The New York-based team at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is engaged in all major aspects of commercial real estate finance, including advising on secured loans for CMBS, mezzanine financing, construction and development loans and workouts. Kimberly Blacklow and Michael Weinberger, together with Joseph Lanzkron and Aron Zuckerman advised affiliates of Goldman Sachs, as lender, on almost $13bn of new loan originations. Practice head Steven Wilner regularly represents financial institutions, corporations, and sovereign wealth funds, while Daniel Reynolds is go-to counsel on Brookfield Real Estate Finance Partners’ financings.
Real estate finance in United States
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Practice head(s):
Steven Wilner
Other key lawyers:
Kimberly Blacklow; Michael Weinberger; Joseph Lanzkron; Aron Zuckerman
Testimonials
‘This team has highly technical attorneys, an extensive knowledge management treasure trove and very commercial perspectives from both the lender and borrower perspective.’
‘Kimberley Blacklow’s technical expertise puts her at the top of any rankings on that issue and she is also able to distil the information in an easily digestible manner.’
‘Michael Weinberger has extensive experience on the lender side which has allowed him to be a trusted attorney for us on the borrower side as well.’
‘Aron Zuckerman is a younger partner whose knowledge far exceeds his years in the partnership.’
Key clients
AIG Investments
AllianceBernstein
Argent Ventures
Banco Inbursa
Brookfield Asset Management
The Carlyle Group
Goldman Sachs
KSL Capital Partners
KKR
Monarch Alternative Capital
Morgan Stanley
Standard Chartered Bank
Work highlights
- Represented Brookfield in its $465m refinancing of its landmark Gas Company Tower in downtown Los Angeles.
- Represented Goldman Sachs, as lender, in a $905m senior and mezzanine financing of One SoHo Square, a 787,000-square-foot office and retail complex in Manhattan.
- Represented The Carlyle Group in the debt and equity recapitalization of the Hudson Yards Observation Deck, including the $509m acquisition of the property by the joint venture led by KKR and the refinancing of a $391M mortgage loan.
Dechert LLP
Dechert LLP routinely represents major lenders in the market on their CMBS issuances, mortgage and mezzanine loans, and the acquisition and disposition of interests in such loans including through syndication, purchase and sale of participations and B-pieces. The practice also has a solid offering in distressed debt and restructuring. Co-chair David Forti, based in Philadelphia, is a leading figure, having held positions in the CRE Finance Council; he represents lenders, issuers and funds in mezzanine financing, loan sales and purchases, work-outs and foreclosures. Fellow co-chair Richard Jones is based in New York and specializes in capital markets and mortgage finance. In the same office, Laura Swihart acts for issuers, underwriters, mortgage loan sellers and subordinate bond buyers in connection with commercial mortgage backed securitization transactions. Other key attorneys include Stewart McQueen, managing partner in Charlotte, Ken Hackman, Matthew B Ginsburg, and Nitya Kumar Goyal in Philadelphia, who is experienced in loan participations, co-lender arrangements and credit tenant lease financing. Craig Brown joined the practice from Duval & Stachenfeld LLP in early 2021.
Practice head(s):
David Forti; Richard Jones; Laura Swihart
Other key lawyers:
Stewart McQueen; Ken Hackman; Matthew Ginsburg; Craig Brown; Nitya Kumar Goyal
Key clients
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
BlackRock
Bridge Debt Strategies
Cerberus Capital Management
Citi
Credit Suisse
Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP
Deutsche Bank
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”)
J.P. Morgan
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
MF1 Capital
Wells Fargo
Work highlights
- Represented Citi as lead mortgage lender in connection with the origination of over $6.04 bn of floating-rate debt to finance the acquisition by special purpose entity subsidiaries of Blackstone of 19 data center properties through a take-private acquisition of QTS Realty Trust.
- Advised a major agricultural lender in connection with a $302.7m securitization of agricultural mortgage loans.
