The ‘extremely knowledgeable, professional and communicative‘ team at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is among the preeminent practices in the US for lenders and borrowers on large and high-profile transactions, including CMBS, mezzanine financing, loan syndications, construction and development loans and restructuring and workouts. Recent mandates saw Kimberly Blacklow represent 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. Elsewhere, Michael Weinberger and Joseph Lanzkron advised Goldman Sachs as co-lender in the origination of a $1.1bn mortgage loan to an affiliate of Hackman Capital Partners and Square Mile Capital in the acquisition of the CBS Studio Center film and television production studio campus in Los Angeles. Daniel Reynolds is the go-to partner for several of Brookfield Real Estate Finance Partners’ financings. Aron Zuckerman is likewise highlighted for his expertise in securitized, balance sheet, bridge and construction loans. All lawyers are based in New York.
Real estate finance in United States
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Practice head(s):
Steve Wilner; Daniel Reynolds
Other key lawyers:
Kimberly Blacklow; Michael Weinberger; Joseph Lanzkron; Aron Zuckerman
Testimonials
‘Extremely knowledgeable, professional and communicative.’
‘Great level of responsiveness; deep bench of attorneys that can be staffed; market knowledge; ability and willingness to offer recommendations when issues arise.’
‘Aron Zuckerman has emerged as our fund’s “go-to” attorney for complicated transactions.’
Key clients
AIG Investments / Corebridge Financial
AllianceBernstein
Argent Ventures
Banco Inbursa
Bank of Montreal
Brookfield Asset Management
The Carlyle Group
Citibank
Goldman Sachs
JPMorgan Chase
KSL Capital Partners
KKR
Monarch Alternative Capital
Morgan Stanley
MSD Capital
Standard Chartered Bank
Work highlights
- Advised Brookfield, as mezzanine lender, in the financing of ILPT’s $4 billion acquisition of Monmouth Real Estate Investment Trust.
- Advised Goldman Sachs, as lead lender, in a financing package totaling approximately $2.4 billion, in connection with PIMCO’s $3.9 billion acquisition of Columbia Property Trust, which included three separate mortgage loans and related mezzanine loans on both stabilized and transitional properties.
- Acted for Brookfield, as borrower, in the origination of a $2.4 billion mortgage financing made by Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Barclays, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase and secured by Ala Moana Center.
Dechert LLP
With national coverage, Dechert LLP is highly reputed for its expertise in origination of commercial real estate loans including mortgage and mezzanine loans, purchase and sale of participations and B-pieces seeking leverage through repo and other technologies, including CRE CLOs and other securitization solutions. The firm routinely acts for issuers, underwriters and asset sellers in CMBS and standalone securitizations of loans, often advising banks as lender’s counsel. Co-chair of the global practice, David Forti in Philadelphia works alongside New York’s Laura Swihart on complex commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions, work-outs and foreclosures. Also in New York, Richard Jones is recommended for capital markets and mortgage finance, and Laura Ciabarra for on construction and transitional lending. Stewart McQueen in Charlotte heads the commercial mortgage-backed securities practice. In Philadelphia, Kenneth Hackman is noted for origination and securitization of single-family rental (SFR) loans, repurchase facilities and warehouse facilities. Nitya Kumar Goyal and counsel Victoria Boland are likewise noted for credit tenant lease financing, and mezzanine financings and subordinate debt.
Practice head(s):
David Forti; Laura Swihart
Other key lawyers:
Richard Jones; Stewart McQueen; Laura Ciabarra; Kenneth Hackman; Nitya Kumar Goyal; Victoria Boland
Key clients
Cerberus Capital Management
Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp
Credit Suisse Group AG
CVI REIT I, LLC
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Goldman Sachs
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
Merchants Capital Corp.
MF1 Capital
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.
Santander
Société Générale
SMBC
Starwood Property Trust Inc.
TD Bank
Wells Fargo
Work highlights
- Represented Freddie Mac Freddie Mac, as Depositor, Guarantor and Master Servicer, in connection with the $316 million securitization of Tax-Exempt Loans (TELs) made by state or local housing agencies and secured by affordable rental housing.
