- Has represented commercial landlords, tenants, and utilities in their leasing of offices, retail space, and cell tower sites across the country.
- Represented an affordable housing developer facing not-in-my-back-yard (NIMBY) challenges in securing development approvals from local government.
- Represented a nonprofit organization in writing HUD grant applications under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to secure funding for affordable housing developments in Alabama and Louisiana.
- Closed multiple real estate development transactions combining private financing with state and federal funding sources.
Lillian Roe Gilmer
Nashville, TN Office
Lillian Roe Gilmer is a member whose practice focuses on commercial real estate, affordable housing development, and representation of non-profit organizations. Lillian’s experience with affordable housing developers includes advising and working with owners, lenders, developers, and investors in all phases of real estate development, including: land acquisition, representation before local governmental commissions, financing, construction, leasing, disposition, and homeownership programs. Lillian assists developers seeking to combine private financing with state and federal funding sources, such as tax credits, bonds, tax increment financing, federally-insured loans, and grants to develop both residential and mixed-use development with affordable housing components. Lillian represents both Landlord and Tenants in drafting and negotiating leases for office and retail spaces across the country.
Lillian’s experience representing nonprofit organizations includes writing federal grant applications, drafting and reviewing contracts, drafting agency policies, and providing general legal advice to specific issues faced by nonprofit organizations.
Selected Recent Transactions
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, Tennessee Fair Housing Matters Conference, Tennessee Fair Housing Commission, April 2009
Major Prior Work Experience
Before joining Reno & Cavanaugh, Lillian was an associate at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, where she practiced real estate law and represented clients in commercial leasing, acquisition, disposition, and development of real property. Prior to entering law school, Lillian taught History, Political Science, and English to high school students in both Nashville, Tennessee, and Nagoya, Japan.
- Associate, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis
- Teacher, Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, 1996-1998
- Teacher, Harpeth Hall High School, 1995-1996
Publications
- Gilmer, Lillian Roe & Fenswick, Carla (March 2006). Examining the Green House Project Senior Living Concept. Nashville Business Journal.
- Gilmer, Lillian Roe (May 2002). Japan’s Communication Interception Act: Unconstitutional Invasion of Privacy or Necessary Tool? Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law.
Awards, Community and Professional Activities
- Vanderbilt Scholastic Excellence Award in Legal Writing
- Lightfoot, Franklin & White Best Brief Award
- Member, Tennessee Bar Association
Education
Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D.
- Articles Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law
Davidson College, B.A. in Asian Studies, with honors
Bar Admission
- Tennessee Bar