Less than a month after the launch of its Data Centers and Digital Infrastructure Practice, top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP has expanded the national practice with partner Bruce "Eddie" Lowry in Chicago. He follows the arrival of James Grice, chair of the Data Centers and Digital Infrastructure Practice, and partner Michael McKinley.
Eric Rapkin, chair of the Real Estate Practice Group said: "Eddie's arrival signals our commitment to addressing our clients' needs in the surging area of data center development. We are growing our Data Centers and Digital Infrastructure Practice both in size and capabilities nationally with exceptionally knowledgeable and experienced lawyers like Eddie who understand the technical, regulatory, and operational challenges in this unique asset class. "
Lowry focuses his practice on real estate law, counseling clients on the full spectrum of their corporate real estate needs across an array of industries and asset classes, including investment, acquisition, development, operations and divestiture of properties used for data centers, logistics and warehousing, renewable energy, industrial, manufacturing, intermodal and rail served properties, offices, multifamily, retail and shopping centers, restaurants and hospitality, and entertainment venues.
An integral part of the Data Centers and Digital Infrastructure Practice, Lowry advises clients in the acquisition, divestiture, planning, building, and operation of data centers in the United States. He leads clients through real estate-related issues, including financing, tax incentives, permitting, land use, environmental, energy and infrastructure procurement strategies and agreements, leasing, co-location, and licensing agreements.
As the retail sector has grown to rely on e-commerce, Lowry's counsel on investing in logistics and warehousing properties has become a substantial part of his practice. He advises clients on issues related to logistics and warehouse properties including permitting, land use, environmental concerns, energy and infrastructure procurement and strategies, financing, acquisition, operations, leasing and divestiture of these properties. For clients in this sector, his experience in representing railroads provides clients an inside track on his advice related rail agreements, land use control and acquisition of real property for rail served properties, and real property interests for rail service, intermodal infrastructure and agreements
Lowry also advises clients in investment, financing, and development of properties and interests related to energy production with an emphasis on the increasing demand for sustainable energy sources. He has represented traditional fossil fuel producers including oil, gas and coal companies, but his practice emphasizes representing renewable energy companies, including all facets of development of renewable energy projects, including property acquisition and assemblage, land use, transactional, financing, permitting, and regulatory matters.
Lowry joins one of the largest legal real estate teams in the United States with nearly 150 lawyers and development professionals serving owners, developers, and investors throughout all 50 states. The Data Centers and Digital Infrastructure Practice, including long-standing Akerman lawyers, is experienced in the many facets – technological, operational, and legal – of financing, planning, building, and operating data centers; the real estate-related issues, including permitting, environmental, leasing, co-location, and licensing agreements; and the regulatory, tax, and power purchase and power procurement strategies and agreements of this unique asset class.
About Akerman
Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized among the most forward-thinking firms in the industry by Financial Times. Its more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and help drive innovation and growth.
Akerman’s Real Estate Practice Group is consistently distinguished as one of the leading teams of real estate lawyers and development professionals in the United States. Its longstanding record of success on behalf of its clients has been acknowledged by U.S. News – Best Lawyers, Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and Law360, among others. The group is known for its “business acumen and prompt attention to matters” (The Legal 500) and its “deep bench of attorneys experienced in guiding clients through all aspects of real estate law.” (Chambers USA).