Notable Transactions

The Busch Firm served as legal counsel in connection with the acquisition, entitlement, and development of Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, California. The representation included structuring the acquisition financing, negotiating and preparing development and construction documentation, and addressing land use and related regulatory matters necessary to complete the project. The firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm served as legal counsel to the buyer in connection with the 2016 acquisition of Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort in Kauai, Hawaii. The representation included structuring and negotiating a long-term ground lease, conducting due diligence, and preparing and finalizing the purchase and related real estate documentation necessary to complete the transaction.  The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm acted as legal counsel in connection with the 2004 acquisition and development of The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, California. The firm’s work included the initial real estate acquisition and financing, and also included the purchase of adjacent property for expansion of its resort, project construction, including the negotiation and documentation of construction-related financing agreements. The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, and operational matters related to the property, including a subsequent $25 million refinancing to support property revitalization. The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm served as legal counsel in connection with the acquisition, entitlement, and construction of JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California. The representation included complex real estate land use and entitlement matters, including state and federal environmental review and Native American matter review. The Busch Firm worked with the founding group to develop this premier independent Catholic high school as one of the region’s leading college preparatory institutions. As of the 2025-26 academic year, the school enrolls approximately 1,211 students and continues to reflect the strategic vision and  groundwork laid during its initial development with The Busch Firm’s representation.

The Busch Firm played an instrumental advisory and legal role in connection with St. Anne School, an independent Catholic high school located in Laguna Niguel, California. The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with governance, real estate, and related matters included advising on corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, and property matters associated with campus expansion and ongoing operations.

The Busch Firm worked with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in completing a landmark real estate and institutional transaction that preserved one of Southern California’s most iconic architectural and spiritual landmarks. Following the 2011 acquisition, the campus was renamed Christ Cathedral and a comprehensive multi-year renovation program was launched to adapt the modernist structure to Catholic liturgical use while preserving its architectural significance. The Firm’s work included structuring and negotiating the real estate transaction, coordinating due diligence, and preparing and finalizing the documentation necessary to facilitate this exceptional transaction. The matter stands as one of The Busch Firm’s most significant religious and community-impact transactions, blending complex legal, real estate and organizational elements to preserve a cultural and spiritual asset for future generations.

The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with the 2024 development of Denū Hotel & Spa in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The firm’s representation included structuring the acquisition and development arrangements and preparing and negotiating the agreements associated with the project’s construction phase. The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with the 2020 acquisition and ground-up development of Hyatt Place Phoenix/Downtown. The Firm’s work included real estate acquisition structuring, franchise branding documentation, development documentation, construction-related agreements, and transactional support through completion. The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with the 2020 acquisition, rebranding, and redevelopment of Hotel Viata in Westlake Hills, Texas. The Firm’s representation involved working within a compressed schedule to complete due diligence, structuring the acquisition, and negotiating agreements related to the redevelopment of the property. The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with the 2018 acquisition and development of the AC Hotel Dallas by the Galleria, a dual-branded Marriott property. The Firm’s work included structuring the transaction and preparing and negotiating the real estate and related agreements necessary to close and open the property. The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm acted as legal counsel in connection with the 2016 acquisition of AC Hotel Phoenix Tempe/Downtown. The Firm’s representation included structuring the acquisition and negotiating and documenting the real estate and related transactional agreements. The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm served as legal counsel in connection with the 2016 acquisition and development of AC Hotel Irvine, a Marriott-branded lifestyle hotel locate in the Park Place mixed-use development in Irvine, California. The Firm’s representation included structuring the real estate acquisition, entity formation and investment offering work. The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with the acquisition and ongoing asset management of the DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine–Spectrum located in the Irvine Spectrum Business Park in Orange County, California. The firm’s work included acquisition structuring, negotiation and preparation of real estate documentation, due diligence, and on-going legal support related to capital projects. The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with the acquisition and ongoing ownership of Hotel Zessa, a DoubleTree by Hilton™ located in Santa Ana, California. The Firm’s representation included acquisition, tax incentive development structure, financing and, in 2024, a $12 million refinancing to support a comprehensive renovation and rebranding initiative . The Firm continues to provide legal representation in connection with ongoing ownership, capital improvements, future refinancing and operational matters related to the property.

The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with the 2013 acquisition and eventual divestiture of Bacara Resort & Spa, a premier luxury resort on the Pacific Coast in Goleta/Santa Barbara, California. The firm’s representation spanned complex transactional and financing work, including on both the acquisition and disposition. In 2017, the firm successfully executed a strategic sale of the resort for its client, marking a significant liquidity event and value realization for the ownership group.

The Busch Firm served as legal counsel to the purchaser and its investment group in connection with the 2011 acquisition and 2021 disposition of Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. The Busch Firm’s representation included complex transaction structuring involving a long-term ground lease, negotiation and preparation of purchase and sale agreements, finance related documentation, due diligence, and closing coordination for both the acquisition and the 2021 sale.

The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with the 2005 acquisition and development of Stone Eagle Golf Club, a private golf club and residential community set amid the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains in Palm Desert, California. In representing the buyers in this matter, The Busch Firm handled the transaction structuring, real estate documentation and due diligence necessary to effectuate the purchase within a compressed timeframe. The firm’s work also included regulatory and conservation agreements with federal and state agencies and agreements with neighboring properties owners.

The Busch Firm serves as outside general counsel to Busch’s Markets, Inc., a family-owned Michigan community grocery store and specialty foods retailer. The Busch Firm has provided ongoing corporate representation encompassing entity structuring, governance, compliance, commercial contract negotiation, and strategic business guidance, supporting the company’s steady expansion and operational stability across its retail footprint. Integral to this work has been comprehensive legal handling of commercial lease transactions, including negotiation and execution of site leases and renewals, landlord and tenant due diligence, lease restructures, subleases and related real estate documentation for multiple market locations, ensuring favorable terms that align with the company’s growth objectives and local market dynamics. In addition to lease activity, the firm’s representation extends to vendor and supplier agreements, employment and benefits compliance, risk-management counseling, regulatory matters, and corporate operational contracts that arise in the ordinary course of running a multi-site retail enterprise. The Busch Firm has helped Busch’s Markets navigate complex legal terrain as a trusted advisor to the organization’s owners and leadership team across both transactional and day-to-day legal needs.

The Busch Firm provided legal counsel in connection with the formation and structuring of Trinitas Cellars. The representation included entity formation, governance documentation, regulatory compliance, and integration of the winery’s operations with related hospitality and real estate holdings.