Christopher Azuoma, Associate
When you give up, it means you never wanted it.
Christopher is an Associate in the firm’s Real Estate Practice, where he represents developers, investors, lenders, landlords, and tenants in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions. His practice focuses on complex transactions involving acquisitions, leasing, affordable housing, community development, and institutional financing.
Chris assists clients throughout the full life cycle of a transaction. He has extensive experience preparing and reviewing a broad range of key real estate and transaction documents such as deeds, loan documents, purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, and joint venture agreements. Chris works closely with clients and deal parties to efficiently advance transactions and resolve issues that arise during the closing process.
In addition, Chris has experience working on community development projects involving Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC). In these matters, he assisted developers, lenders, and investors with drafting and negotiating partnership/operating agreements, regulatory agreements, and financing documents, as well as coordinating with lenders, tax counsel, and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with program requirements.
Chris was recognized as one of the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 African American Lawyers in Washington, DC in 2022.
Representative Matters
- Represented national commercial bank investing approximately $7,047,458 in connection with financing the construction, development, and operation of a renewable diesel facility.
- Represented national commercial bank investing approximately $5,748,979 in connection with financing the construction of a 42,500 square foot food bank and educational outreach facility.
- Represented national commercial bank investing approximately $5,244,310 in connection with financing the construction of a new family housing and domestic violence shelter.
- Represented a qualified community development entity (CDE) in making a loan to finance a manufacturer’s acquisition of equipment for its snack production facility in Perry, Florida.
- Represented CDE making a loan in the approximate amount of $5,150,000 to finance a businesses’ expenditures in connection with commercial printing, label manufacturing and paper sales.
- Represented an affordable housing developer leveraging Low-Income Housing Tax Credits in connection with the development of an affordable multifamily apartment complex.
- Represented national commercial bank investing approximately $7,394,400 to finance the development and construction of a grocery production and warehousing facility for distribution to retail locations.
- Represented national commercial bank investing approximately $2,265,900 to finance the acquisition and renovation of a facility expanding mental health and wellness programming for abused and neglected children.
- Represented commercial landlord leasing space in an in-door mall to a tenant using the space to operate a nail salon.
- Represented farmer leasing space on his farm to a solar power company using the space to install solar panels for its business.
- Represented restaurant owner leasing space located in a strip mall from a commercial landlord to operate a seafood restaurant.
- Represented physician leasing space located in a commercial building from a commercial landlord using the space to operate a therapy office.
- Represented national developer purchasing land from a landowner for the purpose of developing rental housing complexes.
Teams
Education
J.D.,
Howard University School of Law,
2018
B.A.,
Political Science,
Dean's List,
University of Southern California,
2015
Bar Admissions
Maryland,
2018