Opportunity Zones and Impact Investments Team

Robinson+Cole’s Opportunity Zones and Impact Investments Team is a cross-disciplinary group of experienced lawyers from our tax, real estate, corporate, securities, fund formation, and tax-exempt practice areas. We regularly advise investors, developers, fund managers, municipalities, non-profits and businesses on how best to navigate and realize the benefits of the federal Opportunity Zone program and other investment tax incentives. Our clients’ projects have encompassed a broad range of activities and development areas, including real estate, clean energy, affordable housing, economic development and community renewal, charter school finance, low interest lending programs, New Markets Tax Credits and Community Reinvestment Act compliance.

We collaborate with clients to develop new solutions while advising on a range of Opportunity Zone investments and social impact initiatives, including:

  • Establishing innovative investment structures, such as social impact bonds and other capital market solutions;
  • Analyzing and applying Internal Revenue Code eligibility requirements, exemptions and compliance regulations;
  • Establishing and certifying qualified opportunity funds (QOF);
  • Structuring, negotiating and documenting corporate, partnership or limited liability company organizational documents for QOFs; and
  • Structuring, negotiating and documenting acquisitions and developments within QOZs.

Robinson+Cole remains a thought leader and key advisor on these important new investment strategies. We are committed to making a difference in the community through the support of these social enterprises and community development-based ventures.

    • News
      • July 17, 2019

        Michele Maresca Moderates Program on Opportunity Zones at ICSC Deal Making Conference in Boston

        • » more info

          Michele Maresca Moderates Program on Opportunity Zones at ICSC Deal Making Conference in Boston

          Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Michele Maresca moderated the program "Opportunity Zones: The Many Perspectives on the Land of OZ" at the  2019 New England Conference and Deal Making, which was presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) in Boston, MA from July 15-17, 2019. The panel discussion addressed key questions from the perspectives of a developer, real estate investor, and local municipality, including:
          •  What are Opportunity Zones? 
          •  How did they come to be? 
          •  Where are they? 
          •  How do they work, and 
          •  What are the issues surrounding them? 

          The conference provided opportunities to connect, learn and road test ideas with other professionals, gain information about the most current industry issues, and meet and make deals with colleagues and retailers doing business in the same region. Michele is part of the ICSC's State Volunteer Leadership in Connecticut and a member of the 2019 Program Planning Committee. Robinson+Cole was a member-hosted Reception sponsor.
           

    • Publications + Presentations
    • "Connecticut: The Land of Opportunity (Zones)," co-presented by Michael J. Kearney Jr. and Michele L. Maresca, at the "From Soil to Solar: Land Law Development Forum" (3/11/2020)
      • » more info

        • Connecticut: The Land of Opportunity (Zones)

        "Connecticut: The Land of Opportunity (Zones)," co-presented by Michael J. Kearney Jr. and Michele L. Maresca, at the "From Soil to Solar: Land Law Development Forum" (3/11/2020)

        Opportunity Zones and Impact Investments Team lawyers Michael Kearney and Michele Maresca presented the program “Connecticut: The Land of Opportunity (Zones)” at the second 2020 “From Soil to Solar: Land Law Development Forum” at the firm’s Hartford office on March 11, 2020. They addressed the potential federal tax benefits available to Opportunity Zone investors and an overview of Qualified Opportunity Fund investment vehicles, including fund structuring and on-going IRS compliance matters.

        Glendowlyn Thames, Deputy Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, discussed the additional benefits offered by state and local  Connecticut government for properties and communities located within Opportunity Zones. She also provided an overview of the state's plan to work with private investors and developers to generate economic growth in those areas. Jonathan Ewert, CEO of CapZone Analytics, examined the potential federal and state tax-incentivized economic returns to Opportunity Zone investors and development and job growth opportunities within these designated areas. View a photo of the speakers on the firm’s LinkedIn page.


      "Opportunity Zone Update - Understand it Benefits and Complexities," co-presented by Michael J. Kearney Jr., Jerome L. Garciano and Brian M. Flaherty, the final From Soil to Solar:Land Law Development Forum. (11/14/2019)
      • » more info

        • Opportunity Zone Update - Understand it Benefits and Complexities

        "Opportunity Zone Update - Understand it Benefits and Complexities," co-presented by Michael J. Kearney Jr., Jerome L. Garciano and Brian M. Flaherty, the final From Soil to Solar:Land Law Development Forum. (11/14/2019)

        Brian Flaherty, Jerome Garciano and Michael Kearney, members of Robinson+Cole’s Opportunity Zone and Impact Investment Practice Team, shared their insights on the latest round of proposed IRS regulations and key lessons learned from recent Opportunity Zone investment deals closed by Robinson+Cole in the program “Opportunity Zone Update - Understand its Benefits and Complexities,” the final From Soil to Solar: Land Law Development Forum in a webinar on November 13, followed by an in-person presentation on November 14, 2019. 


        The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created Opportunity Zones to spur economic development and job creation in certain economically distressed communities by offering tax incentives for private capital investment in real estate and businesses located in those communities. Investors and real estate developers looking to take advantage of these valuable tax benefits offered by the Opportunity Zone program need to understand its rules and complexities. 


      "Opportunity Zones: The Many Perspectives on the Land of OZ," presented by Michele L. Maresca, moderated by Michele Maresca at the 2019 New England Conference and Deal Making in Boston, MA. (7/15/2019)
      • » more info

        • Opportunity Zones: The Many Perspectives on the Land of OZ

        "Opportunity Zones: The Many Perspectives on the Land of OZ," presented by Michele L. Maresca, moderated by Michele Maresca at the 2019 New England Conference and Deal Making in Boston, MA. (7/15/2019)

        Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Michele Maresca moderated the program "Opportunity Zones: The Many Perspectives on the Land of OZ" at the 2019 New England Conference and Deal Making, which was presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) in Boston, MA from July 15-17, 2019. The panel discussion addressed key questions from the perspectives of a developer, real estate investor, and local municipality, including:

        • What are Opportunity Zones?
        • How did they come to be?
        • Where are they?
        • How do they work, and
        • What are the issues surrounding them?

        The conference provided opportunities to connect, learn and road test ideas with other professionals, gain information about the most current industry issues, and meet and make deals with colleagues and retailers doing business in the same region. Michele is part of the ICSC's State Volunteer Leadership in Connecticut and a member of the 2019 Program Planning Committee. Robinson+Cole was a member-hosted Reception sponsor.


      "Deferring Capital Gains Taxes – Opportunity Zone Investments" authored by Michael J. Kearney Jr. (10/31/2018)

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