- Profile
With more than 30 years in private practice, Jim has guided clients through complicated business and real estate transactions, including the purchase, sale, financing, development and leasing of raw land, commercial properties, shopping centers, and office and industrial projects. Jim has represented large corporations as well as national, regional and local retail merchants in connection with their leasing transactions in Arizona and throughout the United States.
Jim’s experience is extensive and includes the negotiation of build-to-suit and in reverse build-to-suit ground leases, pad leases and shop leases as well as the necessary documentation for new shopping center construction with development and construction agreements, common area maintenance agreements and reciprocal easement and exclusive use agreements. Jim has also been entrusted by a number of notable restaurateurs in the Phoenix area with their leasing and real estate activities.
In addition to Jim’s retail leasing activities, he has extensive experience in office leasing and continues to advise a Fortune 500 company with all of its leasing activities across North America, including signature locations in Manhattan, Chicago, San Francisco and Toronto.
Earlier in Jim’s career, he represented clients in all aspects of legal work associated with land assemblages for master-planned residential projects, including drafting multi-party development, joint venture and cost sharing agreements, as well as the formation of homeowner associations and the preparation of their governing documents.
Jim’s practice also includes assisting small businesses with corporate matters including entity formation and drafting organizational documents regarding the financing ultimate sale of businesses, buy sell agreements, stock purchase agreements and contribution agreements.
More about Jim…
Jim Rees received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law where he served as President of the Student Bar Association. Jim completed his undergraduate studies at Texas Christian University where he received the Dean’s Scholarship.
Prior to commencing his legal practice, Jim served as the Director of Government Affairs for the Arizona Multihousing Association.
Jim is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and the International Council of Shopping Centers and is a longtime board member of the Men’s Arts Council of the Phoenix Art Museum, serving as president from 2013-2014.
Jim, his wife Julie and their twin sons reside in the historic district of central Phoenix where he has served as a board member of the Encanto Palmcroft Historic Preservation Association. The Rees Family also regularly attend All Saints Episcopal Church. Jim’s volunteer service also includes two terms as a commissioner on the City of Phoenix Commission on Housing and Neighborhoods.
Away from the office, Jim mostly enjoys spending time with his family by playing and coaching sports, attending cultural events and traveling.
