Mark Sheets joined Bass, Berry & Sims as an associate in 1990, became a Member of the firm in 1997 and is the chair of the Commercial Transactions and Real Estate Practice Area. Originally from Kentucky, Mark graduated with honors from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky in 1987. Mark later attended the University of Kentucky School of Law, where he graduated with honors in 1990. While at UK, Mark served as an editor of the University of Kentucky Law Journal.
In 2004, Mark was named as one of Nashville's Heavy Hitters in Commercial Real Estate by the Nashville Business Journal. He has also been named one of Tennessee's leading real estate lawyers by Chambers USA and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America®.
Mark's practice is focused primarily in the areas of commercial real estate, commercial lending and general commercial law. The majority of Mark's time is concentrated on real estate related transactions, with specific emphasis on real estate acquisition and development and tax and accounting driven lease transactions.
Representative matters in which Mark has been involved include the following:
- Acquisition and Development. Mark represents a number of clients in connection with the acquisition and development of commercial property. Mark's experience includes development, construction, acquisition, leasing and disposition of new and existing shopping centers, office buildings, warehouses, lifestyle centers and other commercial properties.
- Leasing. Mark has represented landlords and tenants, both public and private, in the negotiation of commercial leases for a wide variety of uses. Mark is involved on an ongoing basis with the leasing needs for particular clients in their nationwide growth and development in such areas as surgery centers, medical office buildings, drug stores, warehouse and distribution centers, restaurants, banks, big box retail and other shopping centers.
- Sale - Leasebacks. Mark has represented a number of restaurant, healthcare and other companies in several series of sale-leaseback transactions, involving properties across the country.
- Synthetic Leases. Mark has been involved in the negotiation and documentation of synthetic lease financings to a publicly held owner and operator of retirement/assisted living communities, involving more than $250 million and including more than 20 different facilities located in more than eight different states. Mark has been involved with a number of synthetic lease transactions for other clients in other industries as well.
- Tax-Free Exchanges. Mark has represented a number of clients in facilitating tax-free exchanges in connection with the purchase and sale of real property.
- Commercial Financing. Mark has represented both borrowers and lenders in connection with conduit financings, securitizations, syndicated credit facilities, mortgage warehouse loans, loans having warrants, equity participations or other equity components, construction loans and other financings.
- Residential/Golf Course Development. Mark has represented several developers in connection with the purchase, development and financing of various upscale subdivision and condominium developments.
Aside from the practice of law, Mark enjoys travel and sports, particularly basketball and golf. Having played intercollegiate basketball in college, Mark still plays in a number of competitive independent basketball leagues. Mark also enjoys spending time with his wife, Tammy, his two daughters, Sarah Beth and Allie.
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