- Advised a lender consortium, including Goldman Sachs, Citibank, Wells Fargo, Barclays, Santander, TD Bank, Société Générale, SMBC and BMO, in the $12 billion financing of KKR and GIP’s $15 billion take-private acquisition of global data center operator CyrusOne Inc.
- Represented Citibank, UBS, Bank of America, Bank of Montreal and Morgan Stanley, as co-lenders, in connection with the origination of three different capital stacks including mortgage and mezzanine loans totalling $4 billion in connection with a public to private acquisition of Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation by Industrial Logistics Properties Trust.
Morrison Foerster
Housing a ‘seasoned bench of attorneys with deep knowledge and a unique command of the real estate finance practice area‘ Morrison Foerster is well-equipped to handle sophisticated financing for hotel, office, condo, industrial, life sciences, student housing, senior living, and residential developments. Construction loans, conventional mortgages, loans involving interest rate swaps, net lease and other credit lease financing, are growing areas of activity. From New York, Mark Edelstein chairs the global real estate group and is an expert in CMBS loan arrangements, mezzanine financing, preferred equity, and complex intercreditor and co-lender agreements. As co-head of the distressed real estate practice, he is also well-placed to advise on debt restructurings and bankruptcies of high-profile real estate companies and developers. Both Edelstein and leader of the US practice, Jeffrey Temple , also in New York, are ‘standout attorneys in the industry‘- Temple’s practice spans all transactional work, and frequently advises on loan restructurings and workouts. For construction financing and securitized lending, Keith Print and of counsel Tushna Gamadia, are the other key New York-based attorneys. In Miami, fellow co-chair, Thomas Fileti is the go-to counsel for REIT clients.
Practice head(s):
Mark Edelstein; Jeffrey Temple; Thomas Fileti
Other key lawyers:
Keith Print; Tushna Gamadia
Testimonials
‘The team is extremely knowledgeable and offers creative solutions to unique real estate financing transactions. I tend to use MoFo for more complexed and structured transactions.’
‘The firm’s team is really well regarded. They are thought of as industry leaders, hosting seminars and accepted by many lenders.’
‘Jeff Temple and Mark Edelstein are key leaders for the practice. They are always available to strategize and work through complex issues.’
‘Jeff Temple and Mark Edelstein-both are standout attorneys in the industry. Their personal involvement overall, in deals , latest topics and with clients. They are a go to firm for us.’
‘MoFo is the industry leader for representing banks and lenders.’
‘Very personable, attentive and strong legal/market understanding.’
‘Great temperament, top tier knowledge and they greatly help the closing process/understand firms they work with.’
‘Morrison Foerster has a seasoned bench of attorneys with deep knowledge and a unique command of the real estate finance practice area. They bring a highly trained legal perspective and business understanding to every deal at every stage and every turn. The team is thoughtful, careful and deliberate, and pays meticulous attention to detail. They consider every angle but always remain practical and commercial in their approach with a well-developed sense of the big picture and are able to craft workable solutions and reach reasonable compromises.’
Key clients
Capital One
CIBC World Markets
Citigroup
GLP
HSBC
ING
JPMorgan
M&T Bank
PCCP
PNC
Santander
Société Générale
SoftBank
Sound Point Capital Management
Standard Chartered
TIAA/Nuveen
Tishman Speyer
Wells Fargo
Work highlights
- Represented Société Générale and Standard Chartered Bank in a $2.11 billion senior secured portfolio mortgage financing of 155 industrial properties located in 19 states comprising 30.6 million square feet.
- Represented Wells Fargo in its role as the administrative agent and lead arranger of a |$1.8 billion construction loan for an office and retail tower located at 50 Hudson Yards.
- Represented JP Morgan Chase Bank as the largest secured lender in the chapter 11 cases of Professional Financial Investors, Inc. (PFI) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has a strong lender-side advisory practice, focusing on mortgage and mezzanine loans, syndicated, construction, convertible loans, and loans backed by credit and those secured by ground leases. The firm also has a historic record in the CMBS space. Leading the group from New York, Bonnie Neuman is a leading counsel for global investment banks, national and international financial institutions, investors and servicers in domestic and cross-border transaction, notably representing lenders in a $1.04bn mortgage loan secured by a portfolio of 109 select-service hotel properties. In the same office, Nicholas Brandfon is experienced in loan restructuring and bankruptcy-related matters, particularly those involving office, hotel, condominium and retail properties. In Charlotte, Holly Chamberlain’s practice is concentrated on lender representation across the full range of financing of office, retail, hotel, multi-family, industrial and skilled nursing facilities through to single asset as well as multi-state and multi-property transactions.
Practice head(s):
Bonnie Neuman
Other key lawyers:
Holly Chamberlain; Nicholas Brandfon
Key clients
ACRES Capital
AIG Asset Management (U.S.), LLC
Arbor Commercial Mortgage LLC
Bank of America, N.A.
Barclays
Citi
Credit Suisse AG
Deutsche Bank
Freddie Mac
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.
Oceanview Life and Annuity Company
U.S. Bank National Association
Work highlights
- Represented a syndicate of lenders in a $3 billion securitized mortgage loan to refinance the newly developed One Vanderbilt skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan.
- Represented Goldman Sachs Bank USA, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC and Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc. as lenders in a $2.23 billion securitized mortgage loan secured by 49 distribution, office and manufacturing properties located across 30 states.
- Represented Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc., Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as lenders in a $1.2 billion securitized mortgage loan secured by 196 extended-stay hotels in 22 states to recapitalize the InTown Suites hotel chain for a joint venture between Starwood Capital and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Historically known for its lender-side work, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is strengthening its borrower-side offering with a steady uptick of new instructions on sophisticated transactions, including secured and unsecured credit facilities, mezzanine financings and collateralized mortgage-backed securities transactions, and is also increasingly instructed on construction financing. Practice co-heads Michael Barker and Michael Vines advise in connection with foreclosures, workouts, restructuring, deed-in-lieu transactions and discounted pay-offs. Kabaye Liku and special counsel Matthew Bettinger are active in origination and restructuring of mortgage and mezzanine loans and in the purchase and sale of mortgage and subordinated debt. Suzanne deVries Decker has developed an expertise in the negotiation of complex co-lender and intercreditor arrangements, including with respect to historic tax credits, also advising clients on the real estate aspects of M&A, including specifically analyzing asset level financings in connection with REIT “take privates”.
Practice head(s):
Michael Barker; Michael Vines
Other key lawyers:
Kabaye Liku; Suzanne deVries Decker; Matthew Bettinger
Key clients
Brookfield
Citigroup
Meadow Partners
Morgan Stanley
Starwood Property Trust
The Children’s Investment Fund (“TCI”)
Work highlights
- Advising Morgan Stanley Bank in connection with a mortgage loan of approximately $1.2 billion to subsidiaries of Starwood Real Estate Income Trust, Inc.
- Advising The Children’s Investment Fund in connection with the ongoing distressed default loan workout, guarantee enforcement, foreclosure and sale of the loan in excess of $ 300 million.
- Advising Citi, as lead lender for a syndicate of lenders negotiating a loan commitment of up to $4 billion and related fee arrangements in connection with the proposed refinancing of a 101-site industrial portfolio owned by Industrial Logistics Properties Trust and the financing of ILPT’s acquisition from Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp. of a 111-site industrial portfolio.
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Led by a trio of well-respected market figures, Howard Schreiber in Dallas and Laurie Grasso and Brett Gross in New York, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP continues to grow its offering its offering in affordable housing, life sciences and health care sectors. The firm routinely represents secondary market participants in the purchase and sale of real estate debt instruments, as well as advising a domestic and international lenders on financing of office, retail, industrial, hotel, data centers, multifamily and mixed-use properties. It also has significant experience with workouts and restructurings of existing financings, foreclosure on defaulted mortgage and mezzanine loans and the sale of REO properties. Peter Mignone and Matthew Halal are the other key figures in New York, and are recommended for mortgage, mezzanine, hospitality and construction lending.
Practice head(s):
Howard Schreiber; Laurie Grasso; Brett Gross
Other key lawyers:
Peter Mignone; Matt Halal
Key clients
Beal Bank
Chatham Lodging Trust
Industrial Logistics Properties Trust
Tishman Speyer
Work highlights
- Represented Beal Bank USA in numerous transactions around the United States valued over $500 million.
- Represented a REIT with the refinancing of $1.1 billion bridge mortgage loan secured by over 100 industrial properties in 31 states and a $135 million bridge mezzanine loan.
