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Building and Defending Real Estate Investments: Tax Strategies, Brokerage Litigation, and Asset Protection Pitfalls

Advanced strategies for real estate entity structuring, brokerage litigation, and protecting assets from veil piercing claims.

2025-09-24 13:00:00

2.5 hours

Program Details

2025-09-24 13:00:00

Program Details

2025-09-24 13:00:00

Over 1,000+ webinars

2025-09-24 13:00:00

2.5 hours

Course Overview

Protecting Real Estate Assets Through Strategic Structures

2025-09-24 13:00:00

Participants will learn advanced entity structuring, brokerage litigation strategies, and asset protection techniques for real estate transactions. These skills help practitioners minimize client liability and defend against veil piercing claims.

Format

CLE Credit

2.5h CLE Credits

Level

Intermediate

Length

2.5

Key topics that will be covered

01
Entity Structures
The OPCO/PROPCO model separates operations from property ownership for risk segregation.
02
Tax Strategies
1031 exchanges, opportunity zones, and entity taxation options optimize real estate investments.
03
Commission Collection
Broker lien rights exist in 34 states for commercial real estate commission disputes.
04
Brokerage Defense
Common claims include misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and regulatory violations.
05
License Portability
Brokers crossing state lines face varying compliance requirements in turf and cooperative states.
06
Veil Piercing
Maintaining separate bank accounts and records protects against nearly 40% successful piercing claims.

Program schedule

clock 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST

Optimizing Real Estate Deals: Entity Structures and Tax Strategies

This session explores the OPCO/PROPCO model for separating operational activities from property ownership, providing risk segregation and financing flexibility. Attendees will learn best practices for maintaining organizational separateness, ensuring compliance, and implementing tax-advantaged structuring options including 1031 exchanges and qualified opportunity zones.

Brandi JoffrionBrandi Joffrion
James A. HochmanJames A. Hochman
Tod A. NorthmanTod A. Northman
clock 2:10 pm - 3:10 pm EST

Brokerage Litigation and Defense: Commissions to Compliance

This session covers the full spectrum of brokerage litigation, from asserting and foreclosing broker liens to defending against misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Through real-world case examples, attendees will examine commission collection strategies, broker defense tactics, and critical license portability requirements for cross-border transactions.

Brandi JoffrionBrandi Joffrion
James A. HochmanJames A. Hochman
Tod A. NorthmanTod A. Northman
clock 3:20 pm - 3:50 pm EST

Exploring the Limits to Asset Protection Strategies

This session examines veil piercing claims and the legal tests courts apply to hold owners liable for entity debts. Attendees will learn essential practices for maintaining entity separateness, structuring multi-entity enterprises, and navigating the evolving landscape of reverse veil piercing and series LLC litigation.

Brandi JoffrionBrandi Joffrion
James A. HochmanJames A. Hochman
Tod A. NorthmanTod A. Northman
Brandi Joffrion

Brandi Joffrion

B. Joffrion Consulting LLC

James A. Hochman

James A. Hochman

Schain, Banks, Kenny & Schwartz Ltd.

Tod A. Northman

Tod A. Northman

Tucker Ellis LLP

Brandi Joffrion

Brandi Joffrion

B. Joffrion Consulting LLC

Ms. Joffrion specializes in guiding entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses in choosing the right legal structure for their ventures, including LLC and corporation formations. Her consulting is rooted in a rich legal background with extensive experience in litigation and regulatory compliance.

Experience

Prior to focusing on business formations, Ms. Joffrion worked extensively in litigation, developing a deep understanding of how the legal system impacts business operations. She oversaw an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance department for an overseas law firm, navigating complex regulatory frameworks and emphasizing risk management in business operations.
James A. Hochman

James A. Hochman

Schain, Banks, Kenny & Schwartz Ltd.

Jim represents commercial real estate brokerage firms, landlords, tenants, and commercial real estate investors in all phases of commercial and residential real estate. He is also a licensed real estate managing broker with extensive experience in real estate services and legislation.

Education & Credentials

Taught a course at John Marshall Law School (now University of Illinois Chicago School of Law) in the LLM for Real Estate Law Program in Real Estate Documents and Negotiation.

Recognition & Leadership

Architect and drafter of license portability legislation for commercial real estate brokers in several states. Sponsored and co-authored the Illinois Commercial Real Estate Broker Lien Act. Several states have adopted similar statutes through his drafting and lobbying efforts including Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas.

Professional Involvement

Faculty member for the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) teaching a course in commercial real estate leases and lease negotiations. President of the Blue Spring Lake Management District, a local government entity in Jefferson County, Palmyra, Wisconsin.

Experience

Before joining Schain Banks, Jim was a Partner at two other law firms from 2005 to 2016. Operated a private law practice in Wheaton, Illinois concentrating in real estate and real estate related litigation. Served as Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel to CBRE for 22 years, representing CBRE in all aspects of its real estate services lines of business in 20 states in the Central United States. Served as general counsel to a real estate development firm specializing in condominium conversions and as branch counsel for a national title insurer. Handled hundreds perhaps thousands of residential transactions. After 22 years of service, retired as a Commander in the United States Naval Reserve with final assignments as special assistant counsel to the U.S. Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces.
Tod A. Northman

Tod A. Northman

Tucker Ellis LLP

Tod Northman is a partner with more than three decades experience in commercial law, real estate, business transactions, artificial intelligence technology, and dispute resolution. He helps guide clients through difficult situations with pragmatic advice and a can-do attitude.

