Michael J.Austin (Mike)

Partner

Chicago + 1.312.269.4094

Mike Austin represents clients in complex real estate transactions. His practice includes joint ventures, real estate private equity fund formations, sale-leaseback transactions, acquisition and disposition of real estate, and commercial leasing of retail and industrial space throughout the United States. In addition, he has assisted clients involved in developing public-private partnerships (P3s) with states, municipalities, and universities for the operation of major infrastructure assets, such as tollways, bridges, utility systems, and parking systems. Mike has been involved in some of the largest P3 infrastructure transactions in the United States, including representing The Ohio State University in connection with the monetization of its energy facilities for more than $1 billion.

In addition to Ohio State, Mike works regularly with clients such as MARK Capital Management, Orion Capital Managers, Mill Creek Residential Trust, TriGate Capital, and Shake Shack. He also helped represent the City of Detroit in the confirmation of its plan of adjustment, focusing on the City's infrastructure assets, including its electrical system, art collection, and real estate.

Prior to attending law school, Mike worked as a legal management consultant, providing consulting services to in-house legal departments for Fortune 500 companies.

Experience

  • Real estate fund amends its $15 million subscription facilityJones Day represented a real estate fund in connection with the amendment of its $15 million subscription facility, which among other things, extended the maturity of the facility, modified the commitment amount and replaced BSBY with SOFR.
  • Accord Catalyst Fund obtains subscription line credit facilityJones Day represented Accord Catalyst Fund in connection with a new subscription line credit facility.
  • Henderson Park sells stake in Westin Paris-Vendome to Dubai HoldingJones Day advised Henderson Park Real Estate Fund I in connection with the disposal of its stake in the iconic Westin Paris-Vendome hotel to its joint venture partner, Dubai Holding.
  • MARK Capital sells European portfolio to PrologisJones Day advised MARK Capital in the €1.585 billion sale of Crossbay (by Crossbay SCSp RAIF), its specialized pan-European last-mile logistics platform, to Prologis European Logistics Fund.
  • Henderson Park acquires D.C. Mandarin OrientalJones Day represented Henderson Park Capital Partners in its joint venture with Salamander Hospitality, LLC and the joint venture's $139 million acquisition and financing of the D.C. Mandarin Oriental, a 373-room luxury hotel located in the Southwest waterfront area of Washington D.C. 
  • Leading provider of education technology, services, and print and digital content amends $350 million secured credit facilityJones Day represented a leading provider of education technology, services, and print and digital content in connection with an amendment to its $350 million secured credit facility.
  • Henderson Park and South Street Partners acquire Palmetto Bluff Montage Hotel and ResortJones Day represented Henderson Park Capital Partners in its joint venture with South Street Partners and the joint venture's acquisition and financing of Palmetto Bluff, a 20,000-acre single family residential and resort community in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, situated between Charleston and Savannah.
  • Bespoke Capital Acquisition Corp. combines with Vintage Wine EstatesJones Day advised Bespoke Capital Acquisition Corp., a TSX listed special acquisition company ("BCAC"), on its business combination with Vintage Wine Estates, one of the fastest growing U.S. wine producers.
  • Georgetown University announces partnership for comprehensive energy P3 agreement with ENGIEJones Day represented Georgetown University in connection with the negotiation and commercial close of a comprehensive energy P3 agreement with ENGIE.
  • TriGate Capital forms joint venture with Parkside TPA Flats Partners, LLC for acquisition of nine low-rise office buildings portfolioJones Day advised TriGate Capital, LLC in its joint venture with Parkside TPA Flats Partners, LLC for the acquisition of a portfolio of nine low-rise office buildings.
  • University of Idaho announces public-private partnership for concession of university's utility systemJones Day represented the University of Idaho in connection with the University's public-private partnership with a joint venture between Plenary and Sacyr for a 50-year lease and concession of the University’s energy assets.
  • Greystar enters joint venture to develop portfolio of rental housing assets across São PauloJones Day advised Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC in its joint venture with a Canadian pension fund and a Brazilian real estate developer’s existing partnership to develop a portfolio of rental housing assets across São Paulo.
  • Mill Creek forms programmatic joint venture with fund managed by QuadReal Property GroupJones Day represented Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC in the creation of a programmatic joint venture with a fund managed by QuadReal Property Group.
  • PFA acquires stake in $1 billion U.S. multifamily portfolioJones Day represented Domain Capital Group, designated asset manager to U.S. multifamily operator Simpson Housing, in a joint venture with Danish pension fund PFA where PFA took a 49% stake in a $1.05 billion portfolio that includes apartment buildings in Austin, Charlotte, Denver, Houston, Nashville, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle and comprises nearly 3,500 units.
  • The University of Iowa forms comprehensive energy management program worth approximately $1.165 billionJones Day advised the University of Iowa (UI) in connection with the concession for its energy and water systems, in a public-private partnership (P3) with a consortium of ENGIE and Meridiam.
  • Foundry Commercial Partners completes recapitalization of its GP investment platformJones Day represented Foundry Commercial Partners, LLC in the recapitalization of its GP investment platform.
  • Meyer Bergman forms Crossbay Logistics FundJones Day advised Meyer Bergman, Ltd. in the formation and launch of Crossbay Logistics Fund, which is a pan-European real estate platform targeting single tenant assets in gateway cities.
  • Barings sells portfolio of light industrial assets on behalf of institutional client to Starwood Capital Group for £200 millionJones Day represented Baring International Investment Limited in connection with the sale of 10 UK urban industrial estates totaling 1.6 million square feet on behalf of an institutional client to Starwood Capital Group for £200 million.
  • DTE Energy enters into energy services agreement with Wayne County for utility plant serving Wayne County's to-be-constructed criminal justice centerJones Day advised DTE Energy in connection with the negotiation of an energy services agreement with Wayne County for a central utility plant serving Wayne County's to-be-constructed criminal justice center.
  • Arsenal Capital Partners acquires Seal for Life Industries from Berry Global Group Inc. for $328 millionJones Day advised Arsenal Capital Partners on the $328 million acquisition of Seal for Life Industries from Berry Global Group Inc.