edison in the sale of 12 fossil fuel fired generating plants
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Southern California Edison in the sale of its oil pipeline and terminal company
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Catellus Development Corporation in the sale of the Metropolitan Water District headquarters site
Leasing Transactions
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Treptow Development in its lease-up of 800 South Grand in downtown Los Angeles
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Havas Interactive (subsidiary of Vivendi) in various lease transactions, including its lease of headquarters space at Howard Hughes Center in West Los Angeles
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Xerox Corporation in its lease of retail space for its Xerox Center chain throughout the United States
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Mar Ventures in build-to-suit lease of Hawthorne, California, property
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Technicolor in various leases at its Universal City headquarters
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Ewing family in connection with the ground lease of land for major parking facility at Los Angeles International Airport