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Richard R. Spore, III

Member

Memphis

(901) 543-5902

rspore@bassberry.com

https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/spore-richard-r/

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In more than 30 years of practice, Richard Spore has advised hundreds of real estate investors and other capitalists on how to best reach their business objectives through three primary areas: commercial real estate and lending, business and transaction planning, and business divorce. Richard has represented private investors, publicly traded REITs and institutional lenders in commercial real estate projects across the nation. He has been at the center of numerous high profile transactions in Memphis, including landmark buildings and projects such as International Place, Crescent Centre, Clark Tower, Hard Rock Cafe relocation, Overton Square and Crosstown Concourse.

Richard brings passion and curiosity about the law, and a practical, results-oriented approach to structuring complicated deals, creating plans to solve a wide range of complex business problems, and helping clients execute on those strategies.

Real Estate – Representing clients in commercial real estate and lending transactions involving office, retail, industrial, multi-family, hotel/hospitality, timber and agricultural land; represents both landlords and tenants in commercial lease transactions, including complex build to suit leases; advises developers on a variety of development projects and public/private partnerships, including various payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) matters; represents publicly traded REITs in acquisitions and portfolio financing; represents borrowers, lenders and investors involved in distressed real estate situations.
Business and Transaction Planning – Advising investors and private company owners in a wide variety of investment partnership, joint venture and start-up situations.
Business Divorce – Advising business owners, partners or co-investors who no longer get along.

A perpetual student and teacher of the law, Richard has taught business law and business planning to undergraduate and graduate business students and to law students. He has taught dozens of classes and seminars to lawyers, business executives and commercial real estate professionals and has published award-winning articles in regional and national publications. His third book, The Guide to Business Divorce, was published by the American Bar Association in 2012. He also chaired the committees that adopted Tennessee’s current laws in the areas of limited liability companies and general partnership entities.

Richard has been actively involved in firm management having served on the firm’s executive committee and as the managing partner of the firm’s Memphis office. He currently serves as chair of the firm’s Real Estate & Debt Financing Practice Group.

He has also served on several nonprofit boards, including a two-year term as president of the board of directors of Memphis Botanic Gardens, where he helped lead the board during the MBG’s construction of a world class $6,000,000+ Children’s Garden.

Memberships

Urban Land Institute (ULI), Memphis Chapter

ULI Technical Assistance Panel — Chair (2018)

Lambda Alpha International

Memphis Botanic Gardens — Board Member and Volunteer Legal Counsel (2006-2010)

Memphis Bar Association

Tennessee Bar Association

American Bar Association

Representative Experience

Disposition of Industrial Property Portfolio for Over $100 Million

We represented Morning Calm Management in the disposition of an industrial property portfolio consisting of ten properties in Michigan. The...

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Client Type: Private Company
Pro Bono Team Helps to Redevelop Memphis Neighborhood

Representation of Neighborhood Preservation Inc. (NPI) in acquiring a number of tax sale parcels of land as part of an effort to redevelop a blighted area in Memphis

A team of pro bono lawyers in our Memphis office represented Neighborhood Preservation Inc. (NPI) in acquiring a number of...

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Client Type: Pro Bono
$96.4 Million TIF Financing for Development at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis

Represented Southern Properties, Inc. in obtaining approval for up to $96.4 million in tax increment financing (TIF)

We represented Southern Properties, Inc. in obtaining approval for up to $96.4 million in tax increment financing (TIF) funds to...

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Client Type: Private Company
$80 Million TIF Financing for Poplar Corridor Business District Association of Owners

Represented the Poplar Corridor Business District Association of Owners in obtaining approval for use of tax increment financing (TIF) funds estimated to exceed $80 million

We represented the Poplar Corridor Business District Association of Owners in obtaining approval for use of tax increment financing (TIF)...

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Client Type: Nonprofit
Pro Bono Efforts Help Fight Blight in Memphis

Pro bono representation of Memphis to help the city draft a new blight ordinance

Richard Spore and Justin Starling were recognized by Memphis, Tennessee, Mayor Jim Strickland for their pro bono work helping the...

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Client Type: Pro Bono
Dobbs Equity Partners Acquires Corky’s

Represented Dobbs Equity Partners in its acquisition of a majority interest in Corky’s.

We represented Dobbs Equity Partners in its acquisition of a majority interest in Corky's. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Corky's is...

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Client Type: Private Company
$60 Million Acquisition of Baltimore Office Building

Represented a joint-venture affiliate of a real estate investment and management firm in the $60 million purchase of an office building in Baltimore

We represented a joint-venture affiliate of a real estate investment and management firm in the $60 million purchase of an...

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Client Type: Private Company
Acquisition of Boca Raton Office Building

Represented an affiliate of Morning Calm Management in acquiring an office building in Boca Raton, Florida

We represented an affiliate of Morning Calm Management in acquiring an office building in Boca Raton, Florida. Morning Calm Management...

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Client Type: Private Company
$32 Million Purchase of the Meidinger Towers Office Building in Louisville

Represented real estate investment firm In-Rel Properties, Inc. in the $32 million purchase of the Meidinger Towers office building in Louisville, Kentucky

We represented real estate investment firm In-Rel Properties, Inc. in the $32 million purchase of the Meidinger Towers office building...

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Client Type: Private Company
$2 Billion Credit Facility Transactions for AutoZone

Closed the modification and extension of $1.6 billion multiyear and $400 million 364 day credit facility to AutoZone, Inc.

We closed the modification and extension of $1.6 billion multiyear and $400 million 364 day credit facility to AutoZone, Inc....

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Client Type: Public Company

Publications

Richard Spore Outlines Important Family Business Ownership Documentation

December 1, 2020
Richard Spore Outlines How Family Businesses Can Share Profits Fairly

July 17, 2020
Richard Spore Examines Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Nonrecourse Loans

July 8, 2020

Past Events

Sears Crosstown: From Catalogues to a Concourse – How Lawyers Can Make Things Happen

December 8, 2021 | Virtual
Memphis Bar Association
Rethinking and Reconfiguring Office Space Amid the Pandemic

November 19, 2020 | Webinar
University of Tennessee
ICSC U.S. Shopping Center Law Conference

October 25-28, 2017 | San Antonio, Texas
International Council of Shopping Centers

Media Mentions & Firm News

Law360 Highlights Recent Firm Leadership Appointments

January 30, 2023
Bass, Berry & Sims Appoints Five Attorneys to Key Leadership Roles

January 24, 2023
Mid-South Super Lawyers 2022 Lists 44 Bass, Berry & Sims Attorneys

November 29, 2022

Accolades

Chambers USA — Real Estate (2008-2022)

Best Lawyers® — Memphis Banking and Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” Memphis (2022); Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2021, 2017, 2013); Memphis Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) “Lawyer of the Year” (2019, 2015)

The Best Lawyers in America© — Banking and Finance Law; Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Project Finance Law; Real Estate Law (2006-2023)

Memphis Business Journal “Best of the Bar” — Private Firm, Medium (2016 finalist)

Mid-South Super Lawyers (2006-2022)

Bass, Berry & Sims — Memphis office, Managing Partner; Former Executive Committee Member

Education

Christian Brothers University - M.B.A., 1992
University of Virginia School of Law - J.D., 1987
Sewanee: The University of the South - B.A., 1984

summa cum laude

Admissions

Tennessee, 1987

Chambers USA

"Richard Spore is well equipped to handle mandates for investors and borrowers, often advising on sales, acquisitions and development projects. He also has a well-established understanding of PILOT agreements. 'Richard Spore is one of those guys who picks up things that are not always obvious. He is very insightful.'"

From Chambers USA 2022