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Rob M.
Davies

  • Partner
rdavies@wnj.com
Grand Rapids
T 616.752.2133
F 616.752.2500

My admin

People tell me I’m an excellent communicator, not only with clients, but with colleagues and opposing counsel as well. At the end of the day, everybody wants to feel good about the transactions they’re involved in. By working through difficult issues without bringing emotions into things, I’m able to take a practical approach, which enhances my ability to serve my clients and advance their interests.

In his two-pronged practice, Rob Davies advises clients on loan origination and real estate matters. On the lending front, he serves as a borrower and lender counsel in commercial finance transactions and represents banks and debtors in asset-based lending and mortgage loan financings. He also acts as bank, borrower and bond counsel in tax-exempt and taxable financing transactions. Additionally, Rob serves as local counsel to borrowers to provide local counsel on opinion letters for loan transactions. 

industries

practices

  • Prepare and negotiate loan documents on behalf of lender and borrower clients.
  • Acts as borrower’s counsel in HUD-insured loans to health care providers and low-income housing project developers.
  • Served as bank counsel in its direct purchase of tax-exempt bonds and taxable notes.
  • Served as bond counsel in the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by the Michigan Finance Authority, Michigan Strategic Fund and local Michigan hospital finance authorities.
  • Serves as local counsel to borrowers for the purpose of providing local counsel opinion letters for loan transactions.
  • Prepares store leases for major retail entities and many types of franchises.
  • Assisted with the development of numerous residential and busine
  • Prepare and negotiate loan documents on behalf of lender and borrower clients.
  • Acts as borrower’s counsel in HUD-insured loans to health care providers and low-income housing project developers.
  • Served as bank counsel in its direct purchase of tax-exempt bonds and taxable notes.
  • Served as bond counsel in the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by the Michigan Finance Authority, Michigan Strategic Fund and local Michigan hospital finance authorities.
  • Serves as local counsel to borrowers for the purpose of providing local counsel opinion letters for loan transactions.
  • Prepares store leases for major retail entities and many types of franchises.
  • Assisted with the development of numerous residential and business sites and traditional condominiums.
  • Negotiated purchases, sales and leases for hospitals and other health care providers.
  • Represented seller in a multi-state sale of hotels.
  • Represented sellers in real estate portfolio sales to REITs.
  • Acquisition of mineral rights and preparation of related title options for clients through Michigan.
  • “What Does the LIBOR Phaseout Mean for You?,” TerraLex Webinar, February 4, 2021
  • “COVID-19 Panel: What Your C-Suite Should Be Thinking About,” Warner Webinar, July 21, 2020
  • “Negotiating Loan Commitment Letters,” State Bar of Michigan Real Property Section Summer Conference, July 15, 2016
  • “Top 10 Lease Issues for Tenants Lacking Negotiating Leverage,” ICSC 2013 Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania Retail Development & Law Symposium, Columbus, Ohio
  • “Maximizing Tax Credits and Other Financial Incentives for Real Estate Develo
  • “What Does the LIBOR Phaseout Mean for You?,” TerraLex Webinar, February 4, 2021
  • “COVID-19 Panel: What Your C-Suite Should Be Thinking About,” Warner Webinar, July 21, 2020
  • “Negotiating Loan Commitment Letters,” State Bar of Michigan Real Property Section Summer Conference, July 15, 2016
  • “Top 10 Lease Issues for Tenants Lacking Negotiating Leverage,” ICSC 2013 Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania Retail Development & Law Symposium, Columbus, Ohio
  • “Maximizing Tax Credits and Other Financial Incentives for Real Estate Development,” Lorman presentation, January 10, 2012
  • “Successor Developer Issues,”Real Estate Section of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, October 13, 2009
  • “Lender Issues With Troubled Condominium Projects,” July 30, 2009
  • “Synergy, 2008, Deal or No Deal – Purchase Agreement Negotiations”
  • “Condominiums as a Creative Land Development Technique,” Plat and Subdivision Law, May 22, 2007
    • “Negotiating Loan Commitment Letters,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, July 2016
    • “Telemedicine Leases: So the Doctor Can Always See You,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, November 29, 2013
    • “Franchises Need to Understand Lease Options,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, December 8, 2012
    • “New Program Streamlines Development and Funding of Affordable Housing,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, December 27, 2011
    • Caught in a Trap–Lenders Become Obligated to Finish Condo Project When Developers Go Belly-Up,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, November 16, 2009
    • “What Banks Need to Know When Taking Control of Unfinished Condo Proje
    • “Negotiating Loan Commitment Letters,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, July 2016
    • “Telemedicine Leases: So the Doctor Can Always See You,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, November 29, 2013
    • “Franchises Need to Understand Lease Options,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, December 8, 2012
    • “New Program Streamlines Development and Funding of Affordable Housing,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, December 27, 2011
    • Caught in a Trap–Lenders Become Obligated to Finish Condo Project When Developers Go Belly-Up,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, November 16, 2009
    • “What Banks Need to Know When Taking Control of Unfinished Condo Projects,” Michigan Banker, September, 2009
    • “Condo Foreclosures Draw Bank’s Eye,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, May 26, 2009
    Image for Rob M. Davies

