Michael Fritz
PEOPLE

Michael Fritz

Partner
fritz.michael@dorsey.com

Overview

Mike practices in the areas of commercial real estate and corporate law.

Mike concentrates his practice on commercial real estate capital market transactions and general corporate counseling. He regularly advises national and multinational clients in the commercial real estate industry. Mike has over 17 years of experience in handling complex and high-value transactions, such as acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and joint ventures.

A large part of Mike’s practice is dedicated to representing developers, sponsors, investors, and other capital market participants. Mike regularly handles the acquisition, development, and disposition of commercial real estate assets, mortgage and mezzanine financings, preferred equity investments, and the structuring of joint ventures. In his joint venture practice, Mike focuses on helping his commercial real estate clients structure joint ventures for both single asset and programmatic real estate investment strategies.

Mike’s clients also rely on him to provide advice and counsel in a broad range of commercial matters, including financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distressed investments, and private placements. He understands the complexities of his client’s businesses and provides a pragmatic approach to providing legal services with efficient execution. 

Education & Admissions

Quinnipiac University School of Law (J.D., 2006), summa cum laude

Quinnipiac University (B.S., Economics, 2003), magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Connecticut
  • New York
  • Not admitted in Arizona. Admitted in New York and Connecticut.

Experience

Commercial Real Estate Experience

  • Represented student housing developer in connection with the establishment of a national programmatic student housing joint venture platform.
  • Represented New York City developer in connection with debt and joint venture transactions related to multiple midtown Manhattan mixed-use tower developments.
  • Representation developer/sponsor in connection with the formation and closing of a single-asset fund, and joint venture matter with respect to a multifamily project located in Denver, Colorado.
  • Represented real estate debt funds in connection with preferred equity and joint venture investments across the nation in various asset classes.

Corporate Matters Related to Commercial Real Estate

  • Represented indoor soccer facility developer and operator in connection with a joint venture with the investment arm of an international football/soccer organization.
  • Represented management of regional outdoor adventure park company in connection with management buy-out of existing ownership.
  • Represented international family office in connection with multiple investments in commercial real estate joint ventures across the United States.
  • Represented real estate-based registered investment advisor in connection with corporate spinout from larger registered investment advisor group and establishment of independent management company.

General Corporate/M&A

  • Represented U.K.-based private equity fund in connection with acquisition of U.S.-based pharmaceutical data analytics company.
  • Represented investment arm of Middle Eastern bank in connection investment in a U.S.-based venture capital funds.
  • Represented various borrowers and lenders in connection with commercial finance transactions, including term and revolving credit facilities, syndicated credit facilities, second lien/mezzanine loans, and asset-based loans.
  • Represented various family-owned businesses in connection with disposition of family-owned businesses in industries such as financial services, logistics, manufacturing, surgical supply, and transportation.

*Certain representations occurred prior to joining Dorsey

News & Resources

News & Press Mentions

Real Estate Partner Michael Fritz Joins Dorsey in Phoenix
  • The CMBS debt wave is crashing down on San Francisco – San Francisco Business Times, January 2024
  • Promote Crystallization in Real Estate Joint Ventures: Agreement Structure, Benefits, Mechanics, Strafford CLE, October 2023
  • Multifamily Housing Acquisitions: Emerging Trends in Debt Assumptions Combined with Preferred or Common Equity, Strafford CLE, August 2023
  • Structuring Preferred Equity Investments in Real Estate Ventures, Strafford CLE, November 2022

Professional & Civic

Community Involvement

  • Member, Brophy College Preparatory Dad’s Club
Michael Fritz