Jennifer Understahl
Jennifer Understahl

Jennifer Understahl

Partner, Practice Head, Real Estate (US)

Phoenix

Introduction

Jennifer leads multidisciplinary teams in planning and fulfilling complex real estate programs, from global headquarters relocations and multisite expansions to large-scale acquisitions and dispositions.

Jennifer Understahl advises major corporations on real estate matters that align their property portfolios with long-term business strategies. Jennifer is frequently entrusted as lead outside counsel for enterprise-wide real estate portfolios, coordinating transactions across jurisdictions to support clients’ growth, operational needs, and risk management goals. She brings a strategic perspective that ensures each deal—whether a critical lease, financing, development project, or portfolio initiative—advances the client’s broader objectives.

Jennifer’s practice spans the full life cycle of commercial real estate assets. She negotiates major corporate leases, including offices, retail, research and development, and mission-critical industrial facilities, and guides headquarters and campus development projects in the United States and abroad. She also advises on real estate finance and restructuring, representing both lenders and borrowers in complex loan transactions and workouts. Her experience includes loan modifications, workouts, and restructurings involving multimillion-dollar property refinancings and nine-figure commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) special servicer loan workouts.

Jennifer also focuses on innovation and efficiency in the delivery of real estate legal services. She has led the development of improved deal documentation templates and process enhancements to streamline transactions for large clients, helping them scale their real estate operations while managing risk. She also counsels clients on emerging real estate trends, including the integrating of electric vehicle (EV) charging networks into commercial sites and the expansion of e-commerce businesses into physical retail locations.

In addition to client work, Jennifer contributes significantly to firm leadership and the broader real estate community. She serves on Ashurst Perkins Coie’s Partner Compensation Committee and Strategic Diversity Committee. She is also active in industry organizations, including the Urban Land Institute, where she sits on the Arizona ULI Trends Day board, and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Through these roles, Jennifer supports industry best practices, promotes diversity, and builds innovation in the real estate sector.

Real estate portfolio leadership and strategic counsel

Serves as lead outside real estate counsel for several major corporate clients with extensive real estate portfolios. She oversees multistate and international transactions supporting enterprise-level portfolio growth, coordinating cross-functional teams and local counsel. She has guided a global technology company’s expansion of offices and new headquarters campuses across the United States and Europe; managed nationwide site acquisitions and sale-leasebacks for industrial manufacturing clients (e.g., a wind turbine manufacturer’s multisite sale and leaseback of industrial facilities and a large automotive company’s R&D and testing facilities deals across multiple states); and advised a national healthcare services provider on leases and property management for more than 350 clinic locations around the country.

Complex leasing and headquarters projects

Negotiates high-value leasing transactions and complex corporate facilities deals. These include a 1,000,000 sq. ft. distribution center lease on a 99-acre site in Pennsylvania for Starbucks Corporation, a 260,000 sq. ft. multiuse office and research campus lease in Florida for a technology client, and various headquarters and major campus leases domestically and abroad (such as supporting the development of new international headquarters facilities for a rapidly growing tech company). Jennifer’s leasing work often involves sophisticated terms like multimillion-dollar security instruments and specialized operational requirements.

Real estate financings and workouts

Advises on commercial real estate finance from origination to restructuring, representing both lenders and borrowers. As outside counsel to national lenders, she has handled loan originations and secured financings in jurisdictions from Arizona and California to Florida and New York. She also represents borrowers—for example, negotiating refinancings of significant office developments (including a more than $28 million office complex refinancing in Illinois). Jennifer’s restructuring experience includes counseling some of the country’s largest CMBS special servicers in resolving distressed real estate loans—modifying and restructuring loans up to approximately $130 million on major retail centers and office complexes nationwide, handling A/B note splits, discounted payoffs, and foreclosure matters.

Development and joint ventures

Handles complex acquisitions, developments, and joint venture structures in commercial real estate. Representations include joint venture partners in the $64 million acquisition and development of an office and hotel complex in Virginia, addressing capital structuring, tenant lease negotiations, and construction-related risk allocations. Jennifer also advised an international development company on a major Arizona condominium project, from raw land acquisition through construction and sale of a high-rise condominium building. Additionally, she has counseled private equity investors on mixed-use development ventures, such as office and senior housing projects with complex easements and reciprocal agreements between phases.

Emerging and strategic real estate uses

Helps clients adapt to evolving market trends and new asset classes. Jennifer advises companies deploying electric vehicle (EV) charging station networks and incorporating other new infrastructure into their real estate footprint. She also guides retail innovators in transitioning from online-only operations to brick-and-mortar locations, addressing leasing and operational issues that arise as e-commerce retailers establish a physical presence. 