- Advised MF1 REIT II LLC and certain of its affiliates, as sponsor, issuer, co-issuer, retention holder and collateral manager, in connection with the issuance and offering of 6 classes of notes to investors, and the issuance of 3 classes of notes and 1 class of preferred shares to be retained by an affiliate of MF1 REIT II LLC. The MF1 2021-FL7 transaction is largest CRE CLO ever with a target principal balance of $2.25bn.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP maintains a solid market reputation in all areas of real estate finance and distressed asset workouts. Department co-chair Jesse Sharf in Century City represents lenders, REITs, developers and investors in workouts, whole loan sales, construction lending, mezzanine and CMBS lending. Fellow co-chair Erin Rothfuss in San Francisco, and Kahlil Yearwood advise on all lending and structured finance, private equity and workouts, particularly in office buildings, hotels, and residential property developments. Eric Feuerstein in the New York office is another highly sought after specialist in financings, debt purchases and acquisitions, as is Noam Haberman, for working out individual loans and entire capital structures for both lenders and borrowers.
Practice head(s):
Eric Feuerstein; Erin Rothfuss; Jesse Sharf
Other key lawyers:
Kahlil Yearwood; Noam Haberman
Key clients
Stockbridge Real Estate Funds
Hackman Capital Partners
Welltower
DivcoWest
Rockpoint
KKR Real Estate Finance Manager
EOS Investors
Kildare
Blackstone
Strategic Hotels & Resorts
Work highlights
- Represented EOS Investors in the $88m acquisition of Bethany Beach Ocean Suites (Residence Inn) and Holiday Inn Express Bethany Beach in Bethany Beach, Delaware.
- Advised Stockbridge in connection with an approximately $2bn acquisition and financing of a portfolio of 23 operating and under-development warehouse industrial properties comprising a 14.3 million square foot portfolio.
- Advised longtime client and leading institutional investment firm, DivcoWest, in connection with a $1bn joint venture with Denver-based company, Atlas Real Estate, for the acquisition, renovation and operation of single family rental properties across the Western United States.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Historically dominant in the CMBS space, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP continues to strengthen its expertise in syndicated, acquisition and construction lending, as well as loans backed by credit leases. Leading the practice from New York, Bonnie Neuman is a member of CREFC Women’s Network, and represents investment banks and investors across all facets of lending, in particularly in origination of mortgage and mezzanine loans, loan servicing, non-performing loan securitizations, and loan restructuring. Special counsel Nicholas Brandfon in the same office, is also of note. Also experienced in a wide variety of lending transitions, Holly Chamberlain in Charlotte is active in preferred equity investments in real estate joint ventures, unsecured real estate loans, single-family rental portfolios and workouts.
Practice head(s):
Bonnie Neuman
Other key lawyers:
Nicholas Brandfon; Holly Chamberlain
Key clients
Arbor Commercial Mortgage LLC
Bank of America, N.A.
Citi Real Estate Funding Inc.
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
HSBC Bank USA, N.A.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
U.S. Bank National Association
Work highlights
- Represented JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citi Real Estate Funding Inc., Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as lenders in a $3.15bn single-asset, single-borrower (SASB) securitized mortgage loan, secured by the Aria Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel and Spa.
- Representing Deutsche Bank Securities Inc and other lenders in an approximately $1bn mortgage loan secured by a portfolio of 110 hotel properties and certain land and ancillary assets in connection with the approximately $1.5bn pending acquisition of CorePoint Lodging Inc.
- Represented JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as lender in a $414m securitized mortgage loan to finance the acquisition of One Memorial Drive, a Class A office building located on the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts by MetLife Investment Management, the institutional asset management business of MetLife, Inc., and Norges Bank Investment Management, representing the largest single-asset U.S. office transaction to date in 2021.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP‘s New York-based team, led by Michael Barker , maintains solid activity in first mortgage loans, construction financing, portfolio loans, mezzanine financings and loan restructuring. Having built up its real estate practice, Barker has established himself as a top advisor to the firms’ major clients, such as Blackstone, Starwood Property Trust and JPMorgan on all their lending transactions. Michael Vines specializes in advising syndicate and balance sheet lenders on development, construction, and transitional loans. Suzanne deVries Decker, Nathaniel Lifschitz and Kabaye Liku are the other key partners for borrowers and lenders in mortgage, mezzanine, and preferred equity financings. Associate Matthew Bettinger also regularly counsels insurance companies and banks in construction financings.
