Joanne L. Matzen
The practice of real estate law can transform communities and transform lives.
Contact: P /612.604.6641E /[email protected]
Administrative Contact: Mary Kay Booth P /612.604.6315E /[email protected]
Education
University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1988
- Member, Minnesota Law Review
Trinity College, B.A., Political Science, 1984
Bar Admissions
Minnesota, 1988
U.S. Supreme Court 2002
My Approach
I enjoy being a lawyer in transactional real estate because getting deals to close involves a collaborative process by many parties, each with their own interests, but usually all working toward a common goal. Real estate law requires trying to put together the pieces of a puzzle in such a way that they all fit. It’s precise, intellectual work but ultimately satisfying when I can actually see the tangible results – the buildings completed, the blighted neighborhoods transformed, the decent housing options provided.
My goal is to add value, perspective, and insight. I represent developers, buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants on all kinds of commercial real estate, including the acquisition, sale, lease and subdivision of property. I resolve title and survey issues, review loan documents and handle property tax appeals. As a former estate planner I advise on real estate issues involving trusts or estates. I have a particular depth of experience with common interest communities, having created more than 100 condominiums and planned communities and many mixed-use projects. I enjoy working out the details so that my clients don’t need to worry about them and can instead focus on their businesses.
Outside of work, I love to read, garden, and travel (particularly by foot or by bike). My favorite trips were hiking from mountain inn to mountain inn in Switzerland and biking all the way down the coast of California.
Practice Areas
Practicing Real Estate Development & Transactions
My Experience
I represent clients in real estate development and finance, with an emphasis in both commercial property and multifamily housing development (low income and market rate).
My experience includes:
- Representing sellers and purchasers in the sale and acquisition of improved and unimproved property
- Negotiating purchase agreements and conveyance documents
- Representing commercial, residential and mixed-use developers in the creation of common interest communities (condominiums, townhomes and other planned communities) and advising upon their ongoing administration
- Advising on the subdivision and vertical subdivision of mixed-use projects and other land use issues
- Negotiating and drafting complex easements
- Advising property taxpayers on real estate tax issues and conducting real estate tax appeals
- Advising on effectively structuring sales and seller financing
- Representing owners of real estate in the resolution of title issues through land title registrations, and quiet title actions, as well as in negotiations with neighboring landowners
- Reviewing titles, surveys and other due diligence materials
- Representing landlords and tenants in the negotiation and drafting of commercial leases
- Reviewing and negotiating complex public and private financing documents
- Representing lenders in the foreclosure of troubled loans and sellers in their cancellation of defaulted contracts for deed
Representative Matters
- Represented various redevelopers of historic buildings in their vertical subdivision to separate housing units above from retail and office uses below.
- Closed on hundreds of commercial and industrial properties, guiding both buyers and sellers through the complexities of financing and due diligence.
- Resolved title issues through negotiations, analysis and sometimes court proceedings.
- Represented numerous commercial landlords and tenants in all types of commercial leasing arrangements involving office, retail and industrial properties.
- Negotiated many property tax settlements for clients whose properties were overvalued or misclassified.
Also experienced in
Real Estate Finance
Honors & Awards
AV Preeminent
LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, Peer review ratings
Associations & Memberships
Minnesota State Bar Association
Member, Real Estate and Probate & Trust Law Sections