Francque, James A.

Current Employment Position(s)

Partner

Lawyer Overview

James Francque represents clients in real estate mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and cross-border investments; commercial and industrial leases; and wind energy facility acquisitions and developments. He also negotiates shopping mall media and advertising agreements and large portfolio transactions and counsels clients in relation to distressed assets.

Representative experience includes numerous transactions for CalEast Global Logistics, including the $3.4 billion buyout of CenterPoint Properties Trust, acquisition of an $800 million 90-property air cargo facility portfolio located at 26 airports in the U.S. and Canada and joint venture with Aeroterm, and acquisition of an industrial portfolio and office building in Mexico; Otter Tail Corporation's acquisition and development of three wind energy facilities in North Dakota; and the $515 million sale of the Shops at North Bridge, a six-block mixed-use complex along North Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

Other clients with which James has worked on substantial matters include The Blackstone Group, KeyCorp, and Simon Property Group.

James's pro bono activities include performing legal services for Abilities Plus, an organization devoted to promoting opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families, and Family Focus, an organization that promotes the well being of children by supporting and strengthening their families.

James frequently speaks on topics related to real estate issues.

Areas of Practice

• Real Estate
• Energy
• Corporate Real Estate Services
• Real Estate Capital Markets
• Real Estate Funds
• Energy Renewables and Sustainable Development
• Real Estate & Property Companies
• Real Estate Energy Development

Representative Cases

• American Home Mortgage Servicing negotiates Texas headquarters lease , (2009)
• Blackstone sells downtown and suburban Chicago assets for $2.8 billion
• CalEast acquires $800 million, 90-property air cargo facility portfolio , (2009)
• CalEast acquires CenterPoint Properties Trust for $3.4 billion , (2009)
• CalEast forms multiple joint ventures
• CalEast sells 200-property warehouse/distribution portfolio for $1.4 billion
• CalPERS and LaSalle acquire an industrial portfolio and an office building , (2009)
• Daimler negotiates complex shared facility lease agreements in connection with integrated supply facility
• DP Partners seeks advice in connection with industrial distribution leases, land assembly, and negotiation of governmental incentives , (2009)
• JPMorgan Chase establishes office lease at 245 Park Avenue, New York , (2009)
• JPMorgan Chase establishes office lease at 277 Park Avenue, New York , (2009)
• KeyCorp corporate real estate services
• LaSalle forms joint venture to own and manage luxury hotels and resorts in the U.S.
• Mecox negotiates Chicago showroom lease
• Morgan Stanley acquires 49% interest in Crescent Resources, a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation
• Morgan Stanley and Simon Property Group form joint venture to develop a portfolio of China shopping malls
• Morgan Stanley participates in joint venture for the development of the North Bridge mixed-use district in Chicago
• North Bridge Retail sells Shops at North Bridge in Chicago , (2009)
• Otter Tail acquires Ashtabula Wind Energy Center , (2009)
• Otter Tail acquires Langdon Wind Energy Center , (2009)
• Otter Tail agrees to build and own Luverne Wind Farm , (2009)
• PG&E proposes construction of 1,300 MW power plant in Grundy County, Illinois
• Simon Property Group forms joint venture to provide digital media and advertising in shopping malls

West Practice Categories

Banking & Finance Law, Commercial Leasing, Commercial Real Estate, Condemnation, Condominiums & Cooperatives, Conveyancing, Eminent Domain, Land Use & Zoning, Landlord/Tenant, Mortgages & Foreclosures, Real Estate Law, Residential Real Estate, Title Insurance

Bar Admissions

• Illinois

Education

• Loyola Univ- Chicago
• Northern Illinois University

Address

77 West Wacker
Chicago, IL 60601-1692

Phones

1.312.269.1557 (Business Phone)

Faxes

1.312.782.8585 (Business Fax)

Emails

Contact Us (Business Email)

Websites

http://www.jonesday.com