top of page
VantageHeadshotsSeptember2023-16.jpg

Joe Nuñez

Email: joe.nunez@vantage.law

Tel: 612-353-1300

Download Bio

My passion for real estate, client service and entrepreneurial spirit drew me to Vantage Law Group. Whether developing a greenfield or brownfield, farmland or urban redevelopment, I’m enthused to provide client-centered value and creativity. As a partner in a downtown Minneapolis law firm, I negotiated and closed hundreds of acquisitions, dispositions and leases. As in-house counsel at Target, I negotiated and managed over $5 Billion in real estate developments, including economic incentive packages. My experience includes a development of railroad land, a 300-acre office campus, mixed-use projects, stores from 13,000 to 165,000 square feet, historically-sensitive redevelopment, and distribution centers and fulfillment facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

I believe that a lawyer’s primary goal is to facilitate problem-solving and draft succinct, understandable agreements, all in direct collaboration with the client. It shouldn’t be about me; it’s about facilitating client goals without churning billable time, and without making documents so complex that clients need to hire additional lawyers to administer the deal after it is closed. A client once called me a transformative negotiator because of my ability to cut through complications, formulate agreements that enhance the client’s position, and protect its interests with efficiency and collegiality.

For Vantage Law Group, building sustainable relationships mean the client and lawyers work as a team. We put clients first. We highlight responsiveness and flexibility. We have experience throughout the real estate law spectrum. We are passionate about partnering with clients to facilitate successful outcomes. This is a transformative way to deliver legal services. Let us show you how we build sustainable client relationships and get work done at reasonable billing rates and with flexible billing arrangements.

Education

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D.

International Moot Court

Washington University - St. Louis, B.A.

 

Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary

Washington University Junior Men's Honorary

Representative Experience

  • As an attorney for TCC Center Companies (1984-1988), Joe managed all leasing and REA transactions for approximately 35 million leasable square feet of shopping center properties, including negotiating hundreds of leases and lease amendments, handling tenant disputes and defaults, negotiating with anchor tenants.

  • As an Associate (1988-1992) and then Partner (1992-1995) at Petersen, Tews & Squires, Joe handled legal matters in all real estate and commercial areas, including business acquisitions and formation, corporate governance and management, dispute resolution, office and retail leasing, and environmental issues. Representation included national (SuperValu, United Health Care, GameStop, Christopher & Banks/Braun’s) and various local office (business and medical), retail and restaurant clients, and shopping center and office landlords.

  • During his tenure as Senior Counsel (1995-2000) and Senior Group Counsel (2000- 2015) at Target Corporation:

    • Helped hire and lead Target’s Real Estate Law Workgroup and served as subject matter                 expert to Target’s Government Affairs department.

    • Responsible for almost $6 billion in capital spend on Target real estate development                     projects (office and retail), closing hundreds of transactions.

    • Developed 202 Target stores throughout the US and 15 in Canada, and 42 US supply-side             and fulfillment center facilities, including economic incentive and development agreements;

    • Primary legal counsel for development of Target’s 300 acre North Campus (~2 million SF              of office space), including city development agreements.

    • Negotiated hundreds of REAs and other operation and easement agreements, worked                   through title issues on hundreds of real estate transactions.

Recognitions

  • Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) Board-Certified Real Property Law Specialist

  • Minnesota Monthly Top Lawyer in Minnesota, 2024

  • Best Lawyers in America®, 2019-2025

  • ICSC Government Relations Sulzbacher Volunteer Award, 2012

  • Saint Thomas Academy Archbishop John R. Roach Volunteer Award, 2012

  • Super Lawyer® Commercial Real Estate, 2020-2024

  • Super Lawyer® by Minnesota Law and Politics, 1998

Professional & Civic Activities

  • Fellow, American College of Reat Estate Lawyers

  • Former Regional President, Hispanic National Bar Association

  • Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to the Minnesota Election Integrity Task Force (Co-Chair), 2011-2013.

  • Minnesota ICSC State Director, 2015-2017

  • Central States Regional Chair, ICSC Government Relations, 2007-2012

  • Minnesota State Chair, ICSC Government Relations, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2004

  • MSCA Legislative Committee

  • University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital Philanthropic Board, 2008-2012 (Exec. Comm., 2010-2012), WineFest Fundraising Committee (current)

  • Member, Minnesota State Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association and National Association of Industrial and Office Properties

  • Mentoring, Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association and University of St. Thomas School of Law

  • Lecturer/Presenter legal education conferences by MSBA, ICSC, HNBA and Cuban American Bar Association

Practice Areas

  • Commercial Real Estate

  • Retail, Industrial and Office Leasing

  • Office, Retail and Industrial Development and Management

  • Land Assembly

  • Development Agreements

bottom of page