Norm focuses his practice on commercial real estate matters, particularly commercial leasing, commercial development, acquisitions and divestitures, property acquisitions and real estate financing. His practice is national in scope, often representing national chains and franchisees.
He began his practice with Benesch in 1971 and became a partner in 1979. During his career, Norm has served in multiple leadership roles such as being on Benesch's Management Committee and Chair of Benesch's Real Estate Practice Group, among others.
Norm is an active Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) and is a current member of its Leasing Committee, Insurance Committee, Innovation and Practice Committee, Acquisitions Committee, and Senior Counselors Working Group. He is a past member of ACREL's Board of Governors, as well as a past member and past Secretary of its Executive Committee. Norm is the former Chair of ACREL’s Leasing Committee and the former Co-Chair of its Innovation and Practice Committee. Norm also is a member of the Real Estate Sections of the American and Ohio State Bar Associations. Since 1987, Mr. Gutmacher has been an active member of the Michigan and Northern Ohio Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has previously served as an officer and director in the organization.
Representative Experience
- Advised an energy company in the lease of real estate for the construction of a manufacturing facility anticipated to cost over $200 million.
- Advised multiple borrowers in negotiating new loans and loan refinancings.
- Negotiated the sale-leaseback of an 180,000 square foot office/warehouse facility.
- Served as local counsel to borrowers and lenders regarding Ohio loans.
- Advised clients on purchase and sale of shopping centers and commercial buildings ranging in size from $1 million to $30 million.
- Advised a large multinational public company on multi-state property acquisitions and divestitures, bringing in local counsel, as appropriate, to ascertain local laws and customs.
- Negotiated leases for national tenants for retail, restaurant, office and industrial uses in both free standing and in-line projects.
- Negotiated leases for real estate developers with "big box" tenants, national chains, and local and small tenants.
- Advised a public company on the sale of more than $100 million in assets.
- Advised a non-profit company in the $20 million expansion and renovation of its facilities, including negotiating architectural and construction contracts, bond financing and related matters.
