Michael J. Changaris
Partner
Admissions
California
Address
12544 High Bluff Drive, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92130
Office Tel.
760.496.0771
Fax
619.744.5452
Overview
Mike advises clients in corporate and partnership merger and acquisition transactions for public and private companies; negotiation of joint venture relationships involving foreign and domestic corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies; tax-exempt financing transactions and other corporate and business transactions; federal, state, local and international tax planning and structuring for corporations, partnerships, REITs and tax-exempt organizations. Early in his career Mike was an Attorney Advisor to the United States Tax Court.
Joint Ventures
- Implemented pooled investment fund (venture size $400M).
- Negotiated platform joint venture agreement with Principal Enterprise Capital on behalf of co-investor/managers for investment in retail property (venture size of $750M).
- Negotiated platform joint venture agreement with Washington State Investment Board on behalf of co-investor/managers for investment in retail property (venture size of $350M).
- Negotiated platform joint venture agreement with Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investment Funds on behalf of co-investor/managers for management, development and investment in retail property located in the People’s Republic of China and India (venture size of $300M).
- Negotiated platform joint venture agreement with tax-exempt educational institution on behalf of co-investors/manager for investment in retail property; venture structure includes the ownership and operation of a REIT (venture size of $407M).
- Negotiated joint venture agreement with Shea Homes and Buie communities on behalf of mass home builder, for the development of 286 single-family residential lots (venture size $50M).
- Negotiated joint venture agreement on behalf of GMS Realty, LLC for the acquisition of a managing/controlling interest in Seaport Village, San Diego, CA (venture size of $25M).
- Negotiated joint venture agreement of behalf of mass home builder for the acquisition of a 426 acre parcel for home development purposes (venture size of $11M).
- Negotiated joint venture agreement with institutional investor, on behalf of mass home builder, for the development of 92 single family homes (venture size of $10M).
- Negotiated joint venture with investment arm for CALPERS on behalf of mass home builder for the development and sale of 96 single family homes (venture size of $10M).
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Large Mexico-based discount retail store chain in acquisition of another discount retail store chain valued at $500M.
- Publically traded defense contractor in acquisition of technology company valued at $25M.
- Publicly traded automobile manufacturer in numerous acquisitions of dealerships throughout the Southwest United States valued at $150M.
- Publicly traded biotech company in acquisition of biotech company valued at $25M.
- Aquatic sports company in numerous acquisitions of sporting goods design and manufacturing companies valued at $11M.
- Seller of web-based marketing company to publicly traded buyer in sale valued at $8M.
- Semi-conductor manufacturer in acquisition of Canadian technology company valued at $7M.
- Web-based services company in strategic acquisition valued at $7M.
- Majority owner of Pet Kennel and Grooming operation in buy-out of majority owners valued at $5M.
- Buyer of real estate management company based in the People’s Republic of China valued at $4M.
- Buyer in acquisition of software technology company valued at $3M.
Other Representative Matters
- Obtained more than $200M of tax-exempt financing for health care facilities
- Advised real estate partnerships on structuring tax-free transfers of real estate assets to publicly-traded Real Estate Investment Trusts on a tax-deferred basis through “UPREIT” structures.
- Advise numerous real estate owners in structuring exchanges of real estate assets on a tax-deferred basis, deploying both “straight” and “reverse” exchange techniques (and including the creation of tenancy-in-common relationships to facilitate exchanges).
- Represented corporations and individuals before the Internal Revenue Service, State Board of Equalization and the Franchise Tax Board in tax controversies ranging from $3M to $30M.
Mike Changaris has been a trusted and insightful counselor for me over several decades. Procopio provides my company sharp and valuable advice and services across multiple disciplines including corporate, real estate transactions, real estate finance, securities and employment law. Their range of expertise in these areas enables them to see issues in light of the overall goals and needs of the company. — William Gerrity, Founder and CEO, the Gerrity Group
“After our luxury lodge suffered a catastrophic fire, the payout our insurance company offered us fell far short of covering our losses. I turned to Mike Changaris, one of the attorneys at Procopio, as well as a trusted friend and advisor for me and my family for more than a decade. Procopio and their attorneys delivered. Thanks to the diligent work of Procopio and Alexandra “Sasha” Selfridge, we ended up receiving nearly four times the initial amount offered by the insurance company without even having to file a lawsuit. Procopio’s Insurance Recovery team knows how to ensure their clients receive the maximum coverage with minimum strife.” — Owner, The Lodge
DISCLAIMER: These testimonials or endorsements do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
- Best Lawyers® Tax Law and Real Estate Law, 2023-present
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating
- Top Lawyers, San Diego magazine, 2013-present
- Super Lawyers®, Tax, 2011-2014, 2019-2023
- BNY Mellon M&A Advisor of the Year, 2017
- LLM (Taxation), New York University School of Law
- JD, UC Hastings College of Law
- BA (Economics), University of California, Berkeley
- Co-Author. “Tax Benefits Announced: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748), What Every Individual and Corporate Taxpayer Needs to Know Now,” March 27, 2020.
- Author. “Contract Law,” Carlsbad Business Journal, August 1, 2012.
- Author. “Basic Considerations in Negotiating the Issues Related to the Removal of a Manager of a Joint Venture,” May 2012.
- California State Treasurer’s Office, Past Member of Housing Finance Advisory Committee
- San Diego County Bar Association, Tax Section Past Chairman
- Santa Fe Christian Schools, Past Board Member of Directors
- State of California, Board of Equalization, Past Member of Tax Advisory Group
- The State Bar of California, Business Section, Tax Section
- University of California, San Diego Cancer Center Research Foundation, Past Member of Board of Directors
- La Jolla Community Church, Past Member of Board of Trustees