Practice head(s):
Michael Barker
Other key lawyers:
Michael Vines; Suzanne deVries Decker; Nathaniel Lifschitz; Kabaye Liku; Matthew Bettinger
Testimonials
‘Exceptionally broad bench and vast breadth and depth of experience within the firm.’
‘Michael Barker is outstanding; Michael is a wealth of knowledge on complex construction loans and a master negotiator.’
‘They have the capability to handle the most complex of transactions, and a large enough bench to get things done on an accelerated schedule if necessary.’
‘All the members of the team that I have interacted with have been excellent. Of particular note is Kabaye Liku, who has worked on several long-lasting deals of ours. She always makes herself available for follow-up questions and modifications, no matter that she has a very busy practice.’
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Led by Howard Schreiber in Dallas together with New York-based Laurie Grasso and Brett Gross, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has been increasing its presence in acquisition, financing and development of affordable housing, and life sciences and health care sectors, parallel to its well-established commercial real estate lending and REIT practice. It is also highly knowledgeable on foreclosure on defaulted mortgage and mezzanine loans, deeds in lieu of foreclosure and the sale of REO properties. The practice also undertakes a significant amount of pro-bono work. Gross specializes in securitized and portfolio mortgage lending, mezzanine, construction and hospitality lending, and credit facilities, while New York-based Peter Mignone and Matthew Halal ‘s practice focuses on advises lenders and investor representation. Dallas’ key attorneys include Kathleen Wu, Kathleen Tarbox Muñoz and Raegan Watchman.
Practice head(s):
Howard Schreiber; Laurie Grasso; Brett Gross
Other key lawyers:
Peter Mignone; Matt Halal; Kathleen Wu; Kathleen Tarbox Muñoz; Raegan Watchman
Testimonials
‘The lawyers are very responsive, very knowledgeable and very creative in finding solutions to possible issues. They guide the lenders and provide options for solutions without dictating what to do.’
‘Brett Gross is a partner but is always involved in deals. He never loses focus of the deals (even if he has more junior people working on them) and is always available to discuss loan points. He and his team are very responsive. ‘
Key clients
Beal Bank
Chatham Lodging Trust
Knighthead Funding, LLC
Tishman Speyer
Raith Capital Partners LLC
Work highlights
- Represented CLMG Corp., as Agent for Beal Bank USA in numerous transactions around the United States valued over $500m.
- Represented institutional lenders with the origination of a $415m mortgage loan refinance secured by one of the largest shopping malls in southern California.
- Represented an institutional lender in connection with a $412.88m credit facility encumbering (initially) seven multifamily residential apartment buildings located in California, Texas, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
Morrison Foerster
Morrison Foerster is recognized for its expert handling of large syndicated term and construction loans and with deals involving multiple types of debt, as well as its strong involvement in convertible mortgages, mezzanine or layered debt/equity structures, conduit loans and loans originated for securitization, in addition to its knowledge of EB-5 and bond financing. Outside of the core syndicated, participated, and CMBS loan arrangement practice, global department chair Mark Edelstein is the go-to lawyer for debt restructurings and bankruptcies of high-profile real estate companies and developers. US real estate co-chairs Jeffrey Temple and Thomas Fileti in Los Angeles are key attorneys for REIT work and credit facilities of all types. Christopher Delson, Lawrence Ceriello, Keith Print, are all highly recommended, alongside of counsel Tushna Gamadia, for securitized lending, balance sheet lending and syndicated loan transactions. All lawyers are in San Francisco unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Mark Edelstein; Thomas Fileti; Jeffrey Temple
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Delson; Lawrence Ceriello; Keith Print; Tushna Gamadia
Testimonials
‘The team has a deep expertise and they come with solutions to problems.’
‘Highly accessible professionals. Well versed in market conditions and practices.’
‘This practice is well known in the market, sees many type deals for all the various lenders they cover. While not sharing industry secrets, they are well versed. Also if you need to syndicate a deal, their involvement helps sell the deal and the quality of the deal.’
