Colleen Goodell Knecht
Colleen Goodell Knecht practices in the areas of real estate transactions, real estate finance and corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Knecht’s real estate work includes the representation of clients in the acquisition, development and disposition of commercial real estate, including mixed-use residential and commercial high-rise condominium developments. Her experience in mergers and acquisitions includes the representation of sellers and buyers of both public and private companies and her corporate experience includes representation of both for-profit and non-profit entities.
Ms. Knecht is also knowledgeable in the areas of negotiation, drafting and implementation of commercial leases as well as real estate and asset-based lending transactions. Ms. Knecht’s lending practice includes representation of borrowers, banks, credit unions, life companies and private lenders in all phases of loan and loan modification transactions. She additionally represents lenders and borrowers in restructuring financial transactions.
Prior to forming Gibson Knecht PC, Ms. Knecht was a founding shareholder at Zwillinger Greek Knecht & Gibson PC, where she worked from 2004 to 2018.
Professional Recognition and Activities
Southwest Super Lawyers®, Real Estate (2015-Present)
The Best Lawyers in America© (2018-Present)
Member, State Bar of Arizona
Admissions
Arizona, 2000
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2012
Education and Honors
James E. Rogers College of Law – University of Arizona, J.D., 2000
Eller Graduate School of Management – University of Arizona, M.B.A., 2000
University of Arizona, B.A., 1996
Magna Cum Laude, Classics
Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Kappa Phi
Residential, Commercial and Industrial Real Estate Projects
- Represented developers and investor groups in the financing, acquisition, development (including without limitation construction), operation and disposition of residential, commercial and industrial real estate projects, including without limitation multifamily projects, commercial office buildings, self-storage facilities, retail centers and industrial parks.
- Engaged as counsel to developers and investor groups in vacant land acquisition, assemblage and disposition in Pima, Pinal and Maricopa Counties.
Lending Transactions
- Engaged as counsel to banks, credit unions and life companies in all phases of loan and loan modification transactions from application to closing, including loan document drafting, negotiation and implementation and due diligence review relating to collateral.
- Represented borrowers in the negotiation and documentation of real estate secured loan transactions and mezzanine finance transactions, including issuance of lender-required opinion letters.
- Engaged as counsel to purchasers and sellers in loan sale transactions.
Leasing
- Represented landlords and tenants of industrial, commercial office, medical office and retail properties, providing regular assistance in lease form preparation and drafting and negotiating leases and lease amendments, including:
- single-tenant and multiple-tenant lease forms
- NNN leases, gross leases, modified gross leases and percentage rent leases
- leases for condominium office premises, including conformance of lease documents with office condominium requirements
- build-to-suit leases
- complex tenant work letters in which construction is performed by landlord and tenant
- ground leases
- Assisted landlord clients with tenant demand letters and pre-litigation dispute resolution.
- Represented landlords, tenants and lenders in connection with lease-related easement matters, use restrictions and CCRs, title insurance matters, and the negotiation of tenant estoppels and subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements.
Corporate Counsel and Joint Venture Transactions
- Structured and drafted joint venture transactions.
- Offered corporate/LLC/partnership governance counsel to businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
Condominium Projects (Residential, Office and Mixed-Use)
- Represented developers in all aspects of the development of mixed use, midrise residential and retail condominium developments as well as the subsequent sale of residential and retail units therein.
- Negotiated unit purchase agreements and parking/storage license agreements on behalf of commercial unit purchasers.
