Brett C. Altier
Associate
Brett assists clients in all aspects of real estate, energy, and environmental law, including the development, acquisition, disposition, and leasing of property. Beyond his transactional work, Brett’s practice encompasses a significant amount of litigation to resolve a variety of complex real estate and environmental disputes, including mineral rights, title issues, and eminent domain.
Prior to joining Ulmer, Brett worked as a petroleum landman. Brett’s previous experience equips him with a foundational understanding of the unique issues his clients face. Using that information, Brett is able to help clients confront and resolve legal issues involving mineral development and land use while keeping strategic business goals squarely in focus.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Denison University
(B.A., 2007)
- Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
(J.D., magna cum laude, 2011)
Cleveland State Law Review, Managing Editor
Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Experience
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Represents buyers and sellers in the acquisition, sale, and development of a wide variety of commercial real estate properties, including mixed-use, office, industrial, warehouse, multi-family, and portfolio transactions.
- Represents landlords and tenants in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating leases.
- Drafts and negotiates purchase and sale agreements, declarations of covenants and restrictions, easements, tenant-in-common agreements, financing agreements, and other instruments involving real estate.
- Represents skilled nursing and assisted living facility owners and operators in drafting acquisition, leasing and divestiture documents for long-term care facilities.
- Represents clients in a broad range of matters involving oil and gas, coal, gold, and other minerals, such as purchase/sale, leasing, right of ways, Bureau of Land Management mining claims, title opinions, due diligence, permitting, and regulatory compliance.
- Advises real estate developers in connection with oil and gas, environmental, zoning, homeowners association, condominium association, title and platting issues and requirements.
- Researches and analyzes real estate, environmental, and energy law and regulations to provide legal advice and recommendations to clients.
- Represents clients in litigation and administrative proceedings, including matters involving purchase/sale, title issues, mineral rights, landlord-tenant disputes, commercial eviction, and environmental compliance and violations.
- Represents property owners in appropriation matters for a variety of public projects, including road improvements, pipelines, and utility easements.
- Represents Boards of Education and property owners regarding the valuation of real property for purposes of property taxes and assessments.
- Assists clients with liquor related matters, including new permits, transfers, and TREX (economic development).
Publications & Presentations
Publications
- “Can you dig it? Mineral Rights Update,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Real Estate Law Institute (2017)
- “Oil and Gas Law Update,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Real Estate Law Institute (2014)
- “Municipal Predatory Lending in Ohio: The Disproportionate Impact of Preemption on Ohio’s Cities,” Cleveland State Law Review (2011)
Involvement
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Environmental Law Section Seminar Chair and Past Chair.
- Brett is involved with the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s 3Rs Program. The 3Rs – Rights, Responsibilities, and Realities – is a program of the CMBA, partnering with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and East Cleveland City Schools to address issues facing the students, city and region.
FIRM INVOLVEMENT
- Associate Liaison Committee