- Represented two institutional lenders in connection with the origination of a $118.5 million fixed-rate mortgage loan secured by an office building located in Houston, Texas, as well as with the origination of a $513.5 million fixed-rate SASB mortgage loan secured by an office building located in San Jose, California.
Jones Day
Jones Day acts for a roster of numerous real estate lenders and its equally strong borrower-side offering, advising on small to multi-billion-dollar transactions across the full spectrum of real estate financings. CMBS and mezzanine loans, mixed debt/financings, and tax-driven financings are key areas of instruction. San Francisco’s David Paulson specializes in lender representation with respect to both the origination and restructuring of construction, secured and unsecured financings and in the participation and syndication of loans, particularly for hotel properties, golf resorts, and shopping malls. He also has a an extensive background in REIT finance, hospitality finance and homebuilder lines of credit. For bilateral and syndicated real estate finance, head of practice Richard Rosenblatt in Atlanta is a sought-after attorney. John Rafkin in Chicago, Michelle Brown in Dallas and Michael Riess in Washington DC are active in the financing of office, retail and hospitality properties.
Practice head(s):
David Paulson; Richard Rosenblatt
Other key lawyers:
John Rafkin; Michelle Brown; Michael Riess
Key clients
Bank of America Corp.
Citizens Bank, N.A.
Fifth Third Bank
Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC
Stonemont Financial Group
U.S. Bank, National Association
Webster Bank
Wells Fargo Bank
Work highlights
- Represented Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent on an amendment and accordion of a $ 1.1 billion syndicated revolving credit facility to a publicly traded homebuilder.
- Represented Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent on the modification and upsize of a $982 million revolver and term loan facility secured by more than 100 industrial properties in multiple jurisdictions across the U.S.
- Advised Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Securities on the $750 million unsecured term loan facility provided to a real estate investment fund, comprised of two tranches, one of which was a “Green” loan to be used consistent with Green Loan Principles and for qualifying Green projects.
Eversheds Sutherland
Leveraging ‘great knowledge in the fields of development and construction‘, Eversheds Sutherland‘s real estate group regularly represent both lenders and borrowers in connection with construction and permanent mortgage loans, which is a key specialty of Atlanta partners Virginia Worthy and Kevin Thomas. In the same office, William Rothschild brings deep experience in CMBS financing and real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC) issues for lenders, servicers, institutional investors, developers and tenants, and routinely represents Microsoft Corporation on various development and data center financing transactions. Over in New York, John Busillo advises on the origination, restructuring, workout, sale and purchase of commercial mortgage loans headed for securitization or previously securitized or held for portfolio. Practice co-heads John Benson and Lisa Rosen, based in Washington DC, likewise focus on securitized commercial real estate loans, affiliated debt products, structured finance and the resolution of non-performing or sub-performing real estate assets. New York associate James Murphy is noted for his work banks and lenders in foreclosure proceedings and managing large foreclosure portfolios.
Practice head(s):
John Benson; Lisa Rosen
Other key lawyers:
Virginia Worthy; Kevin Thomas; William Rothschild; John Busillo; James Murphy
Testimonials
‘Great knowledge in the fields of development and construction.’
‘Virginia (Jenny) Worthy and William Rothchild are recommended.’
Key clients
Allianz SE
Work highlights
- Advised Allianz in entering into an agreement to reinsure a US$35 billion fixed index annuity portfolio that its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, has written.
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
McDermott Will & Emery LLP‘s Illinois and California offices have seen significant growth under the leadership of David Wolff in Chicago and Mal Serure in Los Angeles, welcoming Justin Bender to the Chicago office from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in February 2022, and a number of associates to the Los Angeles office. New York-based practice head Keith Pattiz is a recognized practitioner in the hospitality sector, representing numerous owners, operators and developers in their financing management agreements, retail leasing and all financing transactions. Also in New York, Scott Weinberg and David Broderick have extensive experience counselling specialty finance companies and REIT’s in the origination of commercial mortgage loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity, alongside securitizations, mortgage loan repurchase/warehouse facilities, and syndications.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
David Wolff; Mal Serure; Scott Weinberg; Scott Weinberg; Justin Bender
Key clients
Ladder Capital Finance
Silverstein Capital Partners
RFR Holding LLC
Natixis, New York Branch
Natixis Real Estate Capital
Arbor Realty Trust
S3 Capital (affiliate of Spruce Capital Partners)
Work highlights
- Represented Ladder Capital in connection with amendments to appx. $1.5 billion of liquidity facilities to accommodate transitions from LIBOR to market-driven alternative rate environments.
