ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thompson Hine LLP is pleased to announce that Stephen B. Schrock has joined the firm as a partner and Christine N. Schneider has joined as senior counsel in the Real Estate practice group. Schrock and Schneider worked together for over 10 years at Powell Goldstein LLP, where Schrock was chair of the Real Estate group. They join from Morris Manning & Martin LLP and Bryan Cave LLP, respectively. In the past 18 months Thompson Hine has added six experienced lawyers, including four partners, to its Atlanta office.
“We are excited to welcome Steve and Chris to our Atlanta office,” said Russell J. Rogers, office partner-in-charge. “Their considerable experience and skills will benefit our clients greatly and will complement and significantly strengthen our real estate practice in the southeastern United States. Both Steve and Chris are well-regarded in real estate circles, and we are thrilled that they are joining us.”
Schrock has broad experience in handling all types of traditional commercial real estate transactions. He has represented developers, financial institutions and investors in all phases of commercial real estate transactions, including financing, acquisitions, dispositions, lending, leasing and development of hotels, office, apartments, condominiums, industrial, land and retail properties. Schrock’s practice focuses primarily on representing investors, owners, managers and financial institution lenders in complex timberland transactions throughout the United States, South America and other countries. In addition, he recently has been heavily involved in the woody biomass energy industry, representing suppliers of woody feedstock and also the operators and project developers of biomass energy facilities that produce pellets as a fuel source for electric power plants worldwide that are converting from coal to alternative fuel sources. His role in these energy projects includes advising clients on site selection; fiber supply agreements; purchase and sale of timberland assets; railroad, trucking and shipping transportation logistics; EPC contracts; port terminal agreements; and “off take” agreements with end user utilities. He has been recognized by Legal 500 and Super Lawyers.
Schneider has more than 20 years’ experience in real estate transactions and lending. Most recently, her practice has involved representing real estate developers, industrial property tenants and borrowers.
Regarding his decision to join the firm, Schrock stated, “I was attracted to Thompson Hine’s growing Atlanta office and the strength of its national real estate practice, which is extremely well-regarded in the marketplace. In addition, I found the firm’s commitment to client value and its SmartPaTHSM program particularly attractive, and the firm’s dedication to truly understanding what is important to its clients unique and refreshing.”
The latest additions continue a strategic lateral hiring trend in Thompson Hine’s Atlanta office, which recently has welcomed Gregory D. Chafee, Roy E. Hadley, Jr., Michael Victor Coleman, Tara N. Evans and Aaron Watson in the Corporate practice; Peter D. Coffman and John L. Watkins in the Litigation practice; and Rocky Horde in the Real Estate practice.
About Thompson Hine LLP. Thompson Hine LLP, established in 1911, is a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 7 offices. Thompson Hine is ranked as one of the top 5 firms in the country for overall Client Service Excellence and one of the top 4 firms for “Value for the Dollar” and “Commitment to Help” in an independent survey of over 300 in-house counsel. For the second straight year, the firm is ranked in all categories of Service Delivery Innovation, and is one of only 7 U.S. firms noted for “making changes to improve the client experience,” in the BTI Brand Elite. The firm’s commitment to innovation is exemplified by Thompson Hine SmartPaTHSM, which offers a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. Key components of SmartPaTH include Legal Project Management, Value-Based Pricing, Flexible Staffing and Process Efficiency. Rated a leading law firm in Chambers USA for 12 consecutive years, Thompson Hine serves premier businesses worldwide. For more information, please visit www.ThompsonHine.com and read about SmartPaTH at http://www.ThompsonHine.com/about/SmartPaTH.
