LODIE BIGGS
Nashville
Summary
Legal professional with extensive experience at Baker Donelson specializing in commercial real estate and contract negotiation. Demonstrated success in risk management and client engagement, facilitating multi-million dollar transactions and strategic site selections. Skilled in developing comprehensive legal strategies and conducting market analysis to enhance organizational objectives.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner
Biggs Law Firm LLC
Memphis
12.2021 - Current
- Executed commercial real estate transactions, representing owners and lenders in single family home and mixed-use developments, addressing land use, financing, planning, and closing issues.
- Managed and reviewed business contracts and related documents, ensuring compliance and alignment with organizational objectives.
- Facilitated site selection for economic development projects, identifying and evaluating potential locations to support strategic growth.
Partner
Farris Bobango PLC
Memphis
05.2021 - 11.2021
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance client engagement and satisfaction.
- Collaborated with partners to drive firm-wide policy development and implementation.
- Represented industrial development boards in negotiations for development and transaction agreements, enhancing board visibility and influence.
- Conducted research and analysis to support site selection projects, ensuring alignment with strategic development goals.
- Guided legal teams in developing comprehensive case strategies and approaches.
Partner
Adams and Reese LLP
Memphis
02.2020 - 02.2021
- Represented steel manufacturing company in creation of a $1.2B new steel fabrication facility.
- Led strategic legal initiatives for diverse clients in commercial law.
- Advised clients on regulatory compliance and risk management strategies.
- Negotiated complex contracts to protect client interests and ensure clarity.
- Conducted site selection analysis to identify optimal locations for economic development projects.
Partner
Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.
Nashville and Memphis
10.2006 - 02.2020
- Real Estate and Development - Represented a wide variety of corporate and individual clients from various industries (manufacturing, industrial, headquarters, research and development, office, and distribution) with respect to all aspects of commercial real estate projects including: purchase agreements; due diligence matters; title and closing; leasing (by tenant and landlord); commercial litigation; land and project development; financing of all types; land use and zoning; facility expansions; cell tower leasing and acquisitions; and corporate governance issues.
- Executed numerous transactions and projects in the Real Estate and Development and Site Selection and Economic Development practices, involving multi-million dollar capital expenditures and the creation of thousands of jobs.
- Site Selection and Economic Development - Primarily focused on site selection and economic development projects for a diverse client base with respect to corporate and facility expansions and relocation projects in the Southeast U.S. for domestic and international Fortune 500/100/50 (or equivalent) corporations.
- Represented corporate development projects from initial planning to finalization of improvements and hiring processes.
- Counseled company executives and governmental officials on site selection, project planning, and economic incentive negotiations.
- Met legal needs of corporate clients across various disciplines.
- Represented governmental agencies including industrial development boards, cities, counties, and public/private economic development entities.
Partner
Wiseman Biggs Bray PLC
Memphis
02.2003 - 10.2006
- Acted as General Counsel to financial institutions, providing comprehensive legal representation in commercial loans, strategic planning for new locations, human resource functions, loan defaults and workouts, and general consulting.
- Conducted real estate transactions ranging from small to large, facilitating successful property acquisitions and sales.
- Represented local utility company in commercial and general litigation, advocating for client interests and achieving favorable outcomes.
Associate Attorney
Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.
Memphis
09.1999 - 02.2003
- Represented clients with respect to secured and unsecured lending (both lenders and borrowers); credit card regulations and merchant processing; banking rules and regulations; bond issuances; bank collections and workouts; and foreclosure actions.
- Represented national bank in lending matters including loan closings and regulatory issues.
- Facilitated real estate transactions of various sizes, ensuring compliance and client satisfaction.
- Organized trial documents and evidence, enhancing preparation for court proceedings.
- Advised clients on wealth planning and probate matters, guiding them through legal processes.
Education
Juris Doctor -
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia05-1999
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee05-1994
Skills
- Property management
- Contract negotiation
- Risk management
- Market analysis
- Commercial real estate
- Client engagement
- Property management
Professional Honors Affiliations
- Best Lawyers in America in Real Estate Law and in Economic Development Law
- Mid-South Super Lawyers in Real Estate
- Mid-South Rising Star
- Member – Tennessee Economic Development Council
- Member – American, Tennessee, Memphis and Nashville Bar Associations
- Title agent for multiple title companies
Summary Of Selected Transactions
- Represented 6TH largest company in South Korea in its purchase of 310 acres in Montgomery County, Tennessee for an industrial park.
- Represented 3rd largest company in Japan in its purchase of 50 acres in Shelby County, Tennessee for its $50M clean manufacturing facility.
- Represented large British risk management and insurance company in moving its North American Headquarters facility in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Represented 4th largest brewing and co-packing company in the World in its acquisition of a 1.2 Million square foot facility in Memphis, Tennessee.
- General Counsel to local industrial development board in real estate development, environmental, land use, economic incentives, and general matters.
- Represented private equity firm in the financing of a large downtown hotel and restaurant purchase and rehab project.
- Represented municipal owner of approximately 900 acres South of downtown Memphis in its development of a ground up facility for a leading Swedish appliance manufacturer.
- Lead Counsel for client with respect to site selection and development incentive negotiations in 5 States for the location of steel pipe fabrication facilities.
Additional Professional Activities
- General Counsel/Secretary and Member of Executive Committee, Greater Memphis Chamber, 01/01/13, 12/01/20
- First Chairman, Baker Donelson Economic Development Industry Service Team
Bar Membership
Tennessee, 09/01/99
Timeline
Owner
Biggs Law Firm LLC
12.2021 - Current
Partner
Farris Bobango PLC
05.2021 - 11.2021
Partner
Adams and Reese LLP
02.2020 - 02.2021
Partner
Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.
10.2006 - 02.2020
Partner
Wiseman Biggs Bray PLC
02.2003 - 10.2006
Associate Attorney
Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.
09.1999 - 02.2003
Juris Doctor -
University of Virginia
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
University of Memphis