John-Paul is a partner focusing on commercial real estate and business transactions. He routinely drafts and interprets contracts, from leases to construction contracts, from easements to purchase and sale agreements. John-Paul also helps with all phases of a company’s life, from set up with the State to partner buy-outs and dissolution, from employment and noncompete agreements to intellectual property license agreements. He also handles disputes, litigation, and arbitration of issues in these areas.
- Prepared loan documents and closed loan for coffee and jazz house; loan was obtained from a community development lender.
- Prepared template subcontractor agreement for IT services company
- Prepared master services agreement and service level agreement for IT services company
- Helped ad agency obtain take-down from the web by former employee of the misappropriated works and trade secrets
- Drafted amendments to leases with Home Goods and TJ Maxx on behalf of landlord
- Drafted lot purchase agreement for national home builder for 86 lots
- Represented neuropsychology practice in office lease renewal
- Advised multi-state property management company regarding mitigation of losses at 2 properties arising from insolvency of general contractor. Included negotiation and preparation of settlement and lien waiver documents with 15 subcontractors or suppliers with claims exceeding $400,000
- Negotiated contract with fire safety company for client that is 1 of the 10 largest multifamily property managers in the U.S.
- Advised IT services company in dispute with bio-technology company, including enforcement of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements
- Represented ad agency in negotiations with departing shareholders
- Advised Spanish diesel engine dealer on avenues of recovery related to engine damaged in transit by ship from Durban, South Africa to Karlstad, Sweden
- Advised marketing firm in a dispute with large, multinational research institute
- Translated (into Spanish) for association of realtors a template residential rental agreement, pet addendum, offer to purchase and contract, offer to purchase and contract (vacant land), and exclusive right to sell listing agreement
- Represented local mortgage broker in joining a national mortgage brokerage firm
- Represented steel erection company in the purchase of a fabrication warehouse, using an SBA loan, from a seller in bankruptcy
- Prepared template employment contract for IT services company
- Negotiated settlement between multistate property management and investment company and pool construction company
- Drafted template construction contract for multistate property management and investment company, including preparation of written policies for contract requests, change orders, and progress and final payments
The outcome of a particular matter cannot be based upon a lawyer’s or law firm’s past results.
“Top 8 Most Problematic Parts of Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreements”
National Business Institute, Dec. 2017
“Construction Liens in North Carolina”
N.C. Advocates for Justice, Nov. 2017
“Why Contracts are Important; What to do If You Are not Getting Paid”
Business Management Program, Hispanic Contractors Assn. of the Carolinas, Oct. 2016
“What Can Go Wrong on a Construction Project?”
Hispanic Contractors Association of the Carolinas, Nov. 2015
“Retail, Office, and Restaurant Leases: Key Provisions and Warranties”
National Business Institute, Feb. 2015, Sept. 2014
“Recent Revisions to the North Carolina Lien Law”
Professional Remodelers Council, Home Builders Ass’n of Durham, Orange, Chatham Counties, April 2013
“Are We There Yet? – eRecording in North Carolina in 2012”
Fall Gathering, Investors Title Insurance Company, Oct. 2012
“Overview of the Litigation Process”
Legal Issues for Professional Engineers, HalfMoon Seminars, Nov. 2011
“Setting up a Company and Critical Subcontract Terms”
Professional Remodelers Council, Home Builders Ass’n of Durham, Orange, Chatham Counties, Oct. 2011
“The Roles of the Broker, Buyer, and Seller in a Commercial Real Estate Transaction”
Broker Post License 3 Class, Durham Technical Community College, 2007
Education
Davidson College, B.A., 1994
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., 1998
Bar Affiliations
North Carolina Bar Association
Wake County Bar Association
Admitted to Practice
All North Carolina state courts
U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Languages
Spanish and English
Awards/Honors
Named Entrepreneur of the Year by Triangle Business Leader (2008)
Editor-in-Chief, North Carolina Journal of International Law & Commercial Regulation (1997-98)
Community Involvement
American Marketing Association, Triangle Chapter – General Counsel
Sterling Montessori Parent Faculty Association – Past Vice President; Past Treasurer
Home Builders Association-Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties – Remodelers Council
Hispanic Contractors Association of the Carolinas – member
Business Network International, Durham chapter (RD27) – past Vice President, past member of Membership Committee
Church of Reconciliation (PCUSA), Chapel Hill, N.C. – member, past Youth Group Leader
Lakehurst Pointe Homeowners’ Association – past Vice President
One Passion: 1980’s hair metal music
A Favorite Quote: “You get what you inspect, not what you expect.”