(Birmingham, AL / September 14, 2009) Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, is pleased to announce that William R. Sylvester and C. Bradley Cherry have joined the Firm's Birmingham office as the newest additions to Baker Donelson's real estate practice group. Mr. Sylvester and Mr. Cherry were both previously with Walston Wells & Birchall, LLP.
Mr. Sylvester joins the Firm as shareholder. His practice focuses on commercial real estate development and business and tax planning for real estate. He has significant experience in the representation of commercial and residential real property developers, investors and lenders in a range of issues including the formation and capitalization of entities; improved and unimproved land acquisitions; the negotiation of mortgage, mezzanine and other debt arrangements; land use, permitting, brownfields, environmental and other regulatory concerns; leasing; property dispositions; the formation and operation of condominium associations, owners' associations and other community associations; and tax planning for the acquisition, operation and disposition of real properties. A member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, Mr. Sylvester has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (copyright 2009 by Woodward/White, Inc. of Aiken, SC) in the areas of real estate and tax law, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business and Alabama Super Lawyers. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and the University of Alabama, and also holds a Masters of Science in Operations Research from the Georgia Institute of Technology. From 1978 to 1996, Mr. Sylvester was with Baker Donelson's predecessor firm of Berkowitz, Lefkovits, Isom & Kushner.
Mr. Cherry, who joins as an associate, manages a diverse commercial real estate portfolio practice. His experience includes guiding clients through multifamily and golf course development transactions, acquisitions of manufacturing sites in the Southeast, as well as providing banking and financial counsel for clients. Mr. Cherry is a 2006 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law and a 2001 cum laude graduate of Birmingham-Southern College.
Chervis Isom, a shareholder in the Birmingham office and former chair of the Firm's real estate practice group, noted, "After working closely with Bill for 18 years during his previous tenure with us, I'm thrilled to have him rejoin our group. His reputation and experience are outstanding, and he and Brad are exceptionally strong additions to our practice."
"We are delighted to welcome Bill and Brad to the Firm," said Timothy M. Lupinacci, managing shareholder of Baker Donelson's Birmingham office. "Their strong backgrounds in real estate bring even further depth to our experienced and well-regarded real estate team."