Professionals
503.553.3130 
503.226.0259 
Joseph West has practiced in the areas of real estate, business and banking law in Oregon for over 25 years. His real estate practice includes representation of owners, developers and lenders in a wide variety of matters, particularly in connection with residential and commercial real estate development and finance.
Mr. West routinely negotiates and drafts joint venture agreements, purchase and sale agreements, leases, easements, option agreements and loan and financing documents. He also provides legal advice on title, land use, environmental and Section 1031 exchange issues.
His business practice includes business planning, limited liability company and other entity formation, negotiation and preparation of contracts, purchase and sale of business entities and corporate governance matters. Mr. West also represents several nonprofit corporations.
Mr. West formerly served as in-house counsel with U.S. Bancorp, where he provided legal advice regarding all aspects of finance and banking, including commercial and consumer lending, retail and electronic banking services and regulatory compliance.
Experience
Asphalt Refinery PurchaseRepresented purchaser of asphalt refinery assets and real property located in Portland, Oregon, including transfers of submerged land lease, railroad easement rights, and extensive pipeline easements and City of Portland franchise rights. Transaction included formation of new purchaser entity and review and negotiation of loan documents to finance the acquisition.
Commercial Loan for Dealer AcquisitionRepresented nationally-based commercial lender in $25-million equipment and real estate secured financing as part of a $45-million asset acquisition of heavy equipment dealer in Lane County, Oregon, including negotiating and preparing secured loan documentation for property located in multiple Oregon counties.
Industrial Site DevelopmentRepresented Japanese microchip manufacturer in $3.8-million acquisition of industrial park site in Hillsboro, Oregon, and subsequent construction and development of $8.1-million semiconductor manufacturing facility, including synthetic lease financing.
Land Acquisition and DevelopmentRepresented residential developers in land acquisitions and subsequent developments for subdivision, PUD, town and condominium projects in Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area. This included negotiating and documenting options to purchase for regional homebuilder on over 150 acres of land in Washington County, Oregon, for residential subdivision development. Also represented several family farm clients in multi-million dollar sales of land to developers and subsequent tax-deferred exchanges into investment real estate.
Multistate LoanRepresented owner of assisted-living facilities in connection with obtaining $40-million line of credit secured by 16 assisted-living properties located throughout the United States, including subsequent amendments with additional 18 assisted-living facilities as collateral.
Shopping CentersRepresented purchasers in multimillion dollar acquisitions of regional, retail shopping centers, including negotiating financing and reviewing leases, title, environmental and other due diligence matters. These transactions involved acquisitions to complete Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. Ongoing representation includes leasing and loan covenant compliance matters.
Professional Activities
- Member, Oregon State Bar Real Estate and Land Use Section
Community Activities
- Pro Bono Counsel to several nonprofit organizations including Oregon Business Association, Edwards Center, Tualatin Lacrosse Club and Northwest Mothers Milk Bank
- Volunteer, City of Tualatin youth sports organizations
Publications
- "Highway Access, Principles of Oregon Real Estate Law," Oregon State Bar CLE Handbook, 1998 and 2003 supplement.
