Two prominent law firms based in the Southwest combine, expanding legal services and providing clients the benefit of a multijurisdictional presence

PHOENIX, ARIZONA — Two prominent law firms based in the Southwest have joined together to establish Jennings Haug Keleher McLeod, LLP (JHKM). Phoenix-based Jennings Haug Cunningham, LLP and Albuquerque-based Keleher & McLeod, P.A. have combined to become a multijurisdictional full-service, litigation and business law firm.

JHKM combines the strengths of Jennings Haug Cunningham, one of the longest established and most respected litigation and business law firms in Arizona, and Keleher & McLeod, a New Mexico law firm established more than a century ago and long recognized for its success in regulatory matters, civil litigation and appellate law.

“Attorneys with our firms have worked together over the years and have come to value and respect one another,” said John Sinodis, chairman of Jennings Haug Keleher McLeod. “Our firms have an unmatched history in the Southwest, both having been an integral part of one of the most successful and sustained periods of regional growth in U.S. history. Together, we represent nearly 200 years of experience and perspective, coupled with a vast network of resources, and intend to put those combined assets to work for our clients throughout the Southwest.”

Jennings Haug Cunningham was founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1937 and became known nationally for construction, and fidelity and surety law. In Arizona, the firm’s environmental, business litigation and malpractice attorneys are regularly recognized for their legal skill, integrity and commitment to the legal profession.

Founded in 1915, Keleher & McLeod’s storied background in Albuquerque and New Mexico established the firm as one of the state’s most recognized and respected commercial and civil trial law firms. Over the years, the firm’s attorneys have remained steadfast in the commitment of its founders to excellence, professionalism and decency, which has been instrumental in growing the firm and expanding its services into energy regulatory, banking, appellate and tribal law matters.

“Just as the Southwest continues to grow and transform, so are we,” said Deron Knoner, New Mexico managing partner of JHKM. “Our new relationship with Jennings Haug Cunningham is an excellent way to increase our capabilities and geography, ultimately improving service to our current and future clients. Both firms have a very similar culture rooted in service, respect and dedication to excellence, so deciding to combine and grow together as Jennings Haug Keleher McLeod just made a lot of sense.”

PHOTO: (L) Deron Knoner, New Mexico managing partner and (R) John Sinodis, chairman of Jennings Haug Keleher McLeod, LLP (JHKM)

Eric S. Deems to lead the firm’s newest office serving middle Tennessee and surrounding markets, providing land brokerage and real estate advisory services.   

Scottsdale, Arizona– Scottsdale-based Land Advisors Organization is expanding its southeast regional footprint with the addition of a new office in Nashville, Tennessee to serve middle Tennessee and the surrounding markets, which include Huntsville, Alabama and southern Kentucky.

The new office will be managed by Eric S. Deems, an established real estate professional with expertise in strategic real estate planning, land brokerage and development, and site selection. The firm plans to continue growing its Nashville team with the addition of several more advisors and support staff throughout the first part of the year.

This new location marks Land Advisors Organization’s sixth office in the region, with offices currently in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia, and Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa, Florida.

Deems has facilitated more than $500 million in real estate transactions over his career. A resident of Nashville, Deems is recognized in the real estate industry for his ability to connect parties with shared objectives as well as his adeptness in navigating complex transactions and guiding investor relations through acquisitions, public-private partnerships, and joint venture arrangements.

Throughout his career he has been involved with managing multi-market development projects for clients in multifamily, student housing, and industrial land development. He is also well versed in managing multi-state real estate portfolios and strategic site selection for large entities such as the Tennessee Valley Authority, the United States Postal Service, and several private companies and investment funds.

“Bringing our national resources and relationships to the Nashville market has been a goal of ours for a while,” said Greg Vogel, founder and CEO of Land Advisors Organization. “Eric’s experience as a connector fits our culture very well. He and his future team are joining Land Advisors Organization at a time when there is a significant opportunity for national builders and developers to expand in the greater Nashville market. We’re pretty excited about the partnership and thrilled to be able to connect our customers with someone of his caliber.”

Land Advisors Organization’s Nashville office will provide advisory services to landowners, home builders, developers, and investors. In addition, the firm’s expansive data-driven market analytics are now available for the middle Tennessee and surrounding markets to assist in strategic land planning decisions for both landowners and buyers.

“I’ve always viewed myself as an entrepreneur and a problem solver,” said Deems. “Joining the team of Land Advisors Organization fits perfectly for me because of the firm’s entrepreneurial approach and the fact that middle Tennessee and its surrounding markets are primed for investment by larger developers from major markets. It’s exciting to facilitate introductions and help build relationships that mean so much to the economy and future of this area we call home.”

Deems earned his MBA from Vanderbilt University and received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Belmont University. Deems is a licensed real estate broker in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama and serves the community as a volunteer firefighter with Williamson Fire-Rescue, board chairman of Nashville Emerging Leaders, and is involved with various other community organizations.

Land Advisors Organization’s Nashville office is located at 3102 West End Avenue, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37203.

PHOTO: Eric Deems, LAO Nashville Manager

TUCSON, ARIZONA – Aerie Development affiliate, Aerie Northwest, paid $3.7 million for 12.7-acres at 2050 W Oracle Jaynes Station Road for its latest luxury multifamily project.  Located at La Cholla and Oracle Jayne Station, the property is adjacent to The Fountains at La Cholla.

Aerie Development (Roger Karber, manager) took over an existing escrow between M3 Engineering and Technology and Rhodock Holdings (Allen Murdock, principal) to acquire the TR-Zoned property.

Karber estimated the site would be able to accommodate roughly 130-units after taking into account the hills and washes. Plans are to construct 2-story, 8-plexes, with 10 ft ceilings, and plenty of windows, balconies and oversized patios to take advantage of those views.

The new apartment homes will be similar to Pima Canyon Apartment Homes, also developed by Aerie from 2017-2018 with 240-units at 750 West Orange Grove Road. Pima Canyon was sold in 2019 to investors.

Aerie Northwest will be equally luxurious with all the Aerie style amenities.

Improving multifamily property fundamentals have contributed to a healthy pace of transaction activity in the Tucson market for the past several years, and the investment market gained momentum again during the fourth quarter. More properties traded at higher prices in the 4th quarter, as investors have become more aggressive, and competition for assets intensified. While a few newer properties have changed hands in recent months, the bulk of the sales activity has been occurring in late 1980s- and 1990s-vintage, Class B properties. The median price in these types of properties (40+ units) has reached nearly $179,000 per unit, up from less than $159,000 per unit in Q3 2021.

To learn more, see RED Comp 9430.