Brett C. Altier

Partner

Brett assists clients in all aspects of real estate law, including the development, acquisition, disposition, financing, 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 property valuation, 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 background, Brett is able to help clients confront and resolve legal issues involving land use and development while keeping strategic business goals squarely in focus.

Recognized for his professional achievements, Brett has been consistently named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America lists for both real estate and environmental law.

 

Education & Admissions

Education

  • Denison University

    (B.A., 2007)

  • Cleveland State University 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, retail, multi-family, and M&A 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, behavior health, and other healthcare facilities.
  • Advises real estate developers in connection with oil and gas, environmental, zoning, homeowners association, condominium association, title, and subdivision 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, property valuation, and environmental compliance and violations.
  • Represents property owners in appropriation matters for a variety of public projects, including road improvements, pipelines, and utility easements.

Publications & Presentations

Client Alerts

Publications

  • “New Ohio Law Protects Purchasers of Contaminated Property,” Crain’s Cleveland Business Guest Blog (September 2020)
  • “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)

Presentations

Involvement

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • Ingenuity Cleveland (Board of Directors)
  • Cleveland International Film Festival (Board of Directors)
  • Cleveland Bridge Builders (Class of 2020)
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (Environmental Law SectionPast Chair and Seminar Chair)

Honors

  • Named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Environmental Law; Real Estate Law (2021-2024)
  • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2020-2023)