Experience

Partner in the Cleveland office of Tucker Ellis LLP with over 30 years of experience. Represents publicly traded and privately held companies in diverse industries across the country with particular expertise in the aviation and autonomous vehicles industries.
Brandi Joffrion

Brandi Joffrion

B. Joffrion Consulting LLC

Ms. Joffrion specializes in guiding entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses in choosing the right legal structure for their ventures, including LLC and corporation formations. Her consulting is rooted in a rich legal background with extensive experience in litigation and regulatory compliance.

Experience

Prior to focusing on business formations, Ms. Joffrion worked extensively in litigation, developing a deep understanding of how the legal system impacts business operations. She oversaw an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance department for an overseas law firm, navigating complex regulatory frameworks and emphasizing risk management in business operations.
James A. Hochman

James A. Hochman

Schain, Banks, Kenny & Schwartz Ltd.

Jim represents commercial real estate brokerage firms, landlords, tenants, and commercial real estate investors in all phases of commercial and residential real estate. He is also a licensed real estate managing broker with extensive experience in real estate services and legislation.

Education & Credentials

Taught a course at John Marshall Law School (now University of Illinois Chicago School of Law) in the LLM for Real Estate Law Program in Real Estate Documents and Negotiation.

Recognition & Leadership

Architect and drafter of license portability legislation for commercial real estate brokers in several states. Sponsored and co-authored the Illinois Commercial Real Estate Broker Lien Act. Several states have adopted similar statutes through his drafting and lobbying efforts including Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas.

Professional Involvement

Faculty member for the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) teaching a course in commercial real estate leases and lease negotiations. President of the Blue Spring Lake Management District, a local government entity in Jefferson County, Palmyra, Wisconsin.

Experience

Before joining Schain Banks, Jim was a Partner at two other law firms from 2005 to 2016. Operated a private law practice in Wheaton, Illinois concentrating in real estate and real estate related litigation. Served as Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel to CBRE for 22 years, representing CBRE in all aspects of its real estate services lines of business in 20 states in the Central United States. Served as general counsel to a real estate development firm specializing in condominium conversions and as branch counsel for a national title insurer. Handled hundreds perhaps thousands of residential transactions. After 22 years of service, retired as a Commander in the United States Naval Reserve with final assignments as special assistant counsel to the U.S. Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces.
Tod A. Northman

Tod A. Northman

Tucker Ellis LLP

Tod Northman is a partner with more than three decades experience in commercial law, real estate, business transactions, artificial intelligence technology, and dispute resolution. He helps guide clients through difficult situations with pragmatic advice and a can-do attitude.

Experience

Partner in the Cleveland office of Tucker Ellis LLP with over 30 years of experience. Represents publicly traded and privately held companies in diverse industries across the country with particular expertise in the aviation and autonomous vehicles industries.

Credits by state

AK2.5
AL2.5
AR2.5
AZ2.5
CA2.5
CO2.5
CT2.5
DC2.5
DE2.5
FL2.5
GA2.5
HI2.5
IA2.5
ID2.5
IL2.5
IN2.5
KS2.5
KY2.5
LA2.5
MA2.5
MD2.5
ME2.5
MI2.5
MN2.5
MO3.0
MS2.5
MT2.5
NC2.5
ND2.5
NE2.5
NH150.0
NJ3.0
NM2.5
NV2.5
NY3.0
OH2.5
OK3.0
OR2.5
PA2.5
RI3.0
SC2.5
SD2.5
TN2.5
TX2.5
UT2.5
VA2.5
VT2.5
WA2.5
WI3.0
WV3.0
WY2.5

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Trusted by Legal Professionals

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Trusted by Legal Professionals

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MCLE Credits

Alabama
Pending
Alaska
Approved
Arizona
Approved
Arkansas
Approved
California
Approved
Colorado
Pending
Connecticut
Approved
Delaware
Approved
District of Columbia
No Required
Florida
Approved
Georgia
Approved
Hawaii
Approved
Idaho
Pending
Illinois
Approved
Indiana
Pending
Iowa
Pending
Kansas
Pending
Kentucky
Pending
Louisiana
Pending
Maine
Pending
Maryland
No Required
Massachusetts
No Required
Michigan
No Required
Minnesota
Approved
Mississippi
Pending
Missouri
Approved
Montana
Pending
Nebraska
Pending
Nevada
Pending
New Hampshire
Approved
New Jersey
Approved
New Mexico
Approved
New York
Approved
North Carolina
Pending
North Dakota
Approved
Ohio
Approved
Oklahoma
Pending
Oregon
Approved
Pennsylvania
Approved
Rhode Island
Pending
South Carolina
Pending
South Dakota
No Required
Tennessee
Approved
Texas
Approved
Utah
Pending
Vermont
Approved
Virginia
Not Eligible
Washington
Approved
West Virginia
Pending
Wisconsin
Approved
Wyoming
Pending

Alabama

Requirements

The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.  

Formats

  • Attorneys can earn unlimited “live” credit through live seminars, live webcasts, and co-sponsored locations with MyLAWCLE-Alabama approved programs
  • Attorneys are limited to 6 credits per compliance period of “online” programs through MyLAwCLE On-Demand programs