- Represented Silverstein Capital Partners in the origination of a $600 million mortgage and mezzanine loan financing package to Wildflower Development and Meadow Partner.
- Advised Natixis, New York Branch, in the origination and later syndication of an $162.5 million mortgage and mezzanine loan to an affiliate of American Real Estate Partners (AREP) for the office property known as 1600 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Arnold & Porter
Bringing deep experience to Arnold & Porter‘s real estate finance group, practice head Steve Gliatta acts on behalf of leading financial institutions and non-bank lenders on first mortgage loans, mezzanine financing, preferred equity investments, and restructurings and workouts, throughout the US. Louis Hait lends his extensive experience in negotiating inter-creditor and co-lender agreements, and acquiring portfolios of performing and non-performing loans, and is also involved in representing hedge funds, opportunity funds, and pension plans that provide mezzanine, preferred equity, and common equity joint venture investments. Co-head Jeffrey Kapner has led numerous workouts and restructurings of complex senior debt, mezzanine financing, construction loans, distressed loans and asset sales.
Practice head(s):
Steve Gliatta; Jeffrey Kapner; Amy Rifkind
Other key lawyers:
Louis Hait
Key clients
Square Mile Capital Management
Brennan Investment Group
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Criterion Real Estate Capital
AWH Partners
LoanCore Capital Credit, LLC
Argentic Real Estate Investment LLC
Blackstone Real Estate
Grandview Partners
Citibank
National Bank of Kuwait, S.A.K.P.
USAA Real Estate Company
Prime Finance Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in connection with the purchase of the HRR piece and senior mezzanine loan for a portfolio of 17 industrial assets totalling 9.4 million square feet across the US.
- Represented Brennan Investment Group in the sale/recapitalization of a portfolio of 40 industrial properties located throughout the country.
- Advised Square Mile Capital Management in structuring and closing a $142 million construction loan to a joint venture between Property Markets Group and Greybrook Realty Partners for Society Wynwood.
Ballard Spahr LLP
Ballard Spahr LLP ‘delivers an excellent blend of thorough knowledge of the law with commercial business savviness’, led by a sizeable national group of real estate and real estate finance experts, which includes Siobhan O’Donnell in Los Angeles; Thomas Hauser and Amy McClain in Baltimore together with Dominic De Simone in Philadelphia. The team is active on structuring, negotiating, documenting, closing, and servicing a broad range of real estate finance transactions, and routinely represent REITs and developers as borrowers in single- and multi-property loan transactions as well as in joint venture and preferred equity transactions. The firm has also expanded its work in the distressed assets and opportunities space.
Practice head(s):
Dominic De Simone; Amy McClain; Siobhan O’Donnell; Thomas Hauser
Testimonials
‘Ballard Spahr delivers an excellent blend of thorough knowledge of the law with commercial business savvy.’
Key clients
Colliers Mortgage LLC
Combined Properties, Inc.
CGA Mortgage Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Colliers Mortgage on a multifamily project located in Duluth, MN.
- Representing Combined Properties in the sale of three commercial shopping centers located in Southern California, and the purchase of a multifamily property located in Virginia, utilizing a 1031 like-kind exchange.
- Acted for the lender, CGA Mortgage Capital in the construction financing for a new biotech research facility located in Pasadena, California.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Known for its nationwide and international capabilities, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner represents regulated banks, debt funds, life insurance companies, private lenders and CMBS lenders in all aspects of commercial real estate finance. The practice also continues to grow its borrower-side offering, with new instructions from developers. In its Irvine office, practice head James Kousoulas specializes in securitized loan transactions, mezzanine financings, secured and unsecured real estate and asset-based borrowing facilities. In New York, regional practice head, Andrew Auerbach and William Campbell are the key contacts.
