Brian Pugh

Commercial Real Estate

Brian takes pride in strongly advocating for the best purchase or lease terms for his clients. He assists small to medium-sized to large businesses in purchasing or leasing commercial real estate properties, including warehouses, retail space, office buildings, undeveloped land, and special-purpose property. He also assists clients with legal issues related to the re-financing of loans for commercial real estate and equipment.

He has drafted, edited, and negotiated commercial lease agreements for manufacturing operations, warehouse distribution operations, retail, and restaurant operations across the Southeast and Midwestern U.S.

Brian has provided counsel with regard to large and small construction projects involving renovations to commercial buildings and the construction of new commercial properties.

He has developed a niche within his commercial real estate practice of providing legal advice and other contributions to historic restoration projects across Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Business Formation and Commercial Contracts

Brian works closely with his clients across many industries to help them navigate the legalities of establishing and managing corporations and limited liability companies by advising on the structure, management, and operation of their companies and subsidiary entities. Brian has represented shareholders in litigation related to ownership of shares and entity control.

Additionally, Brian advises on complex business deals that involve drafting, negotiating and editing contractual agreements with his clients’ customers including Master Supplier Agreements, Master Service Agreements and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) agreements, as well as contractual agreements with his clients’ important suppliers, subcontractors and vendors.

Brian has extensive experience with Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements, which are very important in modern business, especially when sensitive or emerging technology is involved, or a potential transaction is being evaluated. 

Economic Development and Tax Credits

Brian represents new and existing companies in expansion and/or relocation investments regarding project sales tax, land tax abatements, location options, private/public financing, among other legal issues at the intersection of business and government to assist in the economic development and commercial progress across Alabama.

For example, Brian assisted with the financing, construction contract, and builder’s risk insurance for a new, 30,000-square foot building in southern Alabama.

Labor and Employment

Brian’s labor and employment law experience includes drafting, editing, and negotiating employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, non-disclosure agreements, non-competition agreements, and severance agreements. He regularly counsels on employee relations issues pertaining to termination and compliance. He also has advised and assisted employers with workers’ compensation claims, specifically in the defense of those claims while working in cooperation with staff counsel for major insurance companies. Brian has successfully objected to false and fraudulent unemployment claims and defended employers against false claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Brian has experience providing legal advice to a 100% employee-owned company and assisting with documents related to their Employee Stock Ownership Plans (E.S.O.P.).

Mediation and Dispute Resolution

Brian’s zeal for mediation has led to his strong track record of success during informal settlement discussions with opposing counsel, mediation, and other dispute resolution processes. He has participated in many mediations that have resulted in favorable settlements that eliminated future litigation costs for his clients.