Jeff brings to his clients a broad background in real estate, real estate development, and zoning and land use representation. He offers guidance in numerous transactional matters, advising and representing public and private entities on the acquisition, financing, development, and disposition of residential, retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use projects. Lenders, developers, and corporate owners look to Jeff for assistance in permanent and construction loan financing transactions, managing loan work-out, and restructuring transactions. He also negotiates economic development incentives agreements for commercial and industrial projects.
On regulatory matters, Jeff uses his extensive experience to help clients work with and stay in-step with local, state, and federal laws. He has appeared before local government boards and commissions for land entitlements, including re-zonings, special use permits, and planned unit development approvals. Jeff also counsels on the acquisition, use, management, and abandonment of easement for conservation, public transit, railroad lines, utilities, and transportation infrastructure. Additionally, he works with municipalities and other public and private entities to minimize risks while achieving shared goals in public/private partnerships.
Prior to joining Ward and Smith, Jeff served as North Carolina State University's Associate Vice Chancellor of Real Estate and Development. He was responsible for the strategic development of the school's Centennial Campus and strategic management of NC State's 100,000+ acre real-estate portfolio.