John Livingston is a highly accomplished attorney specializing in complex commercial real estate and energy transactions. With a comprehensive understanding of diverse legal landscapes, John Livingston consistently delivers strategic and effective counsel to a wide range of clients, from startups to multinational corporations. His expertise spans across acquisitions, dispositions, financing, development, leasing, and joint ventures, making him a trusted advisor in high-stakes deals.
Real Estate Development and Investment Expertise
John Livingston has a proven track record of guiding clients through intricate real estate projects. His experience includes representing developers in the purchase and development of large-scale residential and commercial properties. For instance, he represented a developer in the complex purchase and development of a 238 townhouse rent-to-own project, encompassing infrastructure development and amenity construction.
His expertise extends to representing property owners and investors in various transactions. John Livingston represented a shopping center owner in a digital and static sign lease, enhancing the vibrancy of an uptown shopping center. He also advised a regional developer in forming a joint venture for the acquisition of a prominent shopping center, navigating joint venture formations, leasing agreements, and property management contracts.
John Livingston’s experience includes representing clients in the acquisition and disposition of multifamily properties. He assisted a New York-based real estate management and investment company in purchasing over $113 million in apartment projects across multiple Southern states, handling complex financing and corporate issues. He also represented Hudson Capital Properties in the time-sensitive disposition of 15 multi-family properties valued at over a billion dollars, showcasing his ability to manage large, complex portfolio transactions efficiently. Furthermore, John Livingston represented Stonecutter Capital in both the purchase and sale of apartment complexes, demonstrating his versatility in handling different sides of real estate transactions.
His work also involves representing clients in leasing matters, from office spaces to retail centers. He represented a startup in leasing office space with intricate bankruptcy issues and negotiated on behalf of regional developers with extensive office and flex space portfolios. John Livingston’s broad real estate experience also encompasses representing clients in the condominiumization and sale of mixed-use developments, including a significant project in midtown Raleigh with substantial office and retail space.
Energy and Renewable Energy Sector Acumen
John Livingston is deeply involved in the burgeoning renewable energy sector, representing clients in the development, financing, and sale of solar and wind energy projects. He represented a multi-national telecommunications company in a REC Purchase Agreement for project RECs from a mid-western windfarm, navigating the complexities of defaulted virtual PPAs.
His solar energy expertise is particularly notable. John Livingston represented a solar developer in the development and sale of massive 484 MW utility-scale solar farms. He has also assisted clients in developing and financing 20 MW solar facilities, handling joint venture agreements, power purchase agreements, and EPC contracts. His experience also includes representing early-stage developers in the development and sale of various solar facilities ranging from 20.8 MW to 75 MW, showcasing his ability to support projects of different scales.
John Livingston’s work extends to advising on innovative energy solutions, such as representing a cryptocurrency mining facility in procuring solar energy and advising an electric vehicle maker in environmental and corporate diligence for a potential lithium mine purchase. He has also negotiated numerous PPA and REC agreements for renewable energy project developers, totaling over 300 MW of capacity, and represented clients in rooftop solar transactions and projects under Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage program.
Corporate Finance and Transactional Prowess
Beyond real estate and energy, John Livingston possesses significant experience in corporate finance and complex transactional matters. He represented borrowers in substantial Freddie Mac financing deals, including a $140 million financing secured by six multi-family projects in Texas. He also represented Goldsboro Milling Company in securing a $170 million loan and in the exchange of active feed mill operations, navigating environmental, labor, and other intricate issues.
His corporate transactional experience includes representing clients in mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures across various industries. He served as lead counsel in the sale of interests in a portfolio of twenty solar projects to an international purchaser, managing complexities related to differing development stages and tax-equity positions. John Livingston also represented the seller of the iconic Krog Street Market and Atlanta Stove Works urban mixed-use development, demonstrating his capability in handling high-profile and significant transactions.
Conclusion
John Livingston stands out as a highly skilled and versatile attorney with a deep understanding of commercial real estate, energy, and corporate law. His extensive experience, coupled with his strategic approach, makes him an invaluable asset to clients navigating complex legal challenges. Whether it’s developing large-scale renewable energy projects, managing billion-dollar real estate portfolios, or structuring intricate financial transactions, John Livingston consistently delivers successful outcomes, solidifying his reputation as a leading legal expert in his field.
