Mike Ascher is an experienced transactional attorney with expertise in all aspects of real estate law, including acquisitions, leasing, development and financing, across all asset classes. Mike also advises individuals and small and medium sized corporations with respect to general corporate matters, including contract negotiations, asset purchases and dispositions, labor and employment issues, corporate formation and structure, and collection.

Prior to joining Carlson Partners, Ltd., Mike was Senior Vice President and General Counsel for a real estate investment company, where he coordinated acquisition and financing of retail and industrial properties. In addition, Mike was involved in drafting and launching private placement memoranda for sale of undivided Tennant in Common (TIC) interests in properties with credit-rated tenants, including two portfolios of automobile retail facilities totaling over $200 million. Mike also focused on the portfolio management aspects of the properties, negotiating office and retail leases in various states.

Mike was also Associate General Counsel for national senior independent and assisted living provider Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., where he coordinated acquisitions, developments and financing in the senior living/health care space and provided general corporate advice for the company. During the time that Mike was Associate General Counsel, Brookdale grew from 24 facilities to over 350 facilities and went public. Mike worked closely with C-level executives to prepare the portfolio for a merger and public offering, including restructuring the debt on much of the portfolio and working closely with the risk management department.

Prior to Brookdale, Mike was a Real Estate Associate for Piper, Marbury, Rudnick & Wolfe, LLP (now known as DLA Piper) and Ross & Hardies (now known as McGuireWoods). Mike developed a versatile real estate practice at both firms, working with clients on real estate acquisitions and dispositions, financings (including lending for commercial mortgage backed securities and traditional lending structures), leasing and development.

Mike earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from Duke University, with a concentration in Financial Management, and his law degree from the UCLA School of Law. Mike is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. Mike has served as President of the Grace Episcopal Church Men's Group, and oversaw the 2007 Starfish Ball to benefit St. Gregory Episcopal School for Boys, which supports inner city education. Mike also serves on the Board of the Cotter Club of the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago.