Best & Flanagan is pleased to announce the addition of two attorneys, Michael T. Hatting and Olivia J. Leyrer, to its well-established commercial lending and real estate practice group.

Mike Hatting joins Best & Flanagan as a Partner. In his practice, Mike helps real estate developers, owners, investors and lenders buy, sell, develop, finance and lease all types of commercial and residential real estate projects. He provides business law advice related to entity formation, structure and governance for corporate clients, and he regularly advises on commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions, project development, joint venture financing, formation of real estate investment funds, property management and leasing.

Prior to joining Best & Flanagan, Mike was a partner with Stinson LLP. He previously served as the executive vice president and general counsel to a private real estate development company where he helped form and manage a real estate investment fund focused on redressing distressed properties. Mike is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law and Macalester College.

Sarah Crippen, Managing Partner at Best & Flanagan said, “Best & Flanagan has deep roots in real estate law, and we are excited to welcome Mike and Olivia as we build on that rich history. Mike brings years of experience in the Minneapolis legal community and Olivia represents the future of our real estate group. We couldn’t be happier to welcome these talented lawyers to our team.”

Olivia Leyrer joins Best & Flanagan as an Associate in the Real Estate and Municipal Law practice groups. Prior to joining Best & Flanagan, Olivia advised both city governments and private developers on complex real estate and development issues. Part of her practice also includes eminent domain and condemnation proceedings and private property litigation. Olivia is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School.