Lee C. Hodge

Education

• J.D., cum laude, Wake Forest School of Law, 2008. Research Editor, Wake Forest Law Review.
• B.A., summa cum laude, North Carolina State University, 2004

Representative Experience

• Representation of the developer of a $60 million dollar mixed-use student housing complex in structuring the economic and management structure for the joint venture project entity
• Representation of a real estate developer in the negotiation of a $45 million refinancing of a construction loan into a non-recourse loan with Fannie Mae
• Negotiation of the sale of a complex oil and gas filtration business to a strategic buyer in the private equity industry
• Negotiation of an Operating Agreement with a complex management structure and multiple layers of profit/loss allocations and cash distributions
• Advising a management team on business succession planning issues involving active and passive family members and non-family member executives
• Collaboration with estate planning colleagues to advise business owners on efficiently transferring business equity value to children and grandchildren in a tax efficient manner
• Representation of a property owner on a complex property tax issue before the local Board of Equalization and Review and the North Carolina Property Tax Commission
• Representation of a business on the purchase of a corporate aircraft and proper ownership structure to minimize liability exposure and maximize tax efficiency
• Advising the owners of a limited liability company regarding the most tax efficient manner to structure the sale of its business
• Representation of business founders in the negotiation of an equity compensation plan for key executives to maximize economic results while meeting the client's tax goals
• Representation of real estate investors on complex 1031 exchange planning, including swap and drop, drop and swap, and alternative cash-out 1031 exchange structures

Honors and Distinctions*

• "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Business, 2018

Professional and Community Affiliations

• Craven 100 Alliance (member, board of directors; member, Executive Committee)
• New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce (member, board of directors; member, Executive Committee; member, Finance Committee; Leadership Craven Alumnus, Class of 2010; Young Professionals Group)
• North Carolina Bar Association — Sections: Business Law; Law Practice Management & Technology; Tax
• North Carolina Professional Lobbyists Association
• North Carolina Technology Association

Admitted to Practice

• North Carolina, 2008
• All state courts in North Carolina

About Me

"To be, rather than to seem."  

The motto of the State of North Carolina sums up one of my core values, which is to always act in an intentional and genuine manner to deliver real value in all of my personal and professional endeavors. I admire the enthusiasm that our clients show for adding values to their customers' businesses, which drives our clients to constantly innovate to ensure that their businesses deliver first in class solutions to meet the problems their customers face. Like the lawyers in our firm, our clients take the time to get to know their customers so that they can deliver tailored solutions that add value to their customers' businesses.