John primarily represents lenders that originate and service loans secured by real estate, including apartments and other multifamily projects as well as commercial and industrial properties. Such transactions range from construction and bridge financing to permanent loans, and include subsequent refinances and supplemental loans. John is available to assist both before a transaction commences, reviewing term sheets and loan applications, as well as after a transaction closes, advising on servicing requests, amendments, and other workouts. John also assists clients with their general real estate needs, such as purchase and sale agreements, instruments of conveyance, title and survey review, and serving as local real estate counsel to out-of-state clients or in multistate transactions.
In particular, John works with lenders that originate and sell multifamily mortgage loans to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. John joined Cozen O'Connor in 2026 along with his colleagues from Moss & Barnett, which was one of the leading law firms nationwide in representing Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae lenders. The firm closed thousands of Freddie Macand Fannie Mae transactions across the country spanning many different deal types and structures, including market rate and targeted affordable housing (TAH) apartment projects, forward and early rate-locked loan commitments and their permanent conversions, joint venture and preferred equity deals, and ground lease mortgages. In connection with these loans, John is regularly asked to review and resolve matters involving use restrictions, tax increment financing (TIF), low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC), subordinate debt and other layered assistance, housing assistance payment (HAP) contracts, tax exemptions and payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT), public development and performance agreements, and other unique title documents such as reciprocal easements and shared use agreements.
John earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law and his B.A. in English, with distinction, from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. He lives in southwest Minneapolis with his wife and two sons, and when he is not making noise in his home recording studio, he enjoys exploring the many nearby lakes and parks with family and friends.