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Joseph “Joe” B. Bass III
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Joe serves a diverse range of clients in a variety of Commercial Real Estate transactions.
Joe Bass is a member of Manning Fulton’s Real Estate practice group. His knowledge and background, combined with the support and experience of Manning Fulton’s other real estate attorneys, allow him to advise clients on matters ranging from the simple to the complex.
About
Joe counsels clients in all stages of real estate acquisition, ownership, development, disposition, and financing. Joe has particular experience assisting clients in the acquisition and development of retail shopping centers and residential developments. Having performed numerous complex title searches and with the support of some of the best title paralegals in the state, Joe assists clients with title examinations, boundary disputes, liens, and related matters affecting title. In addition, he has assisted buyers and sellers; lenders and borrowers; and tenants and landlords in the following transactions:
- Loan closings and closings on the purchase and sale of real property;
- Financing transactions for land acquisition and development, including permanent financing, bridge financing, construction financing, and CMBS financing;
- Loan modifications, refinancing, debt restructuring, loan workouts, and foreclosures;
- Drafting and negotiating commercial leases on behalf of both landlords and tenants and representation in similar landlord-tenant matters;
- Planned community development, condominium development, and shopping center development, including drafting documents governing land use;
- Purchase and sale transactions, deed preparation, grants of easement, declarations of restrictive covenants, and other agreements related to land use and real property;
- Shopping center, retail, office, medical office, mixed-use, and industrial/warehouse/flex leasing and development; and
- Management, purchases, sales, and financing of mobile home communities and mobile homes.
Before joining Manning Fulton, Joe worked in private practice where he acted as counsel for clients with multi-million dollar commercial real estate portfolios in commercial real estate matters, including transactional work and representation in legal disputes. Joe’s experience in litigation at a prior firm, including real estate, construction, contract, and other disputes, has provided invaluable experience in coping with deals that have gone bad, making him better equipped to assist clients on the frontend in transactional matters.
During his time at Davidson College, Joe was a four-year letterman and served as captain of the soccer team, where he was named to the Academic All-South Team and earned Most Valuable Player honors. At the University of Miami, he was a Dean’s Merit Scholar and a member of Phi Delta Phi.
Credentials
Education
- University of Miami, School of Law – J.D. – 2009 – Cum Laude
- Davidson College – B.A. in History – 2005
Admitted to Practice
- North Carolina
- Florida (Inactive)
Professional Memberships & Activities
- North Carolina Bar Association Member
- Young Lawyers Division
- Real Property Section
- Wake County Bar Association Member
- Wake County Real Property Lawyers Association Member
- The Florida Bar Member
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law (2021-2027)
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Real Estate (2025-2026)
Prior Experience
- The Law Offices of Charles Winfree (Associate) – 2009-2015
Representative Transactions
- Represented a private real estate group in negotiation and closing of a $40 million loan refinance involving numerous properties across the state
- Represented a development company in acquisition, development, subdivision, and sale of subdivided tracts in a mixed use (office and retail) development in Durham near Research Triangle Park
- Assisted client in the acquisition and enforcement of multi-million dollar secured and unsecured multi-state debt from a major banking institution, including appearance in receivership proceedings, complex title review, obtainment of deeds in lieu of foreclosure, and enforcement of other rights in secured collateral
- Advised client in conversion of a coastal area mobile home park to single family subdivision, including development and disposition of infrastructure and utility as well as negotiation of financing through a non-recourse CMBS loan.
- Handled client’s acquisition of a ground lease to a mixed use building, including close review and assignment and assumption of medical office, office, and retail leases with subtenants
- Represented a client in a $28,000,000.00 purchase of an approximately 507,000 square foot industrial/warehouse space in major metropolitan area.
Community Engagement
MS Society
- Gold Circle Member
CASA
- Supporter
Alamance Partnership for Children
- Supporter
NC Museum of History
- Archivist/Associate
Wake County Holiday Cheer Program
- Community Sponsor
North Carolina Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
- Wills for Heroes Event Volunteer
North Carolina Bar Association
- Bar Candidate Interview Committee Member
North Carolina Mid-Market Fast 40
- Interview Committee