Brandon R. Cottrell

Brandon focuses his practice on real estate transactions and related areas including representing borrowers, equity sponsors, commercial banks, funds, regional and local banks, and other financial institutions in a variety of loan transactions including asset-based (accounts receivable, inventory and equipment) loans, and permanent, bridge and construction loans, mezzanine financings, and credit facilities secured by all asset classes including retail, office, hotel, industrial, multifamily and mixed use.

Brandon also represents developers and investors in the negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, leases, development agreements, construction contracts and general business contracts. Brandon has driven significant development and redevelopment projects from inception through completion, including casinos, golf courses and country clubs, hotels and resorts, shopping centers, medical office buildings, mixed use buildings, solar and wind farms, and student and senior housing.

Brandon previously worked in a prominent, state-wide public finance and economic development practice where he counseled industrial development agencies, local development corporations, municipalities, trustees, underwriters, developers and investors on a variety of transactions, including private activity bonds, general obligation bonds, tax credit transactions, payments-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements and increment financings. He continues to devote a significant portion of his current practice on such transactions. Brandon also has experience leading middle market financing transactions.

Representative Matters

Represented purchaser in acquisitions (and related leasing and financing) of multi-tenant retail shopping centers, both un-anchored and anchored, throughout the United States with a minimum gross leasable area of 25,000 square feet.

Represented purchaser in acquisitions (and related leasing and financing) of multi-tenant office buildings throughout the United States with a minimum gross leasable area of 75,000 square feet.

Represented developer of a five-story mixed use building with retail, Class A office space and luxury apartments.

Represented developer in the redevelopment of an existing office tower into a mixed use building with ground floor retail, office space and affordable apartments.

Represented developer of a mixed use project located on 16 acres, which involved the renovation of existing buildings and new construction to create a mix of retail, general office, medical office and affordable apartments.

Acted as bond counsel for financings of construction or renovation of senior and affordable housing, libraries, charter schools, hospital systems, college campuses and continuing care communities.

Represented owner in acquisition of a multi-family housing portfolio containing over 1,000 units in multiple states and financed through regional lender bridge loan and refinanced with a Freddie Mac permanent loan.

Represented lender in connection with a $75 million dollar loan secured by a 375,000 square feet, 17-story tower with 500 parking spaces.

Represented private fund in making a $10 million dollar revolving line of credit.

Represented developer in acquisitions of vacant property (including assemblage of multiple parcels) and development of free-standing single or multi-tenant commercial buildings and related leasing with national retailers and quick service restaurants.

Represented developer of a mixed use, LEED certified project involving 100,000 square feet of medical office space, 17,500 square feet of retail space, and a mix of affordable and luxury apartments.

Represented IDAs and owners/developers in “straight lease” transactions to facilitate mortgage recording tax exemptions, sales and use tax exemptions and real property tax abatements for projects involving: solar energy and battery storage, wind farms, manufacturing and other industrial facilities, amusement parks, warehouses, office space and mixed-use developments.

• Listed, Best Lawyers in America Ones to Watch (Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law) 2024

Brandon graduated first in his class at Syracuse University College of Law. While at Syracuse, Brandon also received the following honors:

• Syracuse Law Review, editor
• Justinian Honor Society
• Order of the Coif
• Pinnacle Academic Achievement Award
• Chancellor’s Scholar
• 2015 Donald C. Alexander National Writing Competition, winner
• CALI Excellence for the Future Award Winner: Contracts; Legal Communications and Research I; Property; Legal Communications and Research III; Business Associations; Bankruptcy Law; and Corporate Compliance Law

https://twitter.com/bcottrellesq

• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
• Trustee, Pittsford Community Library