Robinson+Cole Represents WinnDevelopment in $85 Million Dollar Affordable Housing Project

On July 10, 2023, Robinson+Cole client, WinnDevelopment, broke ground on an $85 million project to transform a nationally recognized historic structure, the old Landers, Frary and Clark manufacturing complex in New Britain, CT, into a 154-unit apartment community for affordable housing and workforce households. 

A cross-disciplinary team of R+C lawyers and professionals helped Winn navigate the acquisition, tax credit syndication, debt financing and environmental issues that accompany the redevelopment of a historic factory building. The team included Michele Maresca as lead attorney with support from Deirdre Robinson, Emilee Mooney Scott, Bomopregha Julius, Austin Provost, Madeleine Laffitte, Christopher Schaut and Vee Kaur.

When Deirdre joined R+C in 2021, she brought with her, her long-time client, WinnCompanies, an award-winning national developer and manager of affordable, mixed-income and market rate apartment communities with a strong history of leveraging Federal and State tax credits to enable redevelopment of otherwise challenged properties. 

This adaptive reuse project will convert four buildings into 79 one-bedroom, 59 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom apartments geared toward young professionals, middle-income households and fixed-income seniors. The historic exterior of the brick buildings will be preserved, while the interior space is adapted into apartments for households earning 30, 50, 60 and 80 percent of Area Median Income

Financing for this project includes numerous sources of debt and equity, including federal LIHTC equity and, with the help of Eversource, State historic tax credit equity. Bank of America provided taxable construction financing and CHFA provided a long-term tax-exempt bond loan. Other sources of debt came from the Connecticut Department of Housing, HUD, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the City of New Britain.

Austin Provost Featured in New York Real Estate Journal’s “2023 Ones to Watch Rising Stars Spotlight"

Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Austin G. Provost was selected for inclusion in the New York Real Estate Journal’s (NYREJ) “2023 Ones to Watch Rising Stars Spotlight" published on May 16, 2023. The Spotlight features real estate professionals that have made valuable contributions to their firm during the last 12 months. In the Q&A feature, Austin describes recent transactions that he is proud of. The profile also includes a quote from Real Estate + Development Group chair Matthew J. Lawlor as to what makes Austin a “rising star.” Read the spotlight.

Austin Provost Shares His Career Pathway in Plainville High School Career Center Video

Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Austin G. Provost was interviewed about his pathway to becoming a lawyer as part of a series of 16 alumni videos for Plainville High School’s Career Center. In the video, Austin describes what made him want to become a lawyer, why he chose to pursue a real estate transactions practice, suggests what courses and skills students should focus on if interested in pursuing a legal career, and the things he loves most about his legal career. The Career Center offers assistance to Plainville High School students preparing for jobs/job shadows/careers during, and after, high school. View the video.

Capital Markets + Securities Team Represents GrowGeneration Corp. in Recent Acquisitions

Robinson+Cole’s Capital Markets and Securities Team (the Team) was pleased to represent GrowGeneration Corp. (GrowGen), an owner and operator of a network of specialty hydroponic gardening stores, in the acquisition of Agron.io, a leading wholesale agriculture platform that allows commercial growers to manage their purchasing and logistics in one platform. Led by Team Chair Mitchell L. Lampert, Frank W. Eucalitto, Michael J. Kearney, Jr., Kayla C. O'Leary, Austin G. Provost, and Jacqueline Pennino Scheib advised GrowGen on the transaction. With this acquisition, announced on March 22, 2021, Agron.io Powered by GrowGeneration continues to be a one-stop destination for GrowGeneration's growing roster of commercial clients across the U.S. Read more.

In addition, the Team also represented GrowGen in its acquisition of Char Coir, an RHP-certified growing medium made from the highest-grade coconut fiber available. Char Coir's line of coco products is projected to add in excess of $15 million in revenue to GrowGen in 2021. Led by Team Chair Mitch Lampert, Michael Kearney, Kayla O'Leary Taylor A. Shea, Jacqueline Pennino Scheib and Adam T. Tamzoke advised GrowGen on the transaction. The acquisition was announced on March 15, 2021. Read more.

78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024

78 Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024. Of the 78 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 57 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Robinson+Cole also has the highest number of listed lawyers in Connecticut in the areas of environmental law and insurance law. Approximately, the top 5 percent of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Additionally, five lawyers were named Best Lawyers® 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” in the following offices, in the noted practice areas:

Hartford, CT – Best Lawyers® 2024 “Lawyer of the Year”

Jacqueline Pennino Scheib – Trademark Law

Michael R. Enright – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Theodore J. Tucci – Insurance Law

Boston, MA – Best Lawyers® 2024 “Lawyer of the Year”

Michael S. Giaimo – Land Use and Zoning Law

Stamford, CT – Best Lawyers® 2024 “Lawyer of the Year”

Patricia D. Weitzman – Health Care Law and Litigation-Health Care

A Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” designation is awarded to one lawyer in each of various high-profile specialties in large legal communities. These particular lawyers received the highest ratings among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.

The fourth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America was also released, which includes 23 Robinson+Cole lawyers. The “Ones to Watch” recognition is given to attorneys early in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. The firm has the highest number of lawyers to receive this designation in Hartford, Connecticut. Read more in the press release.

74 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023

74 Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023. Of the 74 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 54 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Robinson+Cole also has the highest number of listed lawyers in Connecticut in the areas of environmental law insurance law and construction litigation. Only the top 5.3 percent of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Additionally, the following five lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Brian R. Smith in Land Use and Zoning Law, Christine E. Bromberg in Tax Law, James P. Ray in Litigation – Environmental, Joey Lee Miranda in Energy Regulatory Law, Norman H. Roos in Banking and Finance Law, Rachel V. Kushel in Employment Law – Management, Theodore J. Tucci in  Health Care Law and Virginia E. McGarrity – in Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.

The third edition of Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” was also released, includes 23 Robinson+Cole lawyers. The “Ones to Watch” recognition is given to attorneys early in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. The firm has the highest number of lawyers to receive this designation in Hartford, Connecticut. Read more in the press release.

65 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022

65 Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022. Of the 65 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 49 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Robinson+Cole also has the highest number of listed lawyers in Connecticut in the areas of environmental law and insurance law.

Additionally, the following five lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Patrick M. Birney in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Michael F. Maglio in Banking and Finance Law, Robert S. Melvin in Environmental Law, Joey Lee Miranda in Energy Law and Jacqueline Pennino Scheib in Trademark Law. Peter V. Lacouture was also named a Best Lawyers® 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in Providence, Rhode Island in the area of Energy Law.

The second edition of Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” was also released, of which 17 total Robinson+Cole lawyers are listed in. The “Ones to Watch” recognition is given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Read more in the press release.