Key clients
Brookfield
Capital One
CIBC World Markets
Citigroup
HSBC Bank
ING
JPMorgan
Wells Fargo
GLP Pte. Ltd.
Goldman Sachs
SoftBank
Standard Chartered
Tishman Speyer
Work highlights
- Represented Wells Fargo Bank as the lead in the $973m construction loan for the construction of Google’s new campus in Hudson Square in New York City.
- Represented JPMorgan in a $550m construction loan for the Salesforce Tower Chicago.
- Represented an insurance company in the origination of an approximately $430m first mortgage loan in connection with the acquisition by the borrower and its affiliates of a 14.3 million-square-foot logistics portfolio located across several states.
Eversheds Sutherland
Eversheds Sutherland‘ national practice maintains a spread of debt and equity transactional activity across every class of real estate asset; from construction and permanent mortgage loans, subordinate and mezzanine lending, A/B note structures and REIT work. A go-to for some of the firm’ most high profile clients, Washington DC-based co-chair Lisa Rosen works with portfolio lenders, commercial banks, CMBS master and special servicers, pension fund advisers, private equity funds. On the debt side, based in New York, co-head John Benson and John Busillo focus on securitized loans, affiliated debt products, and the resolution of non-performing or sub-performing real estate assets. Ellen Smith in Atlanta is also recommended for institutional debt and equity investment across all commercial real estate asset classes.
Practice head(s):
John Benson; Lisa Rosen
Other key lawyers:
John Busillo; Ellen Smith
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Greenberg Traurig, LLP acts on sophisticated commercial real estate loans and related credit facilities across all asset types with varying maturities and debt service coverage ratios. The practice is also active in restructuring of mortgage and mezzanine loans secured by interests in single or multiple property collateral pools, and is often seen representing purchasers of individual loans or pools of loans secured by real estate or interests in real estate and the resale, restructuring or exercise of remedies. Lenders, private equity funds, REITs, and institutional investors are particularly well represented in the firm’s client portfolio. In New York, co-chair Stephen Rabinowitz, Kristen Lonergan and Farah Ahmed have a balanced acquisition, development, financing practice. Michael Baum co-chairs the global real estate department from Chicago.
Practice head(s):
Stephen Rabinowitz; Michael Baum
Other key lawyers:
Kristen Lonergan; Farah Ahmed
Key clients
Adler Group
American Finance Trust, Inc.
Canada Life
Cindat USA LLC
Core Spaces
Davidson Kemper
Denihan Hospitality Group
Footprint Power LLC
GFI Capital
Hope Street Capital
Podium Developer LLC
ShareMD
SL Green Realty Corp.
Square Mile Capital Management LLC
Work highlights
- Representation of a student accommodation provider in the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of 28 student housing assets across the country.
- Advised a developer on a $124m construction loan obtained from Cerberus in connection with the construction and development of a multi use project located on Ann Street in Savannah, Georgia.
- Advised a developer in the acquisition and senior and subordinated acquisition financing of the property located at 75 Canal Street West, Bronx NY, for purpose of the development and construction of a new high school facility.
Jones Day
Jones Day‘s national real estate practice takes a lender-focused approach and is active across the whole spectrum of real estate financings, from construction to revolving and term loans, to mezzanine loans, CMBS loans, and tax-driven financings. On the borrower side, it is growing its portfolio with regular instructions from capital investors, hospitality owners, and private equity funds. Co-heads David Paulson and Richard Rosenblatt lead the bi-coastal practice from San Francisco and Atlanta, respectively. Additional noted attorneys include Michael Riess in Washington DC, who often leads on construction lending, syndicated and REIT financing, Gregory Carpenter in Irvine and John Rafkin in Chicago.
Practice head(s):
David Paulson; Richard Rosenblatt
Other key lawyers:
Michael Riess; John Rafkin; Gregory Carpenter
Key clients
Digital Bridge Holdings, LLC
Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC
Goldman Sachs Bank USA
KeyCorp.
Wells Fargo Bank, N. A.
