Michelle D. Da Rosa

profile

Practice Areas

  • Real Estate Law
  • Condominium Development
  • Natural Resources
  • Renewable Energy
  • Association Law

Professional Honors and Activities

  • US News Best Lawyers nomination, 2019-2022
  • Oregon Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, 2011-2017
  • Member, Real Estate, Land Use and Environmental section, Oregon State Bar
  • Member, American Bar Association, Real Estate and Affordable Housing sections

Representative Work

  • Represents commercial and residential developers in condominium, timeshare and subdivision project development; affordable housing projects and financing; FHA and Fannie Mae financing; seller financing (RESPA and TILA); and matters related to the Interstate Land Sales Act and federal Fair Housing Act compliance. 
  • Represents developers and banks in the recovery of failed residential developments, including governing and marketing document revision and filings, auctions and developer/declarant transitions in workouts, foreclosures and receiverships.
  • Represents major renewable energy developers in site-procurement and disposition transactions, due diligence and financing, negotiation of site control instruments, and title work.
  • Represents timber and other private land owners in cell-tower leasing.
  • Acted as local borrower's counsel in preparing loan opinion for a $160,000,000 line of credit, and for restructuring a distressed FHA-backed loan package for over $30,000,000 for a senior apartment and assisted living condominium project.
  • Represented wind energy developer in the sale of a $96,000,000 project in connection with complex title insurance issues and curative actions, landowner estoppels, subordinations and leases.
  • Represents developer in the establishment, sale and 1031 exchange of corporate airpark condominium hangar units, including build-to-suit, ground and hangar leases, easements, and unit sales.
  • Acts as general counsel to some of the largest master homeowner's and resort associations in Oregon.
  • Represents affordable housing developer in creating mixed-use condominium, involving retail space and affordable rental apartments.

Publications

  • "Survey, Boundary, and Legal Descriptions," 1 Oregon Real Estate Deskbook (OSB Legal Pubs 2015) 
  • "Timeshares" (coauthor, Howard Feuerstein) 1 Oregon Real Estate Deskbook (OSB Legal Pubs 2015)
  • "Cheap Lots Offer Opportunities for Careful Home Developers" (coauthor, Howard Feuerstein), Portland Business Journal, October 28, 2011
  • "Unsold Condos:  Converting to Apartments Takes Some Savvy" (coauthor, Howard Feuerstein), Portland Business Journal, May 23, 2008
  • "When Are Affordable Housing Exactions an Unconstitutional Taking?", Willamette Law Review, 2007, republished in Thomson's 2008 Zoning and Planning Law Handbook
  • "The Scramble to Protect the American Dream in Paradise:  Is Affordable Housing Possible in Hawaii?" (coauthor, A. Bernard Bays), Hawaii Bar Journal, 2007

Civic Activities

  • Board of Directors, Oregon Lakes Association, 2008-2014
  • Secretary/co-founder, Board of Directors, Hands in Peace, international peace-building through sport and art, 2005-present
  • Board of Directors, Habitat for Humanity Portland Metro/East 2012 to present, Committee Member HopeBuilder Fundraising Cabinet, 2011-2013
  • Street Law Executive Director, 2006-2007

Former Professional Experience

  • Associate, Stoel Rives, LLP, 2007-2014
  • Class Teacher, grades 1-8; junior high P.E. and Spanish; high school civics, algebra and drama; and school administration, teacher training and evaluation:  Monterey Waldorf School, Santa Cruz Waldorf School and Portland Waldorf School, 1991-2004

Bar Admissions

  • Oregon, 2007

Education

  • Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Oregon
    • J.D. - 2007
    • Honors: magna cum laude
  • University of California, Santa Cruz, California
    • B.A.