Michael Lyon

I have been practicing real estate and finance law in San Diego since 1982 and am currently the leader of Procopio’s Real Estate and Environmental Team. I have handled a wide range of real estate transactional matters involving commercial, residential, and mixed - use projects, with an emphasis on mezzanine lending, acquisitions and sales, financing, development projects, joint venture formation and other equity investments, joint development agreements, and reciprocal easement and operating agreements for shopping centers and business parks. I have also handled all types of leasing transactions on behalf of landlords, tenants, and management companies, including negotiating and drafting retail, industrial, and office leases, lease restructuring and workouts. I have counseled institutional and private lenders, developers, investors, government agencies, national and regional retailers, and contractors on contract, title insurance, financing and dispute resolution issues, and previously served as general counsel to a nationally ranked residential developer.I also have extensive experience in the real estate workout business, advising clients on debt restructuring and enforcement. I assist clients with due diligence, management and disposition of distressed real estate assets, with a particular expertise in workouts of non-performing mezzanine loans and other forms of subordinate debt, including enforcement of security interests in equity interests under the UCC and strategies for navigating the complexities of intercreditor agreements.Prior to joining Procopio, I practiced at the law firms of Hilding Kipins Lyon & Kelly, Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith, Scalone Stipanov Yaffa & Mebane, and Hillyer & Irwin.