Fifth Third Bank
Stonemont Financial Group
Webster Bank, N.A.
Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC
Henderson Park Capital
U.S. Bank National Association
RBC Capital Markets
Bank of America Corp.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, in connection with a $1.65bn unsecured credit facility, comprised of a $1.3bn revolving credit facility and a $350m term loan facility, provided to a self-administered real estate investment trust.
- Advised Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC in deals comprised of 19 construction and term loans and a corporate credit facility.
- Represented KeyBank National Association, as left lead arranger and administrative agent, in connection with a $1 billion sustainability-linked revolving credit facility provided by a syndicate of lenders to a publicly traded real estate investment trust.
Milbank
Milbank is best known for its work in high-profile UCC foreclosures and distressed debt workouts involving CMBS and complex capital stacks. The practice is also active at the cutting edge of originating mezzanine debt that is subordinate to senior construction financing and, together with the project finance practice, is noted for its data center financing work. Gaming and hospitality sector real estate financing is another core area of expertise. Practice head Kevin O’Shea, Erwin Dweck and mortgages, mezzanine, and equity investments specialist Yaakov Sheinfeld are the key attorneys in New York.
Practice head(s):
Kevin O’Shea
Other key lawyers:
Erwin Dweck; Yaakov Sheinfeld
Testimonials
‘Milbank’s real estate team is unique in their ability to creatively add value to our transactions and efficiently process work. I have not seen such a practical approach from other firms.’
‘Yaakov Sheinfeld is always the smartest and most articulate person in the room. He is unbelievably diligent. He has rare creativity and pragmatism. He’s been a true value-add to our business.’
Key clients
Monroe
PIMCO
HPS
SLG / Green Loan Services
Monarch
MLN
Cerberus
Work highlights
- Represented an affiliate of Monroe Capital Management Advisors, LLC in connection with the foreclosure of its loan secured by joint-venture equity interests owned by affiliates of H F Z Capital Group, in a portfolio of industrial, manufacturing and distribution facilities across the United States.
- Represented HPS Investment Partners as lender in connection with a mortgage loan and a mezzanine loan to 850 Third Avenue LLC, an affiliate of Chetrit Organization LLC.
- Represented a joint venture in the refinancing of a construction loan to an affiliate of The Hudson Companies for a luxury condominium building located at One Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights.
Arnold & Porter
Arnold & Porter co-head Steve Gliatta has deep experience advising on first mortgage loans, mezzanine financing, preferred equity investments and workouts. Louis Hait also acts for hedge funds, opportunity funds, and pension plans that provide mezzanine, preferred equity, and common equity joint venture investments. Washington DC-based co-head Amy Rifkind focuses on public-private partnerships, while Jeffrey Kapner is the other co-head. All partners are based in New York unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Steve Gliatta; Jeffrey Kapner; Amy Rifkind
Other key lawyers:
Louis Hait
Key clients
LoanCore Capital Credit LLC
Square Mile Capital Management LLC
Argentic Real Estate Finance LLC
Prime Finance Partners
KSL Capital
MUFG Union Bank
Société Générale
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Credit Agricole
Deutsche Bank
Criterion Real Estate Capital LLC
Blackstone Real Estate Services LLC
Work highlights
- Represented Credit Agricole in connection with a refinance of a leasehold interest in a mixed-use property which consists of 129 apartment units, 15,858 square feet of retail and 48 below grade parking spaces, is known as 13U Apartments and is located at 1310 U Street, in Washington, DC.
- Represented Criterion Real Estate Capital in its preferred equity investment in connection with the acquisition, construction and development of a residential condominium project in Tysons, Virginia.
- Advising Square Mile Capital in connection with a $205 million mortgage and mezzanine construction financing provided to Silverstein Properties and Taconic Partner for Hudson Research Center, a 322,000-square-foot, mixed-use property located in New York.
