Nicholas R. House

Nick is a partner in the Vorys Cleveland office and leads the firm's real estate practice.

He is a corporate attorney whose practice focuses on commercial finance and real estate matters. 

Nick regularly represents lenders and borrowers in a wide range of secured and unsecured financing transactions, including syndicated and bi-lateral commercial real estate loans, asset-based facilities, commercial loans, subordinated debt financings, and workouts and restructurings.  He has particular expertise working on transactions with complex capital stacks that include multiple layers of financings, including various tax credits (e.g. historic tax credits, TMUD, etc.), PACE financing, tax increment financing, opportunity zones, grants and mezzanine and other subordinated debt.

Nick also represents public and private companies in various real estate matters, including acquisitions, dispositions and development.  

In addition to his finance and real estate practices, Nick acts as general outside counsel to several privately held companies.

Career highlights include:

• Representing various state, regional and national banks in construction loans and terms loans involving hundreds of millions of dollars on a variety of real estate asset types, including multifamily, industrial, office and mixed-use developments
• Leading the sale of a privately held company and related real estate assets for an aggregate sale price more than $100 million  
• Representing private and public companies in real estate acquisitions and dispositions totaling more than $1 billion
• Representing a publicly traded company in the acquisition and development of its corporate headquarters
• Representing a publicly traded company in refinancing its Term Loan B and asset-based loan facilities for aggregate commitments of over $1 billion

Nick is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth and ICSC.

Nick received his J.D. cum laude from the College of William and Mary Law School, where he was a member of the William and Mary Law Review.  He received his B.A. with distinction from the University of Michigan.  

Prior to joining Vorys, Nick worked for a real estate development and construction company in Ann Arbor and Detroit, MI. 

Honors & Recognitions

Crain's Cleveland, Forty Under 40, 2023

The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Banking and Finance Law, 2021–2026; Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), 2021–2026; Real Estate Law, 2021–2026

Ohio Super Lawyers, Securities & Corporate Finance, 2026

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Securities & Corporate Finance, 2022–2024

Professional & Community Activities

Association for Corporate Growth – Cleveland Chapter, Board Member and Chair of the Programming Committee

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity – Board Member

International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) – Member

Contemporary Youth Orchestra, Former Board Member and Executive Committee Member (Secretary)