Brian J. Sabin
Shareholder
P: 314.505.5426
F: 314.505.5427
E: sabin@capessokol.com
HIGHLIGHT
Represented a prominent shareholder of a national commercial real estate development firm, with respect to $110+ million in buy-sell transactions and related real estate development matters.
HIGHLIGHT
Represented an energy company, as the borrower, in the negotiation and drafting of a $100+ million senior loan facility, with interrelated mezzanine and seller financing.
Experience at Work
Brian counsels businesses on all types of legal matters, throughout all stages of their lifecycle, from entity formation and startup, to maturity and disposition. He has played a leading role navigating clients through complex mergers and acquisitions and high-stakes business divorces. He also advises employees and businesses with respect to non-compete agreements throughout the United States. In addition to representing for-profit businesses, Brian advises prominent non-profit organizations throughout the St. Louis region.
As a real estate attorney, Brian represents landlords, tenants, property owners, developers and investors, in real estate transactions and disputes. He is a frequent commentator on developments in the short-term property rental industry and often represents landlords seeking to comply with the ambiguous laws governing the industry. In his banking and finance practice, Brian represents borrowers and lenders, and has led several $100+ million loan transactions.
In the Community
As a native St. Louisan, Brian is committed to the betterment of the St. Louis region. Brian is a graduate of the FOCUS St. Louis Emerging Leaders Program, and an active member of the Urban Land Institute.
He is currently on the Board of HavenHouse St. Louis, a hospital hospitality house with the mission to provide the comfort of home and a community of support to patients and their families who travel to St. Louis for medical care.
He frequently provides pro bono legal services for clients referred by St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts, which is dedicated to the cultural enrichment of the St. Louis area by providing low-income artists and emerging arts organizations with free legal and accounting assistance.
Brian also volunteers at a pro bono legal clinic organized by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and hosted by Grace Hill Settlement House. This bimonthly clinic, part of LSEM’s Community Economic Development Program, provides low income entrepreneurs and non-profits with legal assistance for their organizations.
Awards & Recognitions
Awards
- St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Best Attorney, 2025
- St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Top Business Advisor, 2021
- St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Best Attorney, 2020
- St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Best Attorney, 2019
- St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Top Business Lawyer, 2019
- Super Lawyers® | Missouri and Kansas Rising Stars List, Rising Star (2017 – 2023)
- University of Missouri-St. Louis | Chancellor’s Certificate in Fundamentals of Economic Development (2017)
- FOCUS St. Louis | Emerging Leaders Program (2015)
- Saint Louis University School of Law | Academic Excellence Award in Legal Research and Writing
Memberships & Associations
Professional Organizations
- American Bar Association | Business Law and Real Property, Trusts and Estate Law Section
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
- Landmarks Association of St. Louis
- Urban Land Institute
Education
Educational Background
- J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law (2009)
- B.S., Industrial Management, Purdue University (2005)
Significant Experience
Representations
- Represented client with respect to frequent strategic mergers and acquisitions.
- Represented seller of multiple multi-family apartment complexes, having an aggregate sales price in excess of $100 million.
- Represented group of residential real estate investors with respect to property acquisition and business formation.
- Represented property owner seeking compliance with applicable laws to rent property on AirBnb.
- Represented personal care manufacturer in ongoing corporate matters and director/shareholder disputes.
- Negotiated and drafted consulting agreements for pharmaceutical sales consulting company.
- Drafted independent contractor and non-competition agreements for health care provider to use with its physicians.
- Represented boutique hotel with respect to drafting employment agreement for key executive and hotel management agreement.
- Represented individuals and businesses with respect to choice of entity selection, and formation of corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and joint ventures.
- Represented government contractor with respect to negotiation and drafting of joint venture agreement to achieve minority owned business certification.
- Represented prominent shareholder of national real estate development company with respect to buy-sell transactions and ongoing shareholder disputes.
- Represented marketing services firm to document future planned ownership transitions.
- Drafted purchase and sale agreement for owners of information technology consulting firm to avoid corporate deadlock.
- Represented prominent member of private equity firm in engagement in buy-sell transaction and separating business interests.
- Negotiated master lease agreement and drafted sublease and property management agreements for sub-landlord located in commercial office building.
- Represented national manufacturer and distributor of packaging products in lease transactions and real estate disputes.
- Represented national real estate developer in the acquisition and sale of retail shopping centers.
- Drafted promissory note, personal guaranty, pledge agreement and related loan documentation for an inter-company loan.
- Negotiated the refinancing of a $100+ million loan for a 400-acre retail shopping center development.
- Drafted legal opinion for media conglomerate regarding the refinancing of a $100+ million credit facility.
- Represented privately held commercial real estate investment company throughout the bankruptcy proceedings of its tenant.
- Represented lenders in residential and commercial foreclosure proceedings.
Knowledge & Insights
Speaking Engagements
- LLC Clinic. St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts. St. Louis, MO. (2025)
- Basics of Limited Liability Companies. LLC Clinic. St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts. St. Louis, MO. (2021)
- The Evolving Legal Landscape of Short-Term Property Rentals. Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. St. Louis, MO. (2018)
- Basics of Limited Liability Companies. LLC Clinic. St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts. St. Louis, MO. (2017)
Publications
- “Important Considerations for Short-Term Property Rental Hosts in Missouri.” St. Louis Lawyer (2016)
Firm Programs
- Legislative Landmines. Capes Sokol Business & Real Estate Symposium. St. Louis, MO. (2021)
Firm Insights
- Gin & Pelotonic: An Exercise in Restraint
- Nothing Lasts Forever . . . Non-Compete Agreements Included
- Total Eclipse of the Yard – Adverse Possession Law in Missouri
- A Changing Legal Landscape for Short-Term Property Rentals in Missouri
- Haunted Houses: Disclosing Spooky Activity in the State of Missouri
- Important Considerations for Short-Term Property Rental Hosts in Missouri
- An “Off The Shelf” Buy-Sell Provision May Not Work For Many Missouri Business Owners
Admissions & Qualifications
Bar & Court Admissions
- Missouri
- Illinois
- U.S. District Courts
- Eastern District of Missouri
- Western District of Missouri
Leadership & Community Engagement
Current Leadership Positions
- HavenHouse St. Louis | Board Member
Civic & Community
- HavenHouse St. Louis
Brian J. Sabin’s Insights
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