“I admire their shared purpose and steadfast commitment to providing every client sound advice and best-in-class service,” Lawyer tells GlobeSt.com. “Transwestern has developed a unique synergy between the commercial services, development and investment management arms of the organization. This integrated platform supports comprehensive solutions and optimizes opportunities across all phases of real estate ownership and all product types.”

Lawyer goes on to say that he shares the firm's entrepreneurial spirit as that type of philosophy was the impetus for his start in commercial real estate.

“Retaining a strong, consistent corporate culture is no easy task as a company expands in breadth and depth, but Transwestern has succeeded in doing so,” Lawyer said. “I look forward to capitalizing on the company's strengths to elevate performance outcomes for team members and clients.”

Transwestern reports that the US office market continued to display improvements through mid-year 2018 as absorption totaled 18.8 million square feet, vacancy remained stable and asking rents increased by 3.4% annually. A strong jobs market with remarkably low unemployment has helped to spur the improvements in the broad market. As more individuals return to the workforce citing real wage growth, further tightening in the core metrics is anticipated through the balance of the year.

Average asking rental rates continued an ascent through mid-year, marking the 21st consecutive quarterly increase. As trade disputes escalate, existing tariffs on steel and aluminum could begin to result in increasing construction costs, thereby pushing asking rates higher during the near term.

Quarterly absorption remained positive, totaling 18.8 million square feet, however, the pace of absorption is slowing as quarterly totals are approximately 20% below three- and five-year quarterly averages. Overall, 34 of the 49 Transwestern reporting markets registered positive absorption.