Education

• The George Washington University

  (B.A., cum laude, 1996)

• Case Western Reserve University School of Law

  (J.D., magna cum laude, 2000)
  Order of the Coif

Admissions

• State of Ohio

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

• Represents buyers and sellers (including REITs and other national developers) in the acquisition, sale, and development of shopping centers.
• Represents buyers and sellers in the acquisition and sale of a wide variety of commercial real estate properties, including office, industrial, warehouse, and apartment complexes, including properties with unique circumstances such as environmental contamination.
• Represents developers and sellers in the sale of land for residential subdivision developments.
• Represents owners and tenants (including national franchisors and other national tenants) in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating leases for retail, office and industrial properties.
• Represents national franchisors in sales of real estate to their franchisees and acquisitions of real estate from their franchisees.
• Represents clients involved in 1031 “Like-Kind” Exchanges, Reverse Exchanges and Forward Build to Suit Exchanges.
• Represents skilled nursing and assisted living facility owners and operators in drafting and negotiating real estate purchase agreements, leases, and loan documents in connection with the purchase and sale of long-term care facilities.
• Represents lenders in drafting and negotiating loan documents for a wide variety of real estate based loans, including loans for the acquisition and redevelopment of shopping centers, acquisition of apartment complexes, and conversion of apartment complexes to condominium projects.
• Represents secured lenders in connection with the workout of credit facilities and collection proceedings.
• Represents borrowers in negotiating loan documents for real estate based loans.
• Represents municipalities and other governmental organizations in the acquisition, development, and redevelopment of real estate.
• Represents public and private clients with respect to open records laws and other public law issues in relation to real estate development.
• Represents boards of education and property owners regarding the valuation of real property for purposes of property taxes and assessments.
• Involved in the representation of a variety of corporate and other entities in formation, general business, and commercial matters.
• Involved in the negotiation and documentation of the sale and purchase of businesses, both through asset purchase and share purchase, as well as the negotiation and documentation of merger agreements.
• Assists clients purchasing property through foreclosure sales and tax certificate foreclosure sales.

Client Alerts

• "COVID-19 Recommendations for Real Estate," Ulmer & Berne LLP Client Alert (March 2020)
• "Ohio Senate Bill 57 Legalizes Hemp Growing and Sale of CBD Products in Ohio," Ulmer & Berne LLP Client Alert (August 2019)

Presentations

• “Rethinking Restaurant Leases,” Restaurant Leases in a Post-COVID-19 World, myLawCLE (October 2022)
• “Restaurant Leases: Emerging Trends and Developments,” Strafford Webinar (March 2022)
• “Post Pandemic Trends in the Fast-Casual Restaurant Industry,” Ulmer Webinar (June 2021)
• “COVID-19 Collision Between Landlords and Tenants: Legal Theories and Compromise Strategies,” Ulmer Webinar (May 2020)
• “How to Handle Real Estate Transactions and Leases,” National Business Institute (July 2019)
• “1031 Exchange Structures, Alternatives, and State and Local Tax Concerns,” Ulmer Seminar (July 2019)
• “Negotiating and Drafting Restaurant Leases,” Strafford (April 2019)
• Guest Lecturer at Case Western School of Law (November 2018 and April 2019)
• “Restaurant Leases: Top Traps and Tips,” National Business Institute (July 2018)
• “Retail, Office & Restaurant Leases: Key Provisions and Warranties,” National Business Institute (March 2017)
• “Negotiating Retail Shopping Center and Office Building Leases,” National Business Institute (August 2014)
• “Key Provisions and Warranties – Pave the Way to a Fruitful Landlord-Tenant Relationship,” National Business Institute’s Retail, Office and Restaurant Leases (June 2013)
• “Negotiating Retail and Office Leases,” National Business Institute (April 2012)
• “Negotiating Retail Shopping Center and Office Building Leases,” National Business Institute (June 2010)
• “Leases, Evictions, Litigation and Settlements,” Landlord-Tenant Law (May 2010)
• “Commercial Leasing Market Overview,” Negotiating Commercial Leases (June 2009)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
• Commercial Real Estate Women

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Cleveland Restoration Society (Vice Chair, Board of Trustees)
• The Park Synagogue (Board of Trustees)

HONORS

• Ranked as one of Ohio’s “Leaders in Their Field” in Real Estate by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2022-2023)
• Named to The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law (2012-2024)
• Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2006-2007; 2009-2013; 2015)
• YWCA Woman of Professional Excellence Award (2011)

• Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 Report
• Chambers USA 2023 Report Gives Ulmer Top Marks
• Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Report
• Ulmer Earns Top Marks in Chambers USA 2022 Report
• Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Report
• Ulmer Partner Jodi Rich Appointed to Park Synagogue Board of Trustees
• Ulmer Partner Jodi Rich Elected Board Trustee for Cleveland Restoration Society
• Best Lawyers® 2020: 60 Ulmer Attorneys Recognized, Two Partners Named “Lawyer of the Year”