Pete Michael Rinato is a licensed attorney in the State of New York. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Boston University School of Law. His practice has been primarily focused on tax and business matters. Pete has been working with individual and business clients for over fifteen years. In addition to performing legal services, Pete has assisted clients in raising capital in over twenty deals over the last decade. He has also been an entrepreneur and marketing consultant. Pete has been involved with transactions, projects, and disputes with some of the world’s most recognizable brands and personalities, including Stan Lee, UFC, Louis Vuitton, Dunkin Donuts, Crunch Fitness, Trump Tower, Hooters Hotel & Casino, MTV, VH-1, Spike, Tao, Crazy Horse Too, Xyience, Paris Hilton, Chuck Liddell, Bush/Cheney 2004, World Poker Tour, Rich Eisen, StubHub, M Resort Hotel & Casino, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Nashville Predators, Anaheim Ducks, TD Garden, Verizon Center, San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets.
PETE MICHAEL RINATO
CURRICULUM VITAE
EXPERIENCE:
President & Principal Investor January 2010 to present
Rinato Capital
Served as Investor, Financial and Marketing Advisor and Board Member for numerous private companies in the industries of real estate, gaming and mining. Handled all aspects of financial structuring of real estate syndications, managed capital sourcing, marketing initiatives and strategic planning. Delivered all presentations to co-investors and monitored all investment performance. Handled all aspects of financing and acquisition of multi-family residential projects, sourced tenants through government programs, handled matters relating to the Homeowner’s Association Board of Directors, and subsequently sold one portfolio to an institutional investor. Handled all aspects of financing for a portfolio of fitness gyms, including, without limitation, a private placement of capital and negotiation of leases. Acquired mineral rights to a variety of mining properties and oversaw private placements of equity and debt capital. Served as financial advisor and marketing consultant for DraftOps.com, a startup fantasy sports company with interactive lounges at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Verizon Center in Washington D.C., and the TD Garden in Boston. Secured and structured deals with nine NHL Teams, one NBA Team, and one WNBA Team. Handled all public relations and secured numerous placements in Forbes. Navigated the regulatory landscape for Fantasy Sports Industry and served on a panel at the Sports Business Journal Conference in New York. Secured sponsorship with Rich Eisen and worked with Eisen team to develop brand strategy and television commercial.
Private Practice Attorney, November 2007 to 2010
Rosenfeld Roberson & Rinato
Partner and Head of Transactional Department in boutique law firm handling real estate transactions, entertainment law, corporate law, commercial finance, and estate and asset protection strategies including the analysis of tax and securities laws. Responsible for structuring of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, structuring of debt and equity finance transactions and related due diligence. Substantial amount of practice on commercial real estate development and leasing as the firm represented nearly all of the largest developers and many of the property managers in Las Vegas. Representative clients included Marnell Properties, owner and developer of the M Resort Hotel and Casino and developer of retail, office, and gaming properties. Handled various aspects of the land assemblage, development, and financing of the M Resort Hotel and Casino, including work on development loan from Royal Bank of Scotland. Worked on the legal aspects of the high speed train from Victorville, California to Las Vegas, Nevada, including the ancillary development of stations and retail space. Represented Thomas & Mack, one of the largest developers of office and retail properties in Las Vegas. Represented Siegel Companies, owner of various multi-family residential projects, the Gold Spike Hotel, the Artisan Hotel, and Rumor Hotel. Represented Louis Vuitton, Dunkin Donuts, and other national brands with respect to commercial leasing throughout Las Vegas. After the economic collapse of Las Vegas, a majority of time was spent on lease workouts. Projects included the financial restructuring of the Meridian, a multi-family condominium complex near the Las Vegas strip and several acquisitions of distressed assets. Spent significant time on business development, generating substantial amounts of new clients and maintaining existing client relationships. Assembled a case of approximately fifty plaintiffs against Trump Tower in Las Vegas for breach of contract and misrepresentation in the sale of condominium units, as well as a slightly smaller suit against the Palms Casino. Handled all matters with taxing authorities and other related agencies.
General Counsel, November 2005-August 2007
Xyience Incorporated, Las Vegas, Nevada
Assisted Founder and Chief Executive Officer with vision and strategy for sports nutrition and functional beverage company. Handled all day-to-day legal tasks, oversaw private placements of debt and equity capital, managed significant marketing relationships, and oversaw the development of mixed martial arts gyms, including drafting and negotiating agreements with contractors and landlords during critical growth period. Personally raised over $40 million in debt and equity capital, handling all deal structuring, contract review and negotiation, and presentations to high net worth individuals, venture capital firms, and private equity firms. Secured exclusive category sponsorship with the Ultimate Fighting Championship with center of the octagon placement. Negotiated over forty Sponsorship Agreements with professional athletes. Worked with Viacom networks (MTV, VH1, Spike) developing brand messaging and integration within several television programs. Company subsequently sold for approximately $200,000,000.
Real Estate and Corporate Associate, January 2005 – November 2005
Kummer Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw, Las Vegas, Nevada
Advised clients in all aspects of real estate, corporate, and financing transactions, including acquisition and disposition of assets, and strategic joint venturing. Handled bond financing for the acquisition and rebranding of the Hooters Hotel and Casino. Negotiated and drafted significant amounts of office and retail leases. Negotiated and drafted various corporate agreements and structured asset protection plans. Served as outside counsel to UNLV Research Foundation during the receipt of a sixty-acre tech park via grant from the United States Government, including work on various entitlements. Represented a variety of land bank companies acquiring significant acreage at Bureau of Land Management auctions.
Real Estate and Corporate Associate, June 2003 – January 2005
Marquis & Aurbach, Las Vegas, Nevada
Split time between real estate and corporate departments. Responsibilities included drafting a variety of purchase and sale agreements for land acquisition, drafting and negotiating commercial leases, and drafting CC&R’s for Homeowners Associations. Drafted a variety of agreements related to the formation, operation, and purchase/sale of business entities. Handled all aspects of the financing process for residential and commercial real estate developers, including acquisition and development financing.
Real Estate and Tax Associate, February 2002 – June 2003
Law Offices of Steven C. Mero, New York, NY
Reviewed and negotiated residential real estate contracts. Represented residential condominium and co-op purchasers and sellers at Real Estate Closings. Performed a variety of functions related to Individual and Business Tax Planning. Structured transactions and drafted documents relating to the formation, operation, and dissolution of close corporations, partnerships, and small hedge funds. Prepared Individual, Corporate, Partnership, Fiduciary, and Estate Tax Returns.
EDUCATION:
Boston University School of Law, J.D., 2001
University of Michigan, B.G.S., History and Political Science, 1997
LICENSES:
Active Member of the New York Bar
ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
Nevada Legal Chairman for 2006 Senate Election
Las Vegas World Affairs Council Board Member
Nevada Legal Chairman for 2004 Presidential Campaign
CLE Lecturer on Drafting Commercial Leases (Sterling Education)
Volunteer Recruiter, New York Mayoral Campaign
Boston University School of Law Student Bar Association President
Campus Recruitment Coordinator for United States Senate Campaign
Panelist at Sports Business Journal Conference in New York City, October 2015 regarding Current Issues in Daily Fantasy Sports