Published by Gbaf News
Posted on March 7, 2018
6 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Seyfarth Shaw LLP announced today the arrival of partner Michael D. Rechtin, Jr. to the Real Estate department in Chicago where he will chair the firm’s Data Center practice group. Rechtin joins from Baker & McKenzie LLP where he was a partner in Chicago.
With more than 25 years of commercial real estate law experience, Rechtin’s practice focuses on data center transactions and leasing, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, build-to-suit transactions, financings, and development. He advises clients on all agreements connected with data center transactions, including vendor agreements, indefeasible right of use (IRU) agreements, service level agreements (SLA), telco and fiber licenses (long haul and last mile), tax abatement and exemption agreements, service orders, master service agreements (MSA), and meet-me-room-related agreements (MMR).
“Mike has established himself as one of the foremost experts in international data center law, a significant growth area in the real estate market,” said Paul Mattingly, chair of Seyfarth’s Real Estate department. “He understands the complex technical and operational issues in the data center sector and can help clients navigate the unique concerns and technology involved in these types of transactions. He is an exceptional addition to our national real estate practice.”
With additional experience in corporate headquarters, office and industrial leasing, Rechtin’s clients have included Fortune 500 companies, large broadcasting and cable companies, commercial developers, local and national life insurance companies, REITs, real estate entrepreneurs, and professional services firms. He also regularly handles sales, acquisitions and mortgage financings for investment advisory groups, real estate entrepreneurs and pension funds.
“We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Mike in Chicago. His outstanding background in the ever-changing industry of data centers instantly enhances the capabilities of our real estate practice group,” said Amanda Sonneborn, co-managing partner of Seyfarth’s Chicago office.
One of the leading national experts on data center transactions, Rechtin currently serves as an adjunct professor at the Northwestern University Graduate School of Engineering as well as a Secretary and Board of Directors Member for North Branch Works. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Law School and earned his B.S. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“Mike is a very accomplished real estate lawyer here in the Midwest and is well-known for his data center transactional work. He adds strength to our local practice and will serve our clients remarkably on the firm’s national platform,” said Cory Hirsch, co-managing partner of Seyfarth’s Chicago office.
Seyfarth’s Data Center practice group is comprised of attorneys who handle the complex, technical and operational issues surrounding data centers. In this quickly evolving space, Seyfarth represents owners, investors and occupants of data centers in a broad range of matters, including the development, leasing/licensing, financing, purchase or sale of a data center or colocation facility. With practice depth in real estate, technology, finance, energy and data security, the team provides clients with a holistic approach to all data center transactions.
With more than 130 real estate lawyers across the country, Seyfarth has one of the largest real estate practices in the United States. Both national and local in scope, Seyfarth provides a full range of services including development, construction, leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, financing and joint ventures.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP announced today the arrival of partner Michael D. Rechtin, Jr. to the Real Estate department in Chicago where he will chair the firm’s Data Center practice group. Rechtin joins from Baker & McKenzie LLP where he was a partner in Chicago.
With more than 25 years of commercial real estate law experience, Rechtin’s practice focuses on data center transactions and leasing, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, build-to-suit transactions, financings, and development. He advises clients on all agreements connected with data center transactions, including vendor agreements, indefeasible right of use (IRU) agreements, service level agreements (SLA), telco and fiber licenses (long haul and last mile), tax abatement and exemption agreements, service orders, master service agreements (MSA), and meet-me-room-related agreements (MMR).
“Mike has established himself as one of the foremost experts in international data center law, a significant growth area in the real estate market,” said Paul Mattingly, chair of Seyfarth’s Real Estate department. “He understands the complex technical and operational issues in the data center sector and can help clients navigate the unique concerns and technology involved in these types of transactions. He is an exceptional addition to our national real estate practice.”
With additional experience in corporate headquarters, office and industrial leasing, Rechtin’s clients have included Fortune 500 companies, large broadcasting and cable companies, commercial developers, local and national life insurance companies, REITs, real estate entrepreneurs, and professional services firms. He also regularly handles sales, acquisitions and mortgage financings for investment advisory groups, real estate entrepreneurs and pension funds.
“We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Mike in Chicago. His outstanding background in the ever-changing industry of data centers instantly enhances the capabilities of our real estate practice group,” said Amanda Sonneborn, co-managing partner of Seyfarth’s Chicago office.
One of the leading national experts on data center transactions, Rechtin currently serves as an adjunct professor at the Northwestern University Graduate School of Engineering as well as a Secretary and Board of Directors Member for North Branch Works. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Law School and earned his B.S. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“Mike is a very accomplished real estate lawyer here in the Midwest and is well-known for his data center transactional work. He adds strength to our local practice and will serve our clients remarkably on the firm’s national platform,” said Cory Hirsch, co-managing partner of Seyfarth’s Chicago office.
Seyfarth’s Data Center practice group is comprised of attorneys who handle the complex, technical and operational issues surrounding data centers. In this quickly evolving space, Seyfarth represents owners, investors and occupants of data centers in a broad range of matters, including the development, leasing/licensing, financing, purchase or sale of a data center or colocation facility. With practice depth in real estate, technology, finance, energy and data security, the team provides clients with a holistic approach to all data center transactions.
With more than 130 real estate lawyers across the country, Seyfarth has one of the largest real estate practices in the United States. Both national and local in scope, Seyfarth provides a full range of services including development, construction, leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, financing and joint ventures.
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