Ballard Spahr LLP
From Baltimore, Ballard Spahr LLP‘s practice-co-head Thomas Hauser counsels lenders, investors, borrowers, and other sources of capital in various financing structures and and restructuring of real estate-related assets. Co-head Siobhan O’Donnell in Los Angeles focuses on commercial real estate, and heads the CMBS loan origination team; she also advises on construction loans, preferred equity transactions and mezzanine loans. Jeffrey Page leads the New York office’s real estate finance team, specializing in all facets of real estate lending and restructuring work.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Jeffrey Page; Raymond Quaglia; Glenn Figurski; Kelly Wrenn
Testimonials
‘Two things stand out to me regarding Ballard Spahr – one is their people and the other is their use of technology to improve the client experience. All of the attorneys that i have dealt with over the past 15 years have been very knowledgeable, thoughtful, creative and responsive. They are problem solvers that help my company and i work through problem assets wand maximize recoveries. The dashboard that they have developed is very helpful. It is a “one stop shop” where my asset managers can access pleadings, motions, loan documents, correspondence on an asset by asset basis. To my knowledge, this is unique in the industry.’
‘Ray Quaglia is an excellent attorney who has represented me in a number of difficult matters. Glenn Figurski and Kelly Wrenn also both deserve a special mention.’
Key clients
Western Alliance Bank
Multiple Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Servicers
CGA Mortgage Capital
Regions Bank
Continental Realty Corporation
Work highlights
- Represented Regions Bank, the lead bank and administrative agent in connection with a syndicated construction loan to a newly formed joint venture.
- Advised CGA Mortgage Capital, the purchaser and lender in the sale, leaseback of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans new corporate headquarters located in Minneapolis.
- Advised Western Alliance Bank as the senior lender in the extension of an $200m Inventory and Construction Loan Facility for a Hilton branded timeshare hotel project in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP advises on a wide range of debt related matters including CMBS loans, syndicated, bridge loans, mezzanine financings, and workouts for commercial projects and residential subdivisions. The firm continues to stand out for its emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), recently appointing a dedicated lead partner on the issue. Also of note is the firm's global presence and accompanying capability in cross-border mandates. James Kousoulas chairs the practice from Irvine.
Practice head(s):
James Kousoulas
Key clients
Bank of West
Benefit Street Partners Realty
Trust Brookfield Asset Management
California Bank & Trust
Harbor Group International
Flagstar Bank
Ladder Capital
LMF Commercial
Nuveen Real Estate
Work highlights
- Represented California Bank & Trust, a full service bank specializing in business banking, in 15 deals totalling over $1bn involving residential subdivision construction, industrial bridge loans for industrial properties and bridge loans for multifamily assets.
Dentons
Benefiting from a global pool of real estate lawyers, Dentons is instructed by US and non-US borrowers in addition to banks, life insurance companies, debt funds, and other traditional and non-traditional lenders on a wide range of financing structures. In June 2021, the practice launched Dentons Global Advisors, comprised of industry leaders with the aim to form an integrated counsel to clients facing commercial, financial and regulatory challenges. New York based David Hall and Gary Goodman advise on construction and term financings, mezzanine financings and workouts, with Goodman recognized as an authority in LIBOR transition issues. Linda White chairs the US-wide real estate practice from Chicago.
Practice head(s):
Linda White
Other key lawyers:
David Hall; Garry Goodman
Testimonials
‘The Dentons team has worked hard to understand the personnel, systems and requirements of our institution. This knowledge and effort has been enormously useful to us. They have acted as close advisors to us with intimate knowledge of our needs, rather than simply as technical experts. ‘
‘They are all very fine lawyers, meticulous, collegial and friendly. Their sense of humor is a big plus.’
Key clients
Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale (Helaba)
United Overseas Bank
Midland Loan Services, a division of PNC Bank, National Association
Greenland US Holding, Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented Helaba in closing their first secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) loan, a $95m term loan secured by a 255-unit luxury apartment building in Jersey City, New Jersey.
- Represented Midland Loan Services in closing a consent to transfer of interests for a joint venture’s $600m -plus acquisition of 42 industrial and four office properties.
