John Wasserman Email & Phone Number

Portland, Or / Seattle, Wa

Portland, Oregon Area

I represented Prosper Portland (formerly the Portland Development Commission) in a wide range of transactional matters, primarily involving real estate, finance (secured lending and grants), and construction. My practice at Prosper Portland also included advising the agency on government law matters, including procurement, public records, constitutional issues, and legislation, as well as other general legal issues as needed.My transactional experience at Prosper Portland included:• Serving as the agency's lead counsel in all aspects of the mixed-use development at 106th & Halsey in Northeast Portland (now known as The Nick Fish), including a complex structured financing involving New Markets and Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding structures, various real estate matters (such as ground leasing, retail leasing, and reciprocal easements), and more.• Representing the agency in dozens of secured lending transactions of all shapes and sizes, including acquisition loans, capital improvement loans, and working capital loans.• Serving as counsel for the agency in real estate acquisitions (including the acquisition of the former Northwest Natural surface lot at NW 4th & Flanders) and dispositions (including disposition of a commercial condominium to the Japanese-American Museum of Oregon pursuant to a Land Sale Contract).• Advising the agency on grant-related matters, including drafting grant agreements, developing template agreements and program guidelines, and advising on compliance with the requirements of various Federal and State grant programs that fund the agency's activities, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the Federal CARES Act, and more.• Drafting, negotiating, and interpreting contracts involving all phases of real estate development, including architect's agreements, pre-construction services agreements, construction contracts for various delivery models, property management agreements, and retail leases.

Cincinnati, Ohio

I served as a transactional attorney for the City of Cincinnati on a wide variety of matters involving real estate, finance, construction, contracting, and organizational issues. My practice at the City focused on transactional matters, but it also included representing and advising City officials, boards and legislative bodies on a wide variety of legal issues and assisting with litigation / dispute resolution.My specific experience includes:• Serving as the City's primary legal counsel on all phases of numerous public/private projects involving hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in infrastructure, residential units, and commercial space, including:(1) the $90MM Court & Walnut mixed-use development, which involved an agreement to bring the first full-service grocery store to downtown Cincinnati in nearly 50 years (https://bit.ly/34Xs2V6)(2) the relocation of Messer Construction's corporate headquarters to Cincinnati's West End neighborhood (https://bit.ly/3n2ZnEv)(3) the $100MM redevelopment of Avondale Town Center in Cincinnati's Avondale neighborhood (https://bit.ly/3xZvn29)• A complex, multi-party commercial eviction litigation proceeding that restored a large office tower in the Central Business District to the City's possession;• Advising the Department of Community and Economic Development, other departments, and City officials on legislative and policy matters relating to development, contracting, and diversity / equity / inclusion;• Assisting with the creation and implementation of City and departmental policies relating to development, finance and real estate;• Speaking before City Council and Council committees regarding various development projects and development-related legislation; and• Supervising a team of transactional attorneys working for the City.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio Area

I represented lenders and borrowers in a variety of financial and commercial transactions, including asset based lending, workouts, acquisition financing, and corporate restructuring. The clients that I assisted at Vorys ranged from large national banking institutions and Fortune 500 companies to individuals and small businesses.My experience at Vorys also includes having represented national and local commercial real estate developers, government entities, and high net worth individuals in a variety of commercial and residential real estate transactions.

Greater Chicago Area

Researched and wrote on various issues as a Research Assistant for Professor Brian Leiter, including the legal market, constitutional law, legal philosophy, and religious tolerance

Cincinnati, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio Area

Served as a judicial extern to the Hon. Michael H. Watson. Researched numerous legal issues, drafted opinions and prepared memoranda, including an appellate bench memorandum for Judge Watson, who sat by designation on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Doctor Of Law (Jd) With Honors

Activities and Societies: Staff Member (2010 - 2011) and Comment Editor (2011-2012) - The University of Chicago Legal Forum; Vice.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Summa Cum Laude With Honors In The Liberal Arts, Philosophy, Business (Minor)

Activities and Societies: Dean's List (Fall 2006 - Spring 2009); Conference Chair (2008-2009) - Ohio State Undergraduate Philosophy Club.