James Yoakum
James has extensive experience in commercial real estate law and real estate finance and represents clients in complex commercial mortgage financings, development projects, acquisitions, dispositions and leasing transactions. James takes an especially keen interest in helping up-and-coming real estate investors smoothly add to the sophistication and complexity of their operations via strategic capital raising, partnerships and undertaking ever more complex transactions with confidence. James also regularly works with clients in the craft beverage industry on matters involving licensing, compliance, and business operations where he leverages his hands-on understanding of the ever-changing beer, wine & spirits landscape. Prior to becoming an attorney, James worked as a real estate sales and leasing agent in Philadelphia and then founded and ran a craft distillery based in Camden, New Jersey. James brings his hard-won practical business experience and deep knowledge of the real estate and beverage alcohol industries to bear on every transaction in which he is involved.
Representative Matters
- Ongoing representation of an investment fund’s purchases, sales and management of triple-net (NNN) leased properties with a particular focus on properties leased to tenants in the veterinary and specialty healthcare industries. Assisted this particular client with 24 purchase or sale transactions nationwide in 2022.
- Negotiations for new leases, lease modifications and lease renewals for a number of office, retail and industrial tenants including a major building-supply company, a high-end clothing company, a coffee roaster and various Center City and suburban Philadelphia office tenants including nonprofits, law firms and private-equity-backed operating companies.
- Broad representation of real estate investors and developers in the multifamily, office and industrial sectors, including working closely with their leasing brokers, lenders and partners to streamline and apply best-practices to growing investment and development platforms.
- Construction contract negotiations for developers of projects including high-end residential construction, charter schools, urban multifamily projects and healthcare projects, including navigating compliance for projects receiving RACP and other types of government funding.
- Representation of a major healthcare nonprofit in connection with construction projects, acquisitions and dispositions and leasing needs throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
- Representation of property owners in the negotiation and sale of cell tower sites and easements.
- Representation of a New York-based lending group on complex mezzanine debt and preferred equity investments secured by retail development projects in Philadelphia.
- Support the real estate needs of multiple private-equity backed businesses who have closed on an aggregate of over 100 acquisitions since 2021.
- Representation of clients seeking to acquire or transfer liquor licenses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
- Consultation with investors and operators in the craft beer, wine and spirits industries on structuring purchases, sales and financing transactions for those businesses.
- Representation of clients on beverage alcohol regulatory and licensing issues at the local, state and federal levels.
- General representation and counsel to startups in the software and new-media industries.
Professional Associations
- Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Member, Wharton Club of Philadelphia
Recognition & Accomplishments
- “Lawyers on The Fast Track,” The Legal Intelligencer (2023)
- Claude M. Ballard Award for Real Estate Excellence
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America (2026-2027)
Community Activities
Pro-bono representation of community gardens in Philadelphia seeking to acquire clear title to properties through the Philadelphia Land Bank.