Keith E. Linch 404.873.8736 [direct] 404.873.8737 [fax] keith.linch@agg.com Area of Practice Commercial Real Estate, Hospitality & Development

Mr. Linch is a partner in the firm's Real Estate Practice Group and is Chairman of the Hospitality Industry Focus Group. He has extensive experience in the areas of development, hospitality, design and construction, debt and equity capital formation, general commercial real estate, government relations, land planning, franchising and permitting, including the following types of engagements: structuring joint ventures, partnerships, and LLC's; hotel, golf and restaurant management, franchise and development; traditional and creative debt and equity financing vehicles; franchise offering circulars and agreements, systems and tradename and mark protection; sophisticated development, operating, access and other easements and declarations; corporate and partnership disputes; state, federal and international tax issues; architect, designer and construction agreements; complex diligence and title and survey issues; asbestos, wetlands and environmental issues; and, land use and zoning matters. His practice also entails the acquisition, disposition, leasing, and management of commercial real estate projects including office buildings, strip shopping centers, hotels, multi-family residential projects, telecommunications facilities, residential subdivisions, manufacturing and industrial facilities, nursing homes and other commercial properties.

Representative Transactions

• Representation of developers in the acquisition and construction of 150 room suite hotel, 70 room boutique property and other ground-up projects in the hospitality industry
  
• Representation of purchasers in the acquisition, expansion and redevelopment of strip centers, negotiation of development agreements with municipalities and other parties, anchor leasing and asset repositioning as well as preparation of easements and restrictive covenants associated therewith
  
• Representation of multi-family apartment investor in the acquisition, financing, management, partial condemnation and ultimate sale of apartment properties
  
• Representation of a developer/investor in the negotiation, planning, structuring and documentation of an equity facility with an investment bank for the acquisition and development of several hotels and all subsequent development, franchise, management and operating matters.
  
• Representation of venture relative to the recapitalization and restructuring of an existing entity in order to buy out existing partners and reposition the entity for additional capital formation and future acquisitions
  
• Representation of non-institutional lender in the conversion of debt to equity and overall financial restructuring of a limited partnership having substantial real estate assets
  
• Liquor, franchising and other licensing
  
• Representation of owners and franchisors in the negotiation and structuring of the hotel and fast-food franchise and management agreements

Professional Activities
American Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia

Education
B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana, 1983 (with honors)
J.D., Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, 1987

Admissions to Practice and Other Certifications
State of Georgia, 1989
State of Illinois, 1987
Certified Public Accountant, 1983
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia