Gretchen M. Nichols Email & Phone Number

Buffalo/Niagara, New York Area

BENDERSON DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC (March 2014 - Present ): In-house real estate attorney supporting the legal leasing department of a national real estate developer in lease drafting, negotiation, execution and interpretation. Daily interaction and collaboration with the company’s principals; leasing agents; finance, construction and design departments; tenants and their legal counsel; banking representatives and real estate brokers.Responsible for managing and negotiating a large range and high volume of leases, which includes, but is not limited to, negotiating, drafting and revising leases, subleases, ground leases, lease modifications, letters of intent, consents, waivers, subordination agreements, estoppels, commission agreements, termination agreements and franchise riders. Analysis of land agreements for use in development, including Reciprocal Easement Agreements and Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. Maintain awareness of lease terms, obligations and responsibilities required in each lease, such as meeting penalty and dead dates and exclusives and restrictions to avoid violations of existing leases. Provide assistance in handling lease claims, property management issues, tenant disputes and collections. Review leasing documentation and related due diligence of newly acquired properties. Maintaining a strong working relationship with the Company Owners; Directors of Legal Leasing; the legal administrative staff; Company Departments such as signage, design and construction; tenants and their legal counsel; commercial brokers; and banking representatives.Perform due diligence requirements for purchase and sale projects.

Buffalo/Niagara, New York Area

Transactional attorney with law practice focused on corporate and business law, including, but not limited to, business formation, operations and dissolution; counseling business owners regarding growth opportunities and planning disposition/exit strategies; acquisitions; purchases and sales of assets; and managing and conducting due diligence process for acquisitions and sales. Experienced in drafting, negotiating and finalizing purchase and sale agreements, employment agreements, license agreements, distribution agreements, franchise agreements; guarantees and financing documents; independent contractor and non-competition agreements; employment policies; and employee handbooks and personnel policies.Skilled in negotiating, drafting and reviewing commercial and residential leases; resolving landlord/tenant issues; and participating in real estate transactions.Advisor to clients in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors on human resources issues, including but not limited to compliance with applicable laws with the goal of increasing workplace efficiency and preventing potentially disruptive litigation. Expanded law practice to include estate planning, including but not limited to drafting wills, powers of attorney and health care declarations, in addition to handling the probate of wills and the administration of small estates. Responsible for many managing partner duties including, but not limited to, overseeing staff; acting as contact person for administrative matters; negotiating and managing vendor contracts such as Westlaw; preparing, recording and maintaining firm’s policies and records; and coordinating firm's website and marketing efforts. Joined firm as law clerk during last semester of law school, continued as an associate attorney once admitted to practice law and became a partner in the firm on 1/1/2010.

Juris Doctor, Finance Transactions

Bachelor Of Arts, English/Political Science

High School, Regents