Thomas P. Clark, Jr.

For more than 40 years, California local governments have relied on Tom Clark to structure public-private transactions that transform their communities. With more than 1,000 deals under his belt, Tom uses his deep understanding of real estate economics and government economics to helps cities, counties, and other governmental agencies identify the needs of their communities and then leverages public revenues to maximize future public revenues and clean up blighted areas. While the underlying nuances and complexities of a transaction often threaten delays, Tom’s reputation for productive collaboration to pursue common goals keeps deals on track.

When the California legislature terminated the redevelopment agency structure in 2012, city governments looked to Tom to quell uncertainties surrounding their real estate portfolios, financial obligations, and ongoing economic development projects.  During the transition away from redevelopment tools, Tom served as a trusted resource to governmental entities in understanding the economics of the new revenue paradigm and its impact on economic development.

Tom is a frequent author on the topics of economic development, land use, and public finance. He has served as editor-in-chief of The Urban Lawyer, the official publication of the Local Government Law Section of the American Bar Association. Tom has been a lecturer and speaker for the Redevelopment Institute, various city attorney and city manager associations, the Finance Director Association, The Bond Buyer, and the League of California Cities.

Some highlights of Tom’s career include:

With the Soviet Union on the verge of collapse, Tom was asked to assist with both the privatization of the GUM Department Store, the cornerstone of Red Square, and the development of the Mikhail Gorbachev Library.

Tom has worked on a number of hotel deals.  Prominent among those deals is the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, Tom negotiated a complicated multi-tiered financial arrangement culminating several hundred million in private debt capital and in the issue of $47 million in bonds to complete the project.

Tom represented Cal State University Channel Islands in their public/private partnership with Kennedy Wilson to manage the existing on-campus housing stock and construct 120 single-family attached homes, an age-restricted apartment complex, and a family apartment complex. As part of a long-term plan to continue to increase the university’s student enrollment, this aspect focused on providing more housing for prospective faculty and staff, and expanding community resources for residents.

Tom has also been involved in numerous retail projects including major shopping centers and auto malls, among others, Tom represented the Glendale Redevelopment Agency in the development of the Americana at Brand shopping mall. This multifaceted public-private project involved a significant allocation of public parking, the integration of a public park, and a ground lease.  The project was made more complex due to its shared uses as both a public park and retail site, which gives rise to a potential conflict between the public’s free speech rights and right to assemble on public property, and the rights of private enterprise.

When the City of Escondido sought to develop a North County mall on a site that was previously a park, Tom counseled the city through an election so it could formally abandon the park and build the mall. Tom guided the city through a complicated real estate transaction to build the mall.

Experience

Represented Cal State University Channel Islands in their public/private partnership with Kennedy Wilson to manage the existing on-campus housing stock and construct 120 single-family attached homes, an age-restricted apartment complex, and a family apartment complex. As part of a long-term plan to continue to increase the university’s student enrollment, this aspect focused on providing more housing for prospective faculty and staff, and expanding community resources for residents.
Our team has worked on a number of hotel deals.  Prominent among those deals is the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, where we negotiated a complicated multi-tiered financial arrangement culminating in several hundred million in private debt capital and in the issue of $47 million in bonds to complete the project.
On June 15, 2017, Stradling client, the City of San Bernardino, reached a major milestone in its chapter 9 bankruptcy case when its Plan of Adjustment became effective and the City emerged from bankruptcy. Stradling represented the City in its bankruptcy case, and in assisting the City in reaching this momentous milestone. 
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Credentials

Education
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1973
  • University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1965
  • California Redevelopment Association, Legal Advisory Committee 
  • California

Related Practices

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