The Uniform Mortgage Modification Act (UMMA) offers a standardized framework to simplify modification of real estate mortgages in certain situations. By establishing "safe harbor" provisions, the Act delineates specific modifications—such as extending maturity dates, reducing interest rates, and capitalizing unpaid interest—that preserve the priority of the original mortgage and do not constitute a novation. In this podcast, Nancy Little is joined by the Uniform Law Commission Reporter for the Act, Julie Rogers, to summarize its implications for lenders and borrowers and how its adoption can lead to more efficient and cost-effective mortgage modifications.

Cliff McKinney and Joey Lubinski return to the Deep Dirt Dive to discuss the rapid evolution of AI in the legal industry. The episode explores the legal AI landscape and how increasingly sophisticated AI tools have forced a shift from individual lawyers choosing to learn AI tools, to an "arms race" where entire law firms must redesign workflows to remain competitive.

Join Jin Liu, Michael Hirschfeld, and Philip R. Hirschfeld in the latest installment of the Deep Dirt Dive. In this episode, Michael and Philip, both seasoned tax practitioners, discuss the key elements of the Big Beautiful Bill that impact real estate transactions, their intended and unintended consequences, and planning strategies.

Join Jin Liu and Bill Sklar in the latest installment of the Deep Dirt Dive. This episode focuses on the first comprehensive mixed use development statute in the nation that was enacted in Florida and the advice to developers and lenders in evaluating and structuring new mixed-use developments. It also goes further to decipher the public policies behind promoting mixed use development.

Join Cliff McKinney as he delves into the world of generative artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on the real estate legal profession. From understanding the basics of AI to exploring advanced techniques like prompt engineering, this podcast offers valuable insights for lawyers looking to harness the power of AI in their practice. Discover how AI can enhance efficiency, improve legal writing, and revolutionize the way legal services are delivered.

Marijuana leasing presents a series of unusual challenges for the real estate lawyer. How do you handle a business that is selling a substance that is legal under state law, but not federal law? How do you respond to a tenant that wants to pay rent with a grocery bag full of cash since its use of the banking system is severely restricted? What are the unique concerns in a lease involving marijuana and how do you deal with the difference between a wholesale/grower’s leases and a retail lease? Please join ACREL Fellows David Camp and Jack Fersko as they discuss Jack’s experience with representing parties on both sides of these transactions and what he’s learned from writing extensively on this topic.

This episode of The Deep Dirt Dive discusses the various components in a real estate finance third party legal opinion. Discussion includes how third party legal opinions follow a customary style in dealing with the covered documents, assumptions, qualifications, the substantive opinions covered by the opinion, and opinion reliance issues. Also discussed are how customary practice and the various real estate reports influence how opinions are written.

Participating in this episode are ACREL Fellows Scott Willis from Louisiana and Nancy Little from Virginia.

This episode of the Deep Dirt Dive investigates DOGE’s recent efforts to evaluate and restructure the real estate portfolio owned or leased by the GSA, on behalf of Federal agencies, throughout the U.S. The presentation analyzes the significant, ongoing, and evolving efforts of the DOGE team to pare down and reshape the largest single portfolio of owned and leased properties in the country. We explore the initial and prospective results of this DOGE initiative and the issues it raises for attorneys in representing clients whose properties are implicated in potential lease terminations or who might wish to bid on excess Federal properties.

ACREL Fellows David Miller and Andrew Weiner of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP are joined by their partner Michael Rizzo, a Government Contracts & Disputes specialist, as they discuss their insights and personal experience from years of representing clients in this area from their respective bases in New York, Los Angeles and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.