Suzanne E. Hennessy

Suzanne Hennessy is a partner with the Real Estate Law Team.

Suzanne has extensive experience in general real estate matters including commercial leasing, purchases and sales and providing general real estate advice to a variety of clients from major developers to healthcare providers. She has also provided representation to a number of financial institutions and commercial lenders in the origination, modification and restructuring of commercial and real estate loans to borrowers within the Northern California and Central Valley areas. Suzanne also has represented borrowers in negotiating with lenders on new loan transactions, loan modifications and loan work-out situations.

In addition to her busy practice, Suzanne has been a speaker on various real estate topics including the real estate and leasing aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Suzanne has been a consultant for the California Continuing Education of the Bar and is a past member of the UCC Committee for the State Bar of California. She served on the Board of Directors of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) for 1997 and 1998 and has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Fairy Tale Town since 2000.

Suzanne is an AV® Peer Review Rated lawyer, the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and ethical standards. She graduated from UCLA and holds a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Prior to joining Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP, Suzanne was a partner with Diepenbrock, Wulff, Plant & Hannegan, LLP, clerked for the Alaska Court of Appeals, and worked in Anchorage, Alaska as an associate with the law firm of Perkins Coie. Ms. Hennessy is a member of both the Alaska and California Bar Associations, as well as a member of the Business and Real Property Section of the State Bar, the Real Property Section of the Sacramento County Bar and the California Society of Healthcare Attorneys.

Areas of Practice

Real Estate Law, Healthcare, Corporate and Securities, Lending Transactions, Commercial and Real Estate Loan Documentation, Restructuring

Representative Experience

• Representing clients on general real estate matters including commercial leasing, purchases and sales

• Providing general real estate advice to a variety of clients from major developers to healthcare providers

• Representing financial institutions in the origination, modification and restructuring of commercial, real estate and agricultural loans to borrowers

• Representing borrowers in negotiating with lenders on new loan transactions, loan modifications and loan work-out situations
  

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, California State Bar, Business Law Section, "A Day in the Life of a Business Lawyer," McGeorge School of Law, March 2, 2011

"Basic Concepts, Fair Market Value and Dispute Resolution For Lease Renewal Options," Cushman and Wakefield, March 2008

"Real Estate Leases, Focus on Letters of Intent and Tenant Lease Issues," Catholic Healthcare West, October 2007

"California Commercial Real Estate," Lorman Education Services, December 1999

"Reducing the Owner's Exposure in Leases," Grubb & Ellis Real Estate Brokers, 1995

"An Overview and Discussion of the Americans with Disabilities Act," Building Owners and Managers Association of Sacramento (BOMA); National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM); and Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), Sacramento, California, June 24, 1993.

"An Overview and Discussion of The Americans with Disabilities Act," Association of Commercial Real Estate and the Sacramento Women In Commercial Real Estate, Sacramento, California, May, 1993.

"An Overview and Discussion of The Americans with Disabilities Act," Southwest Region of the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute, Sacramento, California, October, 1992.

"The ADA: Are You Prepared to Comply," The International Counsel of Shopping Centers, San Mateo, California, September, 1992.

"D-Day on ADA: New Legislation Challenges Employers," Sacramento Association of Health Underwriters, Sacramento, California, September, 1992.

"Speaking Frankly About Unlawful Detainer, Correcting Your Judgment and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," The International Counsel of Shopping Centers, Sacramento, California, March, 1992.

Publications

"Landlords and Tenants: Who is Responsible for ADA Compliance," a portion of a Special Supplement to the Sacramento Business Journal, May 25, 1992

"Consultant, Sales and Leases in California, Commercial Law,, V.1, 2nd Ed., (Chapter 9 -Breakdown of the Bargain), CEB 1993

"UCC System Computer Update," Sacramento Bar Association Docket 1996

"Ten Tips in Drafting Medical Office Leases," Diepenbrock, Wulff, Plant & Hannegan, LLP, Business Advisory, 1997

"1997 Member Services Board Message," Crew Sacramento Newsletter, 1997

Leadership Positions

• Fairytale Town Theme Park, Board of Directors, (2002-Present)

• California Real Estate Women in Sacramento (CREW), Committee Chair (2000-2007)

• California Real Estate Women in Sacramento (CREW), Board Member, (1997-1999)

• California State Bar, UCC Committee, Member (1993-1996)

• California State Bar, UCC Committee, Liason to California Bankers Association (1993-1996)
  

Memberships

Sacramento County Bar Association,
Real Property and Business Law Sections
State Bar of California, Real Property Law Section

Alaska Bar Association
California Real Estate Women in Sacramento (CREW)
California Receivers Forum

Awards

National Network of Commercial Real Estate Women, (1997)
Intra-Member Organization Networking Award Recipient

Community Activities

Tri-City Little League, Sponsor and Volunteer, (2002-Present)
Crocker Art Museum, Pro Bono Counsel, (1988-present)
Tierra Del Oro Girl Scout Council, "Be a Reader Manager,"
Troup 433, (2002-2003)
Cities in Schools, Tutor to Students, (1991-1992)

Education

Hastings College of Law
J.D., 1983
Thurston Honor Society

University of California, Los Angeles
B.S., magna cum laude, 1978
Nursing

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