Earlier this year, the real estate practice of Goggans, Stutzman, Hudson, Wilson & Mize, LLP, formerly a part of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, opened four new offices in Georgia, three in the greater Atlanta area and one in Columbus. The firm, also known as GSHWM, is named for its five founding partners: Vanessa Goggans, Nicholas Stutzman, Edward Hudson, Lynn Wilson and Clyde Mize.

The new firm was launched with the full support of MMM’s leadership, which ensured a smooth transition for GSHWM’s array of residential and commercial real estate clients. The firms will continue to refer legal matters to each other as needs arise.  

“We had been operating as a separate business unit within the larger firm for a while – and now, the timing was right,” says Vanessa Goggans, partner, GSHWM. “The needs of our real estate clients are sometimes quite different from those of MMM’s clients, and this change in structure allows us to set specific growth objectives, establish a new structure and focus more closely on what we do best – serving our clients in the residential and commercial real estate markets throughout Georgia and nationally.”

GSHWM offers responsive, cost-effective, high-quality representation in all areas and types of real estate transactions, including residential and commercial real estate closings, construction loan closings, acquisition and development loan closings, affordable housing development, commercial leasing, regulatory compliance, buyer and seller representation, contract reviews, title insurance and the creation of subdivisions and condominiums. The firm also represents governmental entities, non-profits, and housing authorities as well as private and publicly held equity funds in the single-family rental market space, including in asset acquisition, disposition and securitization, property management, default services as well as litigation related to property and asset management, and is actively involved in the build-to-rent market in analyzing and drafting covenants and restrictions best suited for the market. 

“Since we opened our doors, we’ve hit the ground running,” according to Goggans. “Already, GSHWM is expanding as we are meeting the urgent needs of today’s fast-paced real estate markets.”

“These are exciting times,” says Clyde Mize, partner, GSHWM.  “While we valued our time and growth with MMM, we are now energized and ready to meet new challenges and opportunities with our new firm.  For the past several years, I’ve been privileged to represent municipalities, governmental authorities, and housing authorities for whom budgets and costs are closely monitored.  As a smaller firm, we can provide high-quality representation and offer favorable rates to these clients, and this has been well-received.”