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
With a robust network of national offices, McDermott Will & Emery LLP has extensive experience advising investment banks, private equity and institutional lenders in complex structured finance transaction, and continues to be known for its handling of financing transactions involving iconic buildings in New York. David Broderick concentrates on mortgage and mezzanine financing, debt syndication, preferred equity and loan securitization transactions. Jeffrey Steiner chairs the global real estate department, with Keith Pattiz leading the finance sub-team. All attorneys are based in New York.
Practice head(s):
Keith Pattiz, Jeffrey Steiner
Other key lawyers:
David Broderick
Key clients
Angelo Gordon
Apollo Global Management
Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP
BentallGreenOak Strategic Capital Partners
BrightSpire Capital, Inc
DK Fund, LP – Draper & Kramer, Incorporated
Innovo Property Group
Ladder Capital Finance
Work highlights
- Advised a subsidiary of a real estate lender in connection with the restructuring of a senior mezzanine loan secured by interests in the owner of the Century Plaza development project in Los Angeles.
- Represented a real estate financing company in connection with its refinancing of a $360m mortgage construction loan for the development commonly known as Fifth + Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Advised Walton Street Capital, and its subsidiaries CWUSAA Mortgage Lender, LP and CWUSAA Mezzanine Lender, LP in connection with the origination of a mortgage loan and a mezzanine loan totaling approximately $130m, involving eight industrial warehouse properties located throughout the United States.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP has established itself as a specialist in healthcare real estate finance and distressed loan acquisition and disposition. Its capabilities range from permanent, bridge, and construction financings, through to CMBS and CLO financings, and government-sponsored enterprise lending, among others. New York’s Daniel Evans and Atlanta’s Jay Wardlaw co-chair the practice with Robin Freeman in San Francisco heading the health care finance side, and Arren Goldman in Charlotte focusing on distressed assets.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Evans; Jay Wardlaw
Other key lawyers:
Robin Freeman; Arren Goldman
Testimonials
‘Seyfarth’s real estate practice is cost efficient and constructive in helping to get transactions closed. Their practical appropriate to solving complex issues serves their clients well in ultimately bringing deals to a close.’
‘Seyfarth Shaw takes a very pragmatic and measured approach that facilitates excellent results and limits contentiousness in difficult negotiations.’
‘Jay Wardlaw and Dan Evans provide exceptional service. They are each incredibly responsive and eager to assist. I rely on their guidance without hesitation and find that our counterparties are always eager to work with them again.’
Key clients
LBA Realty
New York Life Insurance Company
John Hancock Life Insurance Company
Oliver St. Capital LLC
US Bank
Work highlights
- Represented LBA Realty in a $1.6bn recapitalization and financing of two industrial portfolios of 50+ total assets in eight states.
- Represented New York Life Insurance Company in an aggregate $171m loan for a 33-property portfolio mix of office, industrial, and retail properties located in California and Nevada.
- Advised John Hancock Life Insurance Company in a $145m acquisition and financing of a 722-unit Class A apartment project in Denver, Colorado.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP‘s lawyers have a notable focus on real estate fund structuring and capital formation, and regularly act for the largest private REITs, institutional and private investors and banks. The national practice added Los Angeles based partners Peter Ballance and Lorie Lazarus in October 2020, both joining from Katten. A trusted counsel for investors and funds, Brian Diamond‘s key clients include J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Oaktree Capital Management. Michael McCarthy and Evan Hudson focus on mortgage and mezzanine financings and REITs, respectively. All figures are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
Practice head(s):
Brian Diamond
Other key lawyers:
Michael McCarthy; Evan Hudson; Peter Ballance; Lorie Lazarus
Key clients
UBS Asset Management
J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
Brookfield Real Estate Financial Partners
Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
Bank of America, N.A.
Verizon
Mesa West Capital
Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Pfizer, Inc.
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
CBRE Global Real Estate Investors
Farmers & Merchants Bank
AEW Capital Management
Work highlights
- Represented JPM and affiliates of Fisher Brothers in the closing of a mortgage and mezzanine loan from Morgan Stanley in the original principal amounts of $309m million and $91m, respectively, in connection with an office property located at 605 Third Avenue in New York City.
- Represented an affiliate of a mezzanine debt fund in providing a mezzanine loan up to $60m on The Crescent located in Dallas, Texas.
