Domenic C. Drago

Domenic Drago is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in the firm's San Diego (Del Mar) office. He managed the firm's Del Mar office from 2000 to 2004 and served as the firmwide Leader of the Real Estate Practice Group from 2004 to 2016.

Areas of Practice

For over 35 years, Domenic’s practice has included a wide variety of real estate and business transactions. He is experienced in real property purchase and sale, joint ventures, public-private partnerships, leasing and finance transactions. He represents owners and developers of multifamily developments, shopping centers, hotels, commercial and industrial office buildings and residential subdivisions. His finance experience includes both borrower and lender representation in the initiation, modification, purchase and sale and workout of real estate secured loans.

Domenic’s transactions include the acquisition and financing of office properties, multifamily developments, residential land for the development of master planned, mixed-use communities, hotels and automobile dealerships. He represents landlords and tenants in lease transactions involving office, research and development and retail space.

Representative Clients:

• Public Storage
• California State University System
• The Irvine Company
• Genstar Communities

Experience

Recent Representative Transactions

• Represented the California State University system and San Diego State University in the acquisition of the 135-acre stadium site in Mission Valley from the City of San Diego.

• Supervised real estate team for City of Pasadena Rose Bowl renovation project.
• Represented developer in acquisition and finance of urban infill, mixed-use development parcel.
• Represented developer in joint development agreement regarding major mixed-use development in Los Angeles, California.
• Represented developer in ground lease option for $2 billion mixed-use project in San Mateo, California.
• Represented developer in negotiating ground lease and joint venture agreements for mixed-use project in Mission Valley, San Diego.
• Represented developer regarding development opportunities in Anaheim and San Diego.
• Represented private equity real estate owner/developer in acquisition of multifamily and office projects totaling over $2 billion.
• Representation of private equity fund in formation of joint ventures for residential development projects.
• Represented buyer of a hotel in Hawaii involving the amendment and assumption of a CMBS loan.
• Represented global investment/finance company in connection with financing for regional natural gas power plant.
• Represented multifamily developer in the acquisition of real property, formation of a limited liability company and financing of apartment projects in Riverside, California.
• Represented regional home builder in acquisition of large tracts of land for master planned developments and disposition of lots to merchant builders.
• Represented office building investor in disposition of four building technology office campus.
• Represented affiliates of automobile manufacturer in connection with the acquisition and disposition of automobile dealerships and all related real estate transactions.
• Represented regional home builder in connection with acquisition, disposition and construction financing for various single family and multi-family residential projects.

Honors

• 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2024
• Leading Dealmakers in America List, Lawdragon, 2021-2022, 2024-2025
• Best Lawyers, 2019-2025
• San Diego Super Lawyer, 2015-2020
• Southern California Super Lawyers, 2007-2014
• Legal 500, 2010-2017

Media Mentions

Memberships

Member, San Diego County Bar Association

Member, California State Bar Association