FRANK W. PARKINSON is a seasoned legal professional with 25 years of experience ranging from sole practice to working for two of the largest law firms in the country, Sidley & Austin and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

Frank’s transaction-based practice has included a broad range of real estate, corporate and commercial lending matters, as well as the representation of a variety of corporations, developers, lenders, investment banks, venture capital and private investors. Frank has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating a diverse assortment of contracts and agreements relating to matters involving corporate formation, acquisition, disposition and financing transactions; purchase, sale, construction, financing and operation of commercial, residential and retail projects; leasing on behalf of landlords and major tenants; real estate secured lending; as well as workout and debt restructurings on behalf of lenders and borrowers.

Frank has also combined his extensive legal training and business experience with his passion for the broad array of issues in the emerging areas of renewable energy, clean technologies, green building, sustainable development, climate change and carbon finance.

An accomplished entrepreneur and business owner with a wealth of experience in leading several successful business ventures, Frank has managed companies through the full life cycle from formation to a successful exit strategy.

As an experienced real estate professional with over 15 years of experience as a real estate developer, green-builder, broker, investor and investment advisor, Frank is a LEED certified professional and a licensed and certified real estate EcoBroker in both the States of Michigan and Illinois.

In addition, Frank is a passionate advocate and volunteer, having spent the past four years actively involved with The Climate Project, an international non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of the issues surrounding climate change, and the tremendous economic opportunities afforded through clean technologies, energy efficiency, green building, clean technology and alternative energy solutions.

Active in his community, Frank serves on the board of Intentional Communities of Washtenaw, a non-profit organization formed to provide housing and community options for adults with disabilities. He is a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels Association of America, the YMCA Youth in Government Program, the Saline Area Baseball & Softball Association and is the vice-chair of two separate local community political organizations.

Frank’s interests include writing, travelling, skiing, biking and energy and environmental issues.  Some of his personal highlights include being married to his wife of 20 years, Elizabeth, raising his four children, spending one year traveling around the world with his family, delivering his youngest child, and riding a bike across America to raise seed money for a pediatric brain cancer foundation.

Education

• The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1985
• Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Alma College, B.A., 1982
• Majors in Business Administration and History
• Alma, Michigan

Areas of Practice

• Business and Corporate
• Energy and Environmental
• Lending and Finance
• Real Estate

Professional Memberships

• State Bar of Michigan

• State Bar of Illinois
• American Bar Association
• Licensed Real Estate Broker in both Michigan and Illinois
• United States Green Building Council
• EcoBroker International