Am Law 100 firm Polsinelli has expanded its real estate development capabilities with the addition of Richard W. Wood as shareholder in the firm’s national Real Estate & Financial Services Department.
Wood, who is based in the firm’s Kansas City office, brings more than 20 years of experience counseling clients on real estate development, land use and municipal law, including economic development incentives and land use approvals. Wood assists clients from the project structuring phases through the closing of permanent financing.
“As we continue to strategically expand our real estate capabilities, Rich’s background in real estate development in the state of Missouri coupled with his finance expertise make him a nice fit on our real estate team in Kansas City,” said Polsinelli Real Estate & Financial Services Department Chair Kraig Kohring. “We’re pleased to welcome Rich and look forward to applying his deep experience in economic development, tax financing and incentives to benefit our clients.”
With his proficiency in the representation of municipalities, Wood is well-versed in tax increment financing (TIF), transportation development districts (TDD), and community improvement districts (CID). Wood further strengthens Polsinelli’s Real Estate Development Practice Group with his valuable knowledge in all aspects of real estate deals, as well as Chapter 100 industrial revenue bonds, Chapter 353 tax abatement, planning and zoning approvals, and development agreement negotiations.
“I look forward to this new chapter in my career with Polsinelli and am excited about the opportunities the firm’s national platform could bring,” Wood said. “Polsinelli has a strong local presence in its real estate capabilities and I am eager to collaborate with the team and continue to grow our practice not only locally, but regionally and nationally, too.”
Wood is a member of many professional organizations, including the Missouri Bar Association, Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association, Missouri Economic Development Finance Association, Lex Mundi World Ready network, Council of Development Finance Agencies and the United States Law Firm Group (USLFG). He serves on the Board of Directors as Finance Council Chair for Cornerstones of Care, a nonprofit that offers behavioral health care, family support, foster care and adoption services in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas.
Wood is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law, and also received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Wood’s addition to the real estate team comes during a growth period for the firm; last month, Polsinelli announced its newest Real Estate & Financial Services Department practice, the Opportunity Zones Practice Group. The firm’s new practice works with clients to structure investments compliant with the law in Opportunity Zones across the country.
Source: www.polsinelli.com
