Jane Rakay Nelson

Shareholder | Seattle | 206.223.6249 | nelsonj@lanepowell.com

Areas of Practice

Jane Rakay Nelson is a Shareholder and Co-Chair of Lane Powell’s Real Estate Practice Group.  She has handled numerous financing, lease and acquisition transactions for many clients including Home Depot, Nordstrom, United Dominion Real Estate Trust and Chelsea Property Group.  Jane is active in several community organizations, serving as immediate Past-Chair of the Downtown Seattle Association Board of Trustees, Co-Chair of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Business Affiliates Board and member of the Board of Directors of the Woodland Park Zoo.  In addition, she is involved in various professional activities, serving on the executive committee of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Section of the Washington State Bar Association and teaching many seminars.

Admitted to Practice

• Pennsylvania
• Washington

Academics

• Duquesne University School of Law (J.D., 1985)
  • Executive Editor, Duquesne Law Review, 1984-1985
• The Ohio State University (M.A., 1980; B.S., 1975)

Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships

• Past Member, Lane Powell Board of Directors
• Co-Chair, Lane Powell Real Estate Practice Group
• Retail

Publications

• “All Business…Her Job Description, That is.  But Real Estate Lawyer Jane Rakay Nelson is About More Than Finance and Acquisition,” Washington Super Lawyers, June 2010 (Interviewed)
• “Time to Focus on Seattle’s Future – Challenging Conditions Provide Opportunities to Plan Ahead,” Seattle Business Monthly, January 2010
• “Real Estate Essentials,” Property Deskbook Volumes 1 and 2, March 30, 2009

Speaking Engagements

Jane is a regular speaker on topics of real estate acquisition, sales and due diligence, leasing, development and real estate finance.

Awards and Honors

• Peer Review Rated “AV” in Martindale-Hubbell
• Named as one of The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate, 2010-2011
• Recommended by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Real Estate, 2004-2007
• Named as Washington “Super Lawyer,” Washington Law & Politics, Real Estate, 2004, 2005, 2007-2010 (“Top 40 Real Estate Lawyers in Washington,” 2008)

Professional and Community Activities

• Member, Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section Legislative Committee (2010)
• Member, Washington State Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Section Executive Committee (1997-1999)
• Member, Washington State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Committee (1998-1999)
• Member, Downtown Seattle Association Board of Trustees (1998-present)
  • Chair (2009-2010)
  • Vice-Chair (2008-2009)
  • Secretary (2007-2008)
• Co-Chair, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Business Affiliates Board (2007-present)
• Member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Business Alliance Executive Industry Board (2001-2006)
  • Co-President (2002-2005)
• Member, Woodland Park Zoo Board of Directors (present)
• Member, Home Depot Foundation Advisory Committee (2007-2008)
• Member, American Land Title Association Lender’s Counsel (1997-2005)
• Member, International Conference of Shopping Centers (present)
• Member, Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club Board (1992-2000)
  • President (1996)
• Member, Mercer Island School Board Fiscal Committee (1991-1996)
  • Chair (1995)
• Member, King County Boys and Girls Club Board Executive Council and Presidents’ Council (1996)
• Member, Seattle Rotary #4 (1999-2005)
• Member, Pacific Real Estate Institute
• Member, Community Development Roundtable
• Member, U.S. Law Firm Group, Real Estate Committee
• Member, City of Seattle Human Services Director Search Committee (2010)
• Judge, Puget Sound Business Journal “40 under 40” (2010)
• Speaker, YMCA Patsy Collins Adventures in Leadership (2010)