Real Estate Law
J. Drake Brinkley
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Drake works with entities and individuals in transactions involving commercial real property. A substantial portion of his practice is focused on representing both landlords and tenants in commercial lease negotiations for a wide variety of spaces, including office locations, retail centers, industrial facilities, and solar farms. In addition, Drake represents buyers and sellers in negotiating and closing purchases and sales, including tax-deferred exchanges. He also represents developers and investors in all aspects of the land development process, including obtaining land use and zoning entitlements. He also represents borrowers and lenders in financing transactions. Drake also regularly assists clients with real property issues associated with mergers, acquisitions, and company divestitures. Drake's civil engineering background provides practical assistance to clients throughout real estate transactions. He is an accredited Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design associate (LEED AP).
Overview
Greenville, North Carolina
- Campbell University, J.D., graduated 2006
- North Carolina State University, B.S., graduated 2002
- North Carolina, 2006
- North Carolina State University - College of Engineering, Engineering Foundation Board of Directors, Member
- North Carolina Bar Association - Member- Sections: Business Law; Real Property Law
- Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce - Leadership Greenville Alumnus, Class of 2015
- Greenville ENC Alliance - Board of Directors Chair (present), Vice Chair (2022-2023), Secretary (2021-2022)
- United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
- All state courts in North Carolina
- North Carolina, 2006
Greenville, North Carolina
- North Carolina, 2006
- North Carolina State University - College of Engineering, Engineering Foundation Board of Directors, Member
- North Carolina Bar Association - Member- Sections: Business Law; Real Property Law
- Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce - Leadership Greenville Alumnus, Class of 2015
- Greenville ENC Alliance - Board of Directors Chair (present), Vice Chair (2022-2023), Secretary (2021-2022)
- Campbell University, J.D., graduated 2006
- North Carolina State University, B.S., graduated 2002
- United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
- All state courts in North Carolina
- North Carolina, 2006
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Real Estate Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Construction Law
- Economic Development Law
Special Focus:
- COVID-19
Awards:
"Rising Star," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 201
"Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Real Estate Law, 2023
News & Media
Case History
Transactions
- Representation of a cellular service provider
Representation of a cellular service provider in multiple counties to obtain special use permits for the installation of cellular towers
- Representation of real estate investors
Representation of real estate investors on 1031 exchange planning and transactions
- Representation of a multi-campus private school
Representation of a multi-campus private school in multiple lease negotiations for sites in retail shopping centers throughout North Carolina
- Representation of a manufacturer in a sale-leaseback transaction
Representation of a manufacturer in a sale-leaseback transaction involving a long-term triple net lease associated with a 10+ acre site and related improvements
- Representation of an anchor office tenant
Representation of an anchor office tenant in lease negotiations for premises located in a to-be-constructed building
- Representation of an operating company in a three-party transaction
Representation of an operating company in a three-party transaction, which included a governmental entity, involving a simultaneous land exchange to obtain site for expansion
- Representation of a developer in a multi-parcel assemblage
Representation of a developer in a multi-parcel assemblage for development of a large-scale, multi-tenant shopping center
- Representation of public-private partnership
Representation of public-private partnership in the sale of multiple parcels for economic development purposes
- Representation of international financial institution
Representation of international financial institution in lease negotiations for multiple locations in the southeast
- Representation of convenience store retailer
Representation of convenience store retailer in the acquisition and development, including obtaining land use entitlements, of multiple locations in North Carolina
- Representation of investors
Representation of investors in the acquisition and disposition of multi-family properties with values generally ranging from $20M - $40M
- Representation of an international company
Representation of an international company in the sale of approximately 25,000 acres and related improvements with a value of approximately $240 million
Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.
Please use the print button to print this profile page.