Each week, Midwest Real Estate News highlights the career of a new member of its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. This week, we look at the success of Michael Green, a partner with Madison, Wisconsin’s Michael Best & Friedrich LLP. Green is also project development and finance and public-private partnerships lead with the firm.
Years in the business: 21
Making an impact: An experienced transactional attorney who serves as outside general counsel to many real estate investment and corporate clients, Michael Green has made a significant impact on the state of Wisconsin during his career of more than two decades.
An example? Green was part of the Michael Best & Friedrich team hired by Foxconn Technology Group to acquire and begin site preparation and construction work for the largest manufacturing campus in the United States, a 3,000-acre industrial park in Southeast Wisconsin.
Green led the real estate team that negotiated the Development Agreement with the county, village and economic development partners at the local level and negotiated the deal with local leaders and legal counsel. He also played an important role in the closing on the purchase of land for the parcels involved.
Other big deals: Green also led the team that represented a national water park resort chain development and financing of a $550 million, 350-acre complex in Round, Texas. Green represented a designer and manufacturer of household products sold by authorized distributors in the $28 million purchase and development of its new headquarters facility. This project involved coordination with the cities of Fitchburg and Middletown, Wisconsin, regarding the property purchases, TIF request, counsel on environmental matters, structuring the property leasing and assistance with the construction agreement.
A part of something big: “The real estate industry is full of intelligent and visionary people who truly enjoy what they do, and life in general,” Green said. “I have had the good fortune to work on projects that will have an impact on communities and states, not just to suit their current needs, but to help them provide assets for generations to come.”
The steps to success: Green is a firm believer in the power of unity.
“The most critical component in a successful real estate transaction is unifying all parties with one common vision, which means there must be effective leadership,” Green said. “I have tried to learn from the many successful people with whom I have worked over the course of my life and career. I have had the good fortune to see how effective leaders define a vision or goal, set a plan and provide the discipline to execute effectively on the plan and adjust as necessary.”
Out-of-office hours: When not working with his clients, Green prefers spending time with his family and friends. His best times? He points to traveling with his wife, golfing with his three sons and experiencing college football games in as many venues as possible.