    Rob M.
    Davies

    • Partner
    rdavies@wnj.com
    Grand Rapids
    T 616.752.2133
    F 616.752.2500

    My admin

    Biography|
    Credentials

    People tell me I’m an excellent communicator, not only with clients, but with colleagues and opposing counsel as well. At the end of the day, everybody wants to feel good about the transactions they’re involved in. By working through difficult issues without bringing emotions into things, I’m able to take a practical approach, which enhances my ability to serve my clients and advance their interests.

    In his two-pronged practice, Rob Davies advises clients on loan origination and real estate matters. On the lending front, he serves as a borrower and lender counsel in commercial finance transactions and represents banks and debtors in asset-based lending and mortgage loan financings. He also acts as bank, borrower and bond counsel in tax-exempt and taxable financing transactions. Additionally, Rob serves as local counsel to borrowers to provide local counsel on opinion letters for loan transactions. 

    industries

    practices

    • “What Does the LIBOR Phaseout Mean for You?,” TerraLex Webinar, February 4, 2021
    • “COVID-19 Panel: What Your C-Suite Should Be Thinking About,” Warner Webinar, July 21, 2020
    • “Negotiating Loan Commitment Letters,” State Bar of Michigan Real Property Section Summer Conference, July 15, 2016
    • “Top 10 Lease Issues for Tenants Lacking Negotiating Leverage,” ICSC 2013 Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania Retail Development & Law Symposium, Columbus, Ohio
    • “Maximizing Tax Credits and Other Financial Incentives for Real Estate Develo
    • “What Does the LIBOR Phaseout Mean for You?,” TerraLex Webinar, February 4, 2021
    • “COVID-19 Panel: What Your C-Suite Should Be Thinking About,” Warner Webinar, July 21, 2020
    • “Negotiating Loan Commitment Letters,” State Bar of Michigan Real Property Section Summer Conference, July 15, 2016
    • “Top 10 Lease Issues for Tenants Lacking Negotiating Leverage,” ICSC 2013 Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania Retail Development & Law Symposium, Columbus, Ohio
    • “Maximizing Tax Credits and Other Financial Incentives for Real Estate Development,” Lorman presentation, January 10, 2012
    • “Successor Developer Issues,”Real Estate Section of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, October 13, 2009
    • “Lender Issues With Troubled Condominium Projects,” July 30, 2009
    • “Synergy, 2008, Deal or No Deal – Purchase Agreement Negotiations”
    • “Condominiums as a Creative Land Development Technique,” Plat and Subdivision Law, May 22, 2007
      • “Negotiating Loan Commitment Letters,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, July 2016
      • “Telemedicine Leases: So the Doctor Can Always See You,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, November 29, 2013
      • “Franchises Need to Understand Lease Options,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, December 8, 2012
      • “New Program Streamlines Development and Funding of Affordable Housing,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, December 27, 2011
      • Caught in a Trap–Lenders Become Obligated to Finish Condo Project When Developers Go Belly-Up,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, November 16, 2009
      • “What Banks Need to Know When Taking Control of Unfinished Condo Proje
      • “Negotiating Loan Commitment Letters,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, July 2016
      • “Telemedicine Leases: So the Doctor Can Always See You,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, November 29, 2013
      • “Franchises Need to Understand Lease Options,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, December 8, 2012
      • “New Program Streamlines Development and Funding of Affordable Housing,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, December 27, 2011
      • Caught in a Trap–Lenders Become Obligated to Finish Condo Project When Developers Go Belly-Up,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, November 16, 2009
      • “What Banks Need to Know When Taking Control of Unfinished Condo Projects,” Michigan Banker, September, 2009
      • “Condo Foreclosures Draw Bank’s Eye,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, May 26, 2009