Elizabeth H. Lum

Beth knew in law school she wanted to be a real estate lawyer when an introductory course sparked her interest. She applies the same concepts she learned in that course to her practice today. Beth started practicing law more than 13 years ago, immediately immersing herself in the financial and real estate crises after the housing crash of 2008. Her resilience and ability to grow and change based on clients’ individual needs shaped her into the attorney she is today.

Beth recognizes the unique opportunities for real estate investment, development and growth in the St. Louis area. She enjoys working with clients who are interested in using these spaces for new developments. Beth assists clients with transactions for both residential and commercial real estate, including sales, purchases, financing and leases. She counsels clients on a broad range of business transactions, including negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, drafting of subdivision declarations, entity formation, drafting asset and stock purchase agreements and ancillary documents such as non-compete agreements, employment agreements, and personal guarantee financing documents.

As a member of our Real Estate Service Group, Beth advises clients on finding creative solutions to the challenges faced by property and small business owners, such as alternate financing, renegotiating leases, and establishing new businesses. Beth works with builders and construction companies to update contracts to keep them current with applicable regulations and to customize the contracts to address issues which are unique to each builder, and to streamline contracts for use within electronic platforms, and represents homeowners and condominium associations related to the enforcement of restrictions, amending restrictions, and governance issues such as holding meetings and elections. She understands and keeps abreast of FHA and HUD regulations and assists condominium associations with FHA certification and recertification. She has helped clients to prepare for audits by the Missouri Real Estate Commission and has advised realtors, builders, brokers and management companies on regulatory issues such as making the appropriate disclosures required by RESPA, the MREC and other applicable federal and state laws.

Prior to law school, Beth honed her negotiation and communication skills working in the telecommunications field and as a teacher. As a former teacher, she supports the schools in her community and is involved in the local PTA.