John Ferguson > Goodwin > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Goodwin‘s ‘top notch’ private investment funds team covers the full spectrum of private investment fund types across various asset classes, where the team has a strong track record with real estate funds, where institutional and high net worth individual investors operating on a national and global level comprise their client base. Mandee Gruen chairs the team and a member of the firm’s real estate industry and ESG and impact practices, with these areas being a focus of her private funds work. Gruen is based in New York, as is John Ferguson, who similarly advises on real estate funds, alongside infrastructure, debt and credit, private equity and fund of funds, while Paul Verbesey is a key name in Washington DC and Matthew Giles and up-and-coming partner Lynette Elam are key names in in Boston. James Donohue left the firm in April 2024.

Praised by one client for their ‘brilliant partners’ and ‘deep bench of talent’, Goodwin is particularly well known for its representation of REITs, global funds, investors, hospitality companies, and developers on complex transactions, lease work, and fund matters, for which they have extensive expertise representing both new and established entities. In addition, the team is also known for its skill advising on complex investment vehicles, joint ventures, and finance work, covering areas such as mortgage and mezzanine financing as well as construction loans. New York partner and co-chair Diana Brummer has experience assisting institutional investors, pension funds and REITs on an array of transactions, joint ventures, and loan work, including workouts. Co-head John Ferguson is also based in New York and has extensive experience in the private investment fund space. Co-chair of the joint ventures and finance and restructuring practice groups, Alex Jacobs is a key name in the firm’s Santa Monica office and has experience spanning residential, retail, office, and hotel asset classes. Freddie Akrouche in Boston and Brian Lerman in Washington DC are other integral team members.