Lori M Ambriola
Lori M. Ambriola is a partner at Sonkin • Koberna and a part of the firm’s transactional group. Prior to joining Sonkin • Koberna in June 2005, Lori spent nine years in the Cleveland offices of Baker & Hostetler LLP, where she developed a real estate and transactional practice with emphasis on acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and financing matters, including transaction structuring, document preparation, negotiation, due diligence and closing. While at Baker & Hostetler, she served as the lead attorney on many complex transactions, with responsibility for selecting and supervising other team members, including attorneys and paralegals specializing in other practice areas, and coordinating third-party service providers such as brokers, title agents, surveyors and similar consultants. She also served as primary client contact and team leader for several manufacturing, retail and service industry clients, guiding them through the acquisition and disposition of over 100 properties, including environmentally-challenged sites. In addition, Lori assisted on numerous complex tax-credit transactions.
While at Sonkin • Koberna, Lori has practiced in all areas of real estate, including distressed properties, office, warehouse and retail leasing, as well as corporate structuring and restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial finance. Lori regularly drafts and negotiates purchase agreements, easements, options and rights of first refusal, big-box retail, office and warehouse leases, commercial loan documents, operating agreements, shareholders’ and close corporation agreements, confidentiality agreements and other commercial contracts. She has vast experience reviewing and advising clients on due diligence matters including resolution of complex title, survey and environmental issues. Lori provides support to a number of the Firm’s clients who look to Sonkin • Koberna as general corporate counsel. She also serves an integral role in Sonkin • Koberna’s new lawyer training.
Lori regularly advises landlords, manufacturers, and a number of local and regional automobile dealerships.
Background.
Practice Areas
Business and Corporate
Real Estate, Construction and Development
Commercial Restructuring
Academic Credentials
Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC, J.D. magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1996
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, B.L.S. summa cum laude, University Honors, Phi Beta Kappa, 1993
Bar Admissions
Ohio, 1997
Professional Credentials
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
American Bar Association, Section on Real Property, Probate and Trust Law
Representive Engagements.
Restructuring and merging of approx. 20 separately held entities into two parent holding companies
Negotiated credit agreement, promissory note and related security documents, and facilitated closing of $95 million senior secured credit facility
Hotel and conference center for an Ohio university foundation, including construction and ground leasing agreements and New Markets Tax Credit transaction
“Big Box” leasing for a major property owner/manager with national chain tenants such as TJX Companies (TJ Maxx and Marshall’s), Bed Bath and Beyond, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Financing, refinancing and loan work-outs for many clients
Represented buyers and sellers in numerous 1031 exchange transactions
Acquisition of approximately 158,000 square foot warehouse and office facility in Warrensville Heights, Ohio
Acquisition of 66-unit residential apartment complex in Barberton, Ohio
Purchase/Sale transactions of many automobile dealerships
Sale of 100-unit residential apartment complex in Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Negotiated key tenant lease for 73,284 square foot medical and office building in Middleburg Heights, Ohio
Represented property owners in BUSTR compliance matter
Represented property owner in connection with VAP grant award with the City of Sandusky, Ohio
Represented property owner in connection with retail ground lease in Medina, Ohio