MARA serves as chair of the firm’s Real Estate group. Her practice focuses on real estate law, real estate development and secured financing transactions, private placements, investment syndications and environment law.
Mara has worked with individuals, non-profit and government agencies, corporations and other entities as landowners in connection with a broad range of development objectives. She counsels clients through property acquisition and assembly, zoning and entitlements, enabling legislation, financing, development and divestiture. Mara is experienced in representing large public and privately-held companies in real estate law aspects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. She represents lenders and borrowers in structuring, securing and documenting senior, mezzanine and construction loans. She advises middle market and smaller companies in creating entities for purposes of managing and investing in real estate. Mara counsels a diverse range of clients on issues involving environmental diligence and compliance, title insurance matters, leasing, construction and condominium law. She has worked with hospital clients in connection with acquisitions, leasing, structured financings and medical condominiums.
Mara is a member of the law alumni board for Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and is a past president of that board. She is secretary of the Mayfield Sand Ridge Club and is a member of the Board of Directors of Recovery Resources. Mara serves on the advisory boards of two private scholarship foundations. Mara is sought out for her knowledge by publications and conference hosts including Inside Business and Lorman. She remains active in the American and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations. Mara is a member of the Urban Land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers.
Mara began her tenure with Calfee in 1990, becoming a partner in 2000. She is a member of the firm’s executive committee, is chairperson of the firm’s hiring committee and a member of the firm’s diversity committee.