Maynard Nexsen Bolsters Award Winning Commercial Real Estate Team

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Adding experienced Shareholder to the growing Raleigh market

Maynard Nexsen is pleased to announce that Michael “Mike” Thornton has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as a Shareholder in its Real Estate Practice Group.

Mike is a nationally recognized real estate attorney with extensive experience representing owners and developers of mixed-use, office, retail, and multifamily projects. He advises both regional and national clients on the structuring and negotiation of joint ventures, as well as complex financing arrangements involving both debt and equity institutions.  

Prior to joining Maynard Nexsen, Mike served as Co-Chair of his previous firm’s Real Estate group, where he led a team of attorneys and paralegals while maintaining an active commercial real estate practice. In that role, he helped drive the delivery of high-quality legal services and contributed to the group’s strategic growth. He brings that leadership experience and collaborative approach to his practice at Maynard Nexsen.

“Mike is an exceptional addition to our Raleigh office and our national real estate platform,” said Keith Burns, Office Managing Shareholder in Raleigh. “His depth of experience representing sophisticated developers and institutional clients, combined with his leadership background, will further strengthen our ability to serve clients on complex, high-value real estate transactions.”

Mike has represented a wide range of clients, including publicly traded REITs and institutional owners, on matters involving acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, financing, and large-scale development projects. His experience includes structuring joint ventures, advising on mixed-use developments, and supporting significant real estate transactions across multiple asset classes.

He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University and holds an A.B. from the University of North Carolina.

Mike is actively engaged in the real estate and business community, including service with the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Midtown Raleigh Alliance, and the Wake County Real Property Lawyers Association, where he previously served as President. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional.

He has been widely recognized for his work in real estate law, including honors from Chambers USA and Best Lawyers®, and recognition in Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite.