Jonathan A. Frank
Assisting an array of companies and individuals with real estate and commercial matters on a national, regional and local basis, Jonathan Frank focuses his practice on commercial real estate, land development, leasing and finance. He represents developers, investors, businesses, landlords and tenants, including Fortune 500 companies, in all facets of commercial real estate transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, development, financing, leasing and §1031 tax-free exchanges.
Jonathan has extensive experience with major economic development projects, complex mixed-use developments, office parks, shopping centers and residential communities. Further, he devotes a significant portion of his time to the representation of institutional and individual investors in the identification, acquisition, financing, and leasing of net lease, retail, office, industrial and multi-family investment properties.
Jonathan is actively involved on the firm's Economic Development Team (while also serving as General Counsel to the Virginia Economic Developers Association), where he provides real estate services to the firm's economic development clients. He also has an active national leasing practice representing expanding companies in office, industrial and retail leases throughout the United States. In regard to land development, he regularly leads his clients through the entire development cycle negotiating the purchase contract(s) assembling land, financing acquisition and development costs, preparing comprehensive declarations of easements, covenants, conditions and restrictions (ECRs) and other property owner association documents, leasing, outparcel sales and joint venture structuring on over $1 billion in development projects.
Understanding that real estate matters often cross into other practice areas, Jonathan helps his clients identify their legal needs and then find the right lawyers with the right skills within Williams Mullen to assist them with those needs. A skilled project manager, Jonathan oversees all facets of his clients’ matters and transactions, as well as the entire team of professionals involved. His goal is to work toward accomplishing the client’s objectives as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Jonathan has been listed among Virginia's "Legal Elite" by Virginia Business magazine four times, most recently in 2017, and he is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law. He earned his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Richmond School of Law and his Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, from Washington and Lee University.
- University of Richmond School of Law (J.D.)
- cum laude
- McNeill Law Society
- University of Richmond Law Review
- Washington and Lee University (B.S.)
- cum laude
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Richmond Bar Association, Real Estate Section – Past Chairman; Executive Committee (1999-present)
- Virginia Bar Association
- Virginia State Bar, Real Property Section – Subcommittee on Current Developments and Legislation, Former Member
Community Involvements
- Current Community Involvement
- project: HOMES – Board Member
- Virginia Economic Developers Association – General Counsel; Board of Directors (2022)
- American Heart Association, Executive Leadership Team (Richmond) 2021 – present
- Previous Community Involvement
- Virginia Home for Boys – Board of Associates
- Science Museum of Virginia Universe Society
- Habitat for Humanity – Pro Bono Legal Assistance
- Junior League of Richmond – Pro Bono Legal Counsel
- March of Dimes, Virginia State Chapter – Board Member and Legal Counsel
- March of Dimes, Central Virginia Chapter – Board Member
- GRACRE Board of Directors, Membership Chair, Sponsorship Chair
Bar Admissions
- Virginia State Bar
Virginia Lawyers Weekly - "Go To Lawyer" for Real Estate Law (2025)
The Best Lawyers in America® – Real Estate Law (2018-present)
Virginia Business – Legal Elite (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017)
Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2007-2010)
Williams Mullen Board of Directors – Class A Liaison
Experience
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: THE RESULTS OF ANY LEGAL MATTER DEPEND ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH MATTER. PAST RESULTS DO NOT PREDICT OR GUARANTEE SIMILAR RESULTS IN ANY FUTURE MATTER.
- Representation of government contractor in acquisition of land and development of an approximately $700 million manufacturing facility. The project involved economic development incentive agreements from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the local Joint Industrial Development Authority and the County.
- Represented pharmaceutical company with a $800 million grant from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in (i) the acquisition of 44 acres of land for development of the National Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Reserve; (ii) negotiation of a 99-year Ground Lease from a multinational chemical manufacturer for development and use as a state-of-the-art Hybrid Manufacturing Facility for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients; (iii) negotiation of 99-year ground lease to a national nonprofit organization formed by various U.S. healthcare providers for development and use as a manufacturing facility producing finished dosage drug products; and (iv) negotiating operating contracts with publicly-traded international chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
- Represented power generation and electric transmission company in the $350 million acquisition of a 24% undivided interest in a gas-fired power plant, underlying real estate and all associated power plant assets. Representation included significant real estate due diligence, negotiation of title endorsements and extended coverages, assistance with financing, and legal opinions.
- Represented Japanese conglomerate and manufacturer of carbide cutting tools in a build-to-suit purchase of 10-acre parcel for a manufacturing facility in Danville, Va. Work included negotiation of unique build-to-suit purchase and sale agreement, assistance with oversight of construction, advice regarding consulting agreements with construction management and quality control consultants. This project is expected to create 45 jobs and a $9.5 million capital investment.
- Represented Industrial Development Authority in connection with a major economic development project. Multiple parcels were assembled to create a commercial park for the location of a major distribution and fulfillment center involving an investment in excess of $50 million and the creation of hundreds of jobs. The project involved a comprehensive state and local incentives package. Real estate work involved handling all aspects of the real estate assemblage and transfers, including the resolution of title issues, the creation of private easements and the preparation of restrictive covenants.
- Represented national developer in the acquisition of a 120-acre site for development as a high-density, urban mixed-use community with 550 townhomes, two 18-story office towers, two hotels, three mixed-use condominiums with retail on the first floor and residential apartments above and free-standing stores for national retailers including REI, Whole Foods and JC Penney’s. Work included the acquisition of land, multiple phases of financing in excess of $200 million, consolidation and re-subdivision of land, negotiation of purchase and sale contracts with hotel developers and preparation and implementation of Master Declaration, Townhouse Declaration, and other Property Owner’s Association documents.