 

Education & credentials

  • Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., Order of the Coif, Articles Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review, 2005
  • Arizona State University, M.F.A., Poetry, 2000
  • University of Evansville, B.F.A., English, cum laude, 1995
  • Perkins Coie Brown & Bain P.A., Phoenix, AZ, Summer Associate, 2004

Professional recognition

  • Listed in Chambers USA as "America's Leading Lawyer" for Real Estate and Real Estate: Finance, 2023-2026

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Real Estate Law, 2023-2026

  • Recognized by Arizona Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star," 2014, 2015

  • Recognized by Arizona Super Lawyers as a "Southwest Super Lawyer," 2016

Impact

  • Urban Land Institute (full member): Trends Day Committee (AZ District Council), Member (invitation only) Urban Plan Outreach Program (AZ District Council), Volunteer Women’s Leadership Initiative (AZ District Council), Member and Mentor (invitation only) Responsible Property Investment Council (ULI national) (invitation only)
  • United States Tennis Association, Central Arizona USTA League Grievance Committee, Member
  • Arizona Women Lawyers Association
  • Georgetown University Law Center’s Advanced Commercial Leasing Institute, Invitee, 2017-2021
Wind-Turbine Manufacturer Site Sale and Acquisitions

Lead outside real estate counsel for large wind turbine manufacturer for various real estate matters across the U.S., including a sale and leaseback of industrial property including rail access issues in Colorado, and a transaction involving an option to purchase a large manufacturing and storage site joined by leased real property giving transportation access, providing strategic advise as to structure of transaction, negotiation of documents, oversight of associate team, and coordination on environmental remediation issues.

Multi-State Self-Storage Portfolio Sale

Lead outside real estate counsel for the sale of a portfolio of 16 self-storage properties located in various jurisdictions for a sale price of $150, 000,000.  Led negotiation of purchase agreement and related transaction documents, advised as to joint venture issues, negotiation loan modification and releases, oversaw team of associates on all due diligence and closing matters.

Representation of a Large Automotive Company in Transactions for Several Sites Nationally

Outside counsel for large automotive company with respect to real estate matters for several sites nationally, including the negotiation of a purchase and sale agreement for an industrial building, research and development and office space leases, and ongoing matters for a testing facility.

Representation of Large Tech Company in its Office and Headquarter Leasing in the US and Internationally

Lead outside real estate counsel for large technology client which is rapidly expanding its leasing and all other real estate needs for both its U.S. and European headquarters properties, several large campus locations (including the acquisition an development of a new headquarters campus internationally), and many domestic and international office locations (more than 50 locations).

Distribution Facility Lease Negotiation in Pennsylvania

Represented Starbucks Corporation in its lease of a 1,000,000 square foot distribution facility on 99 acres. The representation included negotiating the lease, strategizing with the client regarding potential risks and liabilities, due diligence review, and the negotiation of exit strategies.

Office and Research Development Facility Lease in California

Represented a national technology company for the lease of an approximately 62,000 square foot facility for use as its prime research facility on the West Coast. The negotiations included a multimillion-dollar letter of credit and specialized confidentiality agreements.

Outside Counsel to National Lender

Outside counsel to improved commercial property lender for various loan originations in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, California, and Nevada.

Represented Borrower in Refinancing of Large Office Complex in Evanston, Illinois

Represented private equity company in its refinancing of a large office complex in Evanston, Illinois (over $28 million). Previously represented the same company for the acquisition and sale of a related development parcel.

Representation of Retailer in Leases Nationally

Represent Outdoor Voices in the negotiation of its retail leases in shopping malls, stand-alone buildings in art districts, downtown areas, and other high-end shopping venues across the country, including in Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota, Texas, Washington D.C., Illinois, California, Georgia, and Colorado.

Representation of Office Landlord in New Development in Downtown Nashville, TN

Represent developer/owner of a large office and mixed-use project in Nashville in all leasing activities for the new project.

Representation of Medical Imaging Company in Leases Nationally

Represent Radnet, Inc. in the negotiation and day-to-day needs for its leases nationally (has over 350 locations), including in California, Arizona, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

Sale of Commercial Properties in Indiana and Texas to a Single Buyer

Represented a boutique real estate investment and development company in the sale of two office buildings, one in Indiana and one in Texas, for $24 million dollars. Jennifer handled all aspects of the negotiation of the purchase documents, coordination of closing and the documentation of all other aspects of the sale. The matter also involved due diligence issues for various jurisdictions, joint venture and partnership issues, and advice with respect to organizational consents; review of issues with respect to government-leased property (Texas site); and the coordination of property management information for the properties.

Acquisition and Financing of an Office Complex in Maryland

Represented a national real estate investment company as the purchaser of a fully leased 133,900 square foot professional office complex located in Baltimore County, MD., comprising four major buildings leased by major tenants, including university and biotech tenants. Jennifer led the purchase and sale negotiation and documentation, financing negotiations, due diligence review (including covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) review and negotiations and survey review), organizational and investment structuring, and review of transition and closing issues.

Loan Acquisition, Financing, and Foreclosure of a Nonperforming Loan for Office Building in California

Represented a joint venture in its acquisition of a nonperforming loan secured by an approximately 62,000 square foot financial center in California. Advised on loan purchase issues, negotiated loan documents, and assisted in the foreclosure of the property for the client.

Office Leases for Client Operations in California, Florida, Texas, and Other Locations

Represented a technology client in lease negotiations and related documents and amendments for its offices in (1) Texas, which space consists of approximately 13,000 square feet, plus rights to lease additional space; (2) Southern California, which space consists of approximately 27,000 of square feet of general office and production use; (3) Florida, which space consists of approximately 260,000 square feet of general office, research, manufacturing, lab, and other uses; and (4) other locations across the country and internationally.

Lease of a Refrigerated Distribution Facility in Maryland

Represented a large corporate client in lease negotiations and due diligence review for its lease of an approximately 129,000 square foot distribution facility in Maryland. Jennifer’s work included coordinating with the contractors with respect to design-build issues in the lease as well as coordinating with the client’s internal property and risk management team.

Acquisition of an Office/Hotel Complex With Joint Venture Partner

Represented a private equity company in its negotiation of a purchase and sale agreement, due diligence, and title review for an under-construction office and hotel complex in Richmond, VA (approx. $64,000,000). Also worked on joint venture issues between the client and its joint venture partner in association with the acquisition, including negotiating asset management agreement. Negotiated with current and future tenants on leasing and tenant improvement issues for same, and worked with the title company and seller regarding indemnification issues for mechanic’s liens and other ongoing construction-related issues.

Representation of International Condo Developer With Respect to Financing, Development, and Sale of a Condominium Building in Arizona

Represented Chilean developer in its acquisition of raw land, development, construction financing, and permanent financing for a condominium building and related development in Phoenix, AZ.

Representation of Private Equity Investor/Developer for Office and Joint Venture Development in Illinois

Represented private equity group in its acquisition of an office complex in Evanston, Illinois together with a later joint development project of neighboring raw land which is planned for a senior living facility. Worked on due diligence issues, parking garage licenses, joint venture negotiations and new easements and CC&Rs between the two properties.

Foreclosure of and Real Estate Owned (REO) Representation for a Shopping Center in Nevada

Represented the foreclosing noteholder in the acquisition of a shopping center in Las Vegas, NV and then the continued REO matters with respect to various tenant leases and brokerage and management agreements for the center, including fast food stand-alones, national chain restaurants and other retail leases and amendments.

Sample CMBS Workout Experience
  • Represented CMBS noteholder, by and through special servicer, in the payoff of an approximately $15 million dollar A/B loan in Merced, CA.
  • Represented CMBS noteholders, by and through special servicers, in lease negotiations for REO owned malls in New York, New Jersey, and California.
  • Represented CMBS noteholder, by and through special servicer, in modification of a $40 million loan secured by an office complex in Emeryville, CA.
  • Represented CMBS noteholder, by and through special servicer, in modification of a $20 million loan secured by a shopping center in Salinas, CA.
  • Represented CMBS noteholder, by and through special servicer, in modification of a $132.5 million loan secured by a shopping destination in Belmar, CO.
  • Represented CMBS noteholder, by and through special servicer, in discounted payoff of a $55 million loan secured by a town center in Santa Ana, CA.
  • Represented CMBS noteholder, by and through special servicer, in modification of a $12.1 million loan secured by a corporate center in Phoenix, AZ.
  • Represented CMBS noteholder, by and through special servicer, in an A/B note split of a $22 million loan secured by a shopping center in Merced, CA.
  • Represented CMBS noteholder, by and through special servicer, in modification/extension of a$20 million loan secured by a shopping center in Las Vegas, NV.
  • Represented CMBS noteholder, by and through special servicer, in the modification and extension of a $24 million loan secured by a shopping center in Wappinger Falls, NY.