Brett A. Perry

Attorney

Minneapolis

612-672-3646

bperry@messerlikramer.com

Assistant: Deirdre Doane

612-672-3712

Profile Representative Experience Publications & Presentations Professional & Community Honors & Distinctions
Profile

Brett Perry concentrates his practice on banking and finance, with a particular focus on credit facilities secured by real estate. His practice also includes commercial, residential, and industrial real estate transactions. 

Brett’s work includes preparing documentation relating to development, construction and permanent financing loans; sales and acquisition; development and land use; subdivision and entitlements; leasing; and common interest communities. His clients include regional and community banks; developers of single-family and multi-family projects; hotel, retail, multi-family, and office building owners; restaurant owners; and mortgage brokers. 

Brett sees his primary role as an attorney to counsel his clients and structure transactions that minimize risk while efficiently resolving any issues that may arise during the course of a transaction. 

Practice Areas

Banking & Finance Banking Operations Commercial Financing Creditors’ Remedies Tax Credit Financing Commercial Real Estate 1031 Exchanges Acquisition & Sales Commercial Leasing Development & Land Use Environmental Real Estate Financing Corporate

Education

  • Hamline University School of Law, J.D.
  • St. Olaf College, B.A.
Representative Experience
  • Represented client in the acquisition of approximately 9,700 acres of farmland in the Midwest.

  • Represented a software developer in financing its acquisition of an on-demand workforce management software developer, doubling the size of their business.

  • Developed strategy and represented a retail developer in a three-way negotiation with a national discount store operator and a multi-state grocery franchisee, resulting in significant asset value appreciation for client.

  • Represented a client in the acquisition and financing of a multi-unit and Minnesota-concept restaurant chain.

  • Represented lender in a loan transaction for the refinance of two multi-tenant industrial buildings comprising more than 1 million square feet, located in Warren, Michigan.

  • Represented lender in a loan transaction for the acquisition of a 55-unit multi-tenant apartment in a 1031 exchange in St. Paul, Minnesota.

  • Represented lender in a loan transaction for the acquisition of eight  student apartment housing buildings located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

  • Represented lender in two loan transactions to two affiliated borrowers, to refinance, renovate and fund leasing and other stabilization costs for two office buildings located in King County, Washington.

  • Represented lender in two loan transactions for the acquisition of self-storage facilities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New York, New York.

  • Represented lender in three separate loan transactions for the acquisition of self-storage facilities in Vinton, Virginia, Apex, North Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina.

  • Represented lender in transaction with multiple loans to multiple affiliated borrowing entities to refinance debt secured by senior living developments and corporate debt secured by a leasehold interest in an airplane hangar.

  • Represented lender in a loan to finance the rehabilitation and construction of self-storage units in Memphis, Tennessee.

  • Represented lender to refinance debt and fund tenant improvements to an office building located in Bloomington, Minnesota.

  • Represented lender in three loan transactions to fund the subdivision of property in Town of Baytown, Minnesota and Roberts, Wisconsin.

  • Represented lender in a loan transaction for the acquisition of a 115,000 square foot multi-tenant mixed-use building in Lansing, Michigan.

  • Represented lender in a loan transaction for the acquisition of student housing apartment building in Lansing, Michigan.

  • Represented lender in a loan transaction to fund the construction of a 157-unit multi-family apartment project in Plymouth, Minnesota, which included tax increment and city financing.

  • Represented client in the acquisition of a full service hotel in Northbrook, Illinois.
  • Represented client in the acquisition of a multi-property portfolio of full service hotels in Rosemount, Illinois.
  • Represented client in the acquisition of a full service hotel in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Represented client in the re-capitalization of a full service hotel in Roseville, Minnesota.
  • Represented client in the acquisition of a student housing apartment complex in Rochester, Minnesota.
  • Represented client in the acquisition of multiple multi-family properties in Mankato, Minnesota, and the sale of the same after value add stabilization effort.
  • Represented client in the acquisition of a multi-family property in New Hope, Minnesota.
  • Represent regional retail developer/owner in leasing properties to national, regional and local tenants.
Publications & Presentations

Presentations

  • Presenter, “Commercial Lending Update” – Associated Bank, September 7, 2017

  • Adjunct Professor of Law, “Commercial Real Estate Transactions” – Hamline University School of Law, 1996-2015

  • Presenter, “UCC Article 9 (2010 Amendments)” – KleinBank, January 16, 2013

  • Presenter, “Construction Lending” – KleinBank, November 15, 2012

Professional & Community

Admissions 

  • Minnesota

Associations 

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Real Property Law Section, Member
  • Hennepin County Bar Association, Member

Certifications 

  • Real Property Law Specialist certified by the Real Property Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association
Honors & Distinctions
  • Minnesota Monthly: Top Lawyer in Minnesota, 2025
  • American Jurisprudence Awards in Commercial Real Estate Transactions, 1993 and Property II, 1994