- Advised a college on a leaseback and financing arrangement with CGA Mortgage Capital and The University Financing Foundation with respect to the college’s residence hall.
McGuireWoods LLP
McGuireWoods LLP is noted for its strong representation of lenders in the origination and sale of multifamily mortgage loans to government-backed enterprise lenders; a key specialization for Los Angeles-based Alice Youngbar. In the New York office, practice head Dennis Mensi has extensive experience in affordable housing deals, and is also a key member of the COVID-19 task force, providing financial counsel for lenders on all related real estate challenges. Thomas Lansen is another key figure in the same office, highlighted for his work for commercial and investment banks in connection with their origination of commercial real estate loans intended for securitization or other sale on the secondary market.
Practice head(s):
Dennis Mensi
Other key lawyers:
Alice Youngbar; Thomas Lansen
Testimonials
‘Incredibly responsive and great to work with. Highly competent attorneys. Reasonable billing practices.’
‘Dennis Mensi’s experience, in my opinion, is rarely matched. We use a number of different counsel for our CMBS loan origination practice but Dennis is our go-to lawyer for thorny issues. He is always will to lend a hand on thorny issues, even when McGuireWoods is not handling the transaction.’
Dickinson Wright PLLC
With a wide geographic coverage across the Midwest, Dickinson Wright PLLC‘s national practice is sought after for its expertise financing development projects, CMBS and GSE loans, multi-state sale-leaseback transactions, synthetic leases, and public and tax-exempt bond financing. Representation of lenders and borrowers in commercial mortgage transactions is a key area of strength. Based in Troy, practice chair Katheryne Zelenock is highly recommended for commercial and multifamily mortgage loans.
Practice head(s):
Katheryne Zelenock
Testimonials
‘DW has been my primary firm for commercial real estate transactions as single counsel for Fannie/Freddie loans we originate. Kathy Zelenock and her team always deliver outstanding service, even in the most complex situations. All of this is accomplished while preserving a reasonable cost to the borrower. ‘
Key clients
Greystone Servicing Company/Arbor Agency
Lending/Pinnacle Bank
Kaufman Development
RockBridge Capital
Lument, Inc.
D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments, Ranger Power
Work highlights
- Advising Greystone Servicing Company/Arbor Agency Lending/Pinnacle Bank on closing more than 200 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily and manufactured housing mortgage loans in more than 25 states.
- Represented Kaufman Development in a $170m construction loan, working on a seven tier loan structure with PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing, grants, bond issuance, conventional loans, and mezzanine debt for the multi-phase residential/office and retail Gravity project in downtown Franklinton.
- Advised RockBridge Capital on a $70m construction loan for the Scioto Peninsula, a very large development adjacent to downtown Columbus involving multiple developers and development types (office, hotel, retail, residential), incorporating PACE dollars, grants, and mezzanine debt.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP has a strong presence in the New York, California and Texas real estate markets, utilizing a vast network of offices to represent lenders and borrowers of debt and equity capital in all types of financing transactions. Led by all-round real estate specialist Rachel Horsch in San Francisco, with the assistance of Los Angeles based Emily Bias, who focuses on tax-advantaged investment and affordable housing; and Steven Hamilton in San Diego, who primarily acts for lenders in originating, restructuring, construction, term and permanent loans. On the east cost, New York’s Caroline Harcourt represents lenders in connection with the origination, securitization, sale and purchase of mortgage and mezzanine loans and the negotiation of inter-creditor, co-lender and participation agreements in multi-tiered debt stacks.
Practice head(s):
Rachel Horsch
Other key lawyers:
Emily Bias; Steven Hamilton; Caroline Harcourt
Key clients
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Icahn Partners L.P. and Icahn Partners Master Fund L.P.
Klövern AB
Prima Capital Advisors LLC
Daishin
Shorenstein
Work highlights
- Represented Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in connection with the mortgage refinancing of luxury resort property in Hawaii.
- Assisting a developer in advocacy to underwrite a C-PACE financing along with a HUD guaranteed financing, and also seek to establish developer’s rights following several “force majeure” events.