Mike Thornton

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 and complex financing arrangements with both debt and equity institutions. Mike approaches each matter with a strategic and analytical perspective shaped by his years of experience. 

Before joining Maynard Nexsen, Mike served as the Co-Chair of his previous firm's Real Estate group. He oversaw a team of attorneys and paralegals helping drive the development and delivery of high-quality legal services in addition to sustaining his own commercial real estate practice. He brings that leadership experience and business‑focused perspective to his practice today. 

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

Community & Professional

• International Council of Shopping Centers, Member & Board of Editors, The Retail Law Strategist (2014-2020)
• Midtown Raleigh Alliance, Executive Committee & Board of Directors
• Wake County Real Property Lawyers Association, (President, 2001)
• LEED Accredited Professional

• Represents publicly traded-REITs and institutional owners of shopping center and mall portfolios on a national basis for acquisitions & dispositions, leasing, and financing matters.
• Represented an owner of 300,000-square-foot office tower in sale and retention of ownership stake through implementation of new joint venture structure.
• Formation of condominium ownership structure for mixed-use retail and residential building in connection with the sale of 409 apartment units.
• Represented a hotel management company in the disposition of a multistate portfolio of twenty hotels valued at over $350 million.
•  Represented a developer of a residential leasehold condominium project within a community of commercial and governmental research facilities located on a state university campus.
• Represented a municipality in connection with the long-term ground leasing of town-owned property to a private developer for mixed use retail and residential development incorporating public open space for art and cultural events.
• Represented developers in successful rezoning cases involving a 179-acre mixed-use development, including retail, office, residential and hotel uses, and a mixed-use in-fill development located on eleven acres.
• Represented a global solid state LED lighting and semiconductor manufacturing company in connection with the real estate aspects of its announced agreement for its $850 million sale of assets to a publicly traded German semiconductor company. The transaction was terminated before completion due to regulatory considerations.

Recognition

• Best Lawyers®, Real Estate Law (2010-2025)
• Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers, Real Estate (2016-2025)
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Real Estate