Daniel S. Schleck

Attorney

Minneapolis

612-672-3683

dschleck@messerlikramer.com

Assistant: Sonya Halverson

612-672-3771

Profile

Daniel Schleck’s varied career has involved many areas of transactional law including environmental law and policy; renewable energy projects; commercial real estate development; financing and corporate matters; municipal and land use law; and eminent domain proceedings.  More specifically, Dan has experience in structuring complex transactions and financing packages for all aspects of property development.  He has successfully secured significant public grant funds including TIF, PACE and TBRA funds for clients that choose to redevelop contaminated property—using these funds in creative and successful financing structures.  As a former city attorney for Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Dan’s unique perspective allows him to add value when negotiating development agreements, including tax Increment financing with municipalities.  Dan’s technical and hands-on experience developing projects, cleaning up contaminated sites and utilizing complex financing structures, has given him a deep understanding of clients’ issues and needs in these area.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Dan worked as an environmental and chemical engineer utilizing his skills and background to provide project management to many hazardous waste site clean-up projects for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, various state environmental agencies, and private companies.  Having been involved in planning, pricing and project management for these various agencies,  Mr. Schleck uses his experience to deliver solutions to clients in a timely, cost effective and measurable manner.

Dan was admitted to the bar in 1995 after graduating from Chicago Kent College that same year.  He is a licensed professional engineer in Wisconsin, and has received certifications as a hazardous materials manager and environmental specialist.  Dan is a frequent lecturer at numerous continuing education classes and seminars.

Representative Experience
  • Represented Minneapolis charter high school in multi-lender, multi-million dollar New Market Tax Credit financing transaction.

  • Represented lender in an $8 million Property Assessed Clean Energy loan transaction involving multiple lenders and security positions, with loan security involvement from the local municipal development agency.

  • Represented client in a merger and acquisition involving compliance with the Federal Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, receiving approval from the Federal Homeland Security Department for sale to Japanese company.

  • Represented lender in more than a dozen PACE lending transactions and secured approval of loan documents from designated state lenders for conduit loans.

  • Represented client in sale of property, retirement of delinquent taxes at a discount, securing $3 million dollars in tax increment financing, and securing $8 million in traditional financing for the redevelopment of a Minnesota shopping mall.

  • Represented regional bank in work-outs on numerous commercial real estate loans which included title correction; foreclosure by action; recovery of deficiency judgments; complicated Federal Internal Revenue Department documentation and negotiations; recovery of repayment from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for loss share agreement and general real estate work.

  • Assisted local professional practice in complex valuation matter, related to buy-out of deceased member’s surviving spouse.

  • Represented local auto dealership in several zoning and land use matters related to expansion of dealership, prior non-conforming uses, and purchase of additional real estate.

  • Represented several groups working to establish an agricultural wind cooperative in several thousand acres of land, for wind rights separated from the fee interest to negotiate as a block on leasing such air rights.

  • Representing commercial land owner in recovery of damages from seller, environmental consultant and third-party contractors, from fraudulent sale of environmentally contaminated property.

  • Representing landowner of former construction demolition landfill in regulatory taking and inverse condemnation matter against State of Minnesota.

  • Represent convenience store owner in condemnation matter involving government agency.

  • Represent family-owned farm in direct condemnation matter involving government agency.

  • Represent several clients in various clean-up and compliance matters involving the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Publications & Presentations

Publications 

Presentations 

  • Moderator, “Navigating Unique Environmental Site Challenges: Financing, Liability & Vapor Intrusion” – Brownfields Redevelopment Summit, May 2018
  • Presenter, “The Legal E’s: Contract Basics and When to Think About Exceptions” – Messerli Kramer, December 2016
  • Co-Presenter, “Developers Roundup: Trends & Updates” – Commercial Real Estate Forum, June 2016
Professional & Community

Admissions 

  • Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota

Certifications 

  • Certified Environment Specialist
  • Certified Hazardous Material Manager
  • Licensed Professional Engineer  

Associations 

  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
  • Hennepin County Bar Association, Member
  • Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals, North Star Chapter, Member
  • Minnesota Brownfield Foundation, Member
  • Risk Management Association, Minneapolis Chapter, Member
Honors & Distinctions
  • Lead Counsel Rated in Real Property Law, Thomson Reuters, 2017
  • Former President, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association

  • Founding Member, Minnesota Brownfield Foundation