Susan Fowler McNally

Lawyer Overview

Susan Fowler McNally is a partner in Gilchrist & Rutter. Her practice focuses on commercial real estate and business transactions, particularly in acquisition and disposition, development, financing and leasing of commercial buildings, including negotiation and preparation of purchase and sale agreements; ground leases and easements; office and retail leases; consulting and management agreements; TV and film licensing for property access; heliport licensing; CC&Rs; tieback agreements; architectural and engineering agreements; construction contracts; and telecommunications access and service agreements.

Ms. McNally is the author of "Letters of Credit in Lease Transactions, Part I: Advantages to Landlord and Landlord's Lender", Probate & Property, July/August 2002; "Letters of Credit in Lease Transactions, Part II: Drafting Tips", Probate & Property, November/December 2002 and "Letters of Intent: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", Lease Negotiation Handbook (2003).

In addition to being quoted in many articles on real estate issues in the Wall Street Journal, American Bar Association Journal, Commercial Lease Law Insider, Real Estate Southern California and Lawyer's Weekly U.S.A., Ms. McNally's articles on various aspects of commercial leases, transactions and letters of credit have been widely published in professional journals and business publications. She is a sought-after speaker on her areas of expertise for professional groups, conferences and national conventions.

Ms. McNally's clients have included CommonWealth Partners; LDW Resort & Hotel Development, LLC; Maguire Properties; The Archon Group, L.P.; Thomas Properties Group; and the United California Realty Corp.

Ms. McNally earned her J.D. degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, where she participated in the UCLA Moot Court Honors Program. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Urban Planning/Sociology from the University of the Pacific, Raymond-Callison College, Stockton, California.

Representative Experience:

Negotiated and documented the construction agreements for CAA's headquarters building in Century City, California. The Gensler-designed complex replaces the former ABC Center.

Negotiated, documented (for landlords) and reviewed (for tenants) numerous space leases and lease amendments in high-rise office projects, as well as in suburban office and retail projects, in California, Texas, Arizona, Wisconsin and Indiana, including leases with Fortune 500 companies, national law firms, national healthcare providers, restaurants and multi-state retail chains.

Negotiated and documented development and construction agreements, including architectural and engineering agreements, consultant contracts, project management and contractor agreements with respect to high-rise and low-rise mixed-use projects, resort hotels and time shares.

Negotiated financing for real estate projects, including revolving credit-based loans, construction loans and rate swap agreements.

Negotiated and prepared purchase and sale agreements, and documented tax-deferred, like-kind exchanges.

Negotiated and documented owner participation agreement with the Community Development Commission with respect to a large office, hotel and retail complex in Pasadena, California.

Negotiated and documented strategic alliance, joint venture, license and employment agreements for emerging growth company.

Areas of Practice
Real Estate Law
Business & Commercial Law

Representative Clients
CommonWealth Partners
LDW Resort & Hotel Development, LLC
Maguire Properties
The Archon Group, L.P.
Thomas Development Partners
United California Realty Corporation

West Practice Categories
Real Estate Law, Business & Commercial Law