Overview
Michael Woodruff skillfully guides clients through major real estate deals, keeping business interests and strategic priorities front and center while structuring transactions and navigating land use issues and development approvals. He manages real estate transactions for a broad spectrum of clients, ranging from large real estate investment funds to investors and companies buying and selling property for the operation of their businesses.
Michael is the deputy leader of the firm's real estate group.
Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions
Michael has deep experience with all aspects of complex real estate acquisitions and dispositions, including financing, like-kind exchanges and environmental issues. He also assists clients in creating and administrating sophisticated commercial condominium regimes.
Lease Transactions
Michael handles a wide variety of real estate leasing matters, including office, industrial, medical and ground lease transactions. He is particularly skilled in drafting and negotiating large, multifaceted build-to-suit lease transactions with complicated construction and approval issues and tight construction timelines and budgets. Michael also works on ancillary lease-related matters, including leasehold financing, subordination transactions and lien waiver issues.
Health Care and Educational Real Estate
Michael regularly assists health care and educational institutions with their real estate needs, including the acquisition, development and financing of classroom space, dormitories and health care facilities. These transactions often involve unique financing structures, such as public or private bond offerings.
Representative Experience
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
- Represented landlord in the negotiation of a 750,000 square foot warehouse lease
- Represented purchaser in connection with the purchase and financing of a portfolio of 27 office and light industrial properties
- Represented developer in connection with the acquisition and assemblage of more than 150 acres of land and the simultaneous subdivision and sale of a portion of the property to be developed as a nationwide distribution facility
- Represented purchaser in the acquisition, redevelopment and leasing of 15 building corporate campus, including imposition and administration of a commercial condominium regime
- Represented investor in negotiation and implementation of a joint venture agreement relating to the acquisition and financing of a retail center
- Represented developer in connection with the ground lease and construction of 350 unit residential project on the campus of a public university
- Represent public charter school operator in connection with the acquisition, financing and leasing of numerous properties for use as public charter schools
Personal Interests
Michael and his wife, Georgia, a writer and an accomplished equestrian, live in scenic Tewksbury, New Jersey, with their two daughters. Michael serves as treasurer for the Tewksbury Education Foundation, a nonprofit foundation working to enhance educational experiences and opportunities for students in the community. Michael also is a retired t-ball and travel soccer coach.
Related Legal Services
Related Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
New York
Education
University of Maryland School of Law
J.D. Maryland Law Review (1999)
Ursinus College
B.S. (1996)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
- Conveyance of Commercial Real Estate
Co-author, Commercial Real Estate Transactions in New Jersey, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2019 - Introduction to Commercial Leasing
Speaker, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, April 26, 2017 - From the Ground UP: The Development of a Commercial Real Estate Project
Speaker, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, November 10, 2016
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association — Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- National Association of Industrial and Office Properties
Civic Activities
- Tewksbury First Aid & Rescue Squad — 2020-present; President, 2021-present; Emergency Medical Technician, 2022-present; Deputy Chief, 2024-present
- Tewksbury Education Foundation — Treasurer, 2018-20; Trustee, 2015-20
- Tewksbury Athletic Association — Coach (Executive Committee, 2009-17)
Firm Leadership
- Faegre Drinker — Deputy Leader, Real Estate Group, 2024-present
- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Vice Chair, Real Estate Group, 2015-20; Audit Committee, 2013-20; Hiring Committee, 2011-16; Associates Committee, 2003-07
Honors
- Chambers USA — New Jersey, Real Estate 2019-24
This award is conferred by Chambers & Partners. A description of the methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Best Lawyers®— Real Estate Law, 2016-25
This award is conferred by Best Lawyers. A description of the methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.