Practice head(s):
James Kousoulas; Andrew Auerbach
Other key lawyers:
William Campbell
Key clients
Bank of West
Benefit Street Partners Realty Trust
Brookfield Asset Management
Zions Bancopration, N.A., dba California Bank & Trust
Harbor Group International
Flagstar Bank
Ladder Capital
LMF Commercial
RCG Longview Management
Rialto Capital Management
Voya Investment Management
East West Bank
Dentons
Chaired by Linda White from Chicago, Dentons is well-known for its international presence and its extensive portfolio of blue-chip clients, from US and non-US borrowers, life insurance companies, through to debt funds, and non-traditional lenders. The same office also houses Steve Davidson, who is an expert in construction and term loans secured by office and retail buildings, hotels, residential and mixed-use projects and vacant land. Elsewhere, in New York, Gary Goodman routinely represents agent banks in syndicated loans. David Hall co-chairs the global practice, also from New York, and acts for banks and institutional investors in relation to commercial real estate loan origination, purchase, sale and servicing.
Practice head(s):
Linda White; David Hall
Other key lawyers:
Steve Davidson; Gary Goodman
Testimonials
‘The RE group has made concerted efforts to familiarize itself with our structure, policies and procedures and personnel/personalities, to great effect. It has helped us draft first class transactional document forms. ’
‘We work with Gary Goodman and Steve Davidson. They are outstanding lawyers, personable and attentive.’
Key clients
Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale (Helaba)
United Overseas Bank
PNC Bank
KeyBank
Asia Capital Real Estate (ACRE)
Guggenheim Partners
Midland Loan Services, a division of PNC Bank, National Association
Van Tuyl Companies
Gulf Islamic Investments (GII)
Academy Bank
Work highlights
- Represented KeyBank for more than a decade, advising on complex real estate finance transactions in excess of nearly $10 billion.
- Represented Guggenheim in connection with a $1 billion loan secured by Extell Development for the development of a property referred to as Central Park West in New York City.
- Represented ACRE in its first commercial real estate asset collateralized loan obligation (CLO) in the amount of $875.6 million.
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP‘s real estate finance department is headed by New York-based Julian Wise and has an equally-weighted lender and borrower practice. Notably active in commercial and mezzanine lending, Wise and Seth Henslovitz , also in New York, continues to advise Mack Real Estate Group in the financings of 700 North Miami, part of the largest private development underway in Miami, Florida. The group also represents New York landlords, office and retail tenants, in sophisticated lease negotiations.
Practice head(s):
Julian Wise
Other key lawyers:
Seth Henslovitz
Testimonials
‘While we’ve been greatly privileged working with real estate team of Schulte since 2019, what makes this team unique is true professionalism this team has shown us, which has been consistent and persistent. This team has been always willing to stay on the same page with us to ensure proper understanding of what we need. The nature and degree of satisfaction with this team has been progressive version, and we’d be happy to work with them for further transactions.’
‘My group has been interacting with Seth Henslovitz. Aside from his professionalism being off the charts, he have always been available even at relatively odd times to represent us to try to achieve exactly what our firm wishes to have from our standpoint.’
Key clients
Dalan Management
Fontainebleau Development
The Carlyle Group
The Spectrum Group
Blackstone Mortgage Trust
Hawkins Way Capital
Mack Real Estate Group
Meritz Securities
Monday Properties
The Festival Companies
WAM Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Blackstone as lender to 545Wyn, a 298,000 square foot creative office and retail building developed by Sterling Bay and located at 545 NW 26th Street in Miami.
- Represented Mack Real Estate Group in cross-defaulted mortgage and mezzanine loans in the aggregate amount of $262.5 million to affiliates of TA Partners in connection with the ground-up construction of two residential complexes in Irvine, California.
- Advised Blackstone Mortgage Trust in $228 million of mortgage and mezzanine financing to Tishman Speyer for the acquisition and development of eight multi-family buildings in downtown Santa Monica, California.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP ‘goes the extra mile for their clients’ with ‘an uncanny ability to maintain proper perspective when considering risks and obstacles associated with a transaction.’ Capital market loans, including CMBS and CLO financings, health care finance, government-sponsored enterprise lending, mezzanine and A/B tiered structures are among its key areas of work, with the firm also noted for its focus on evolving areas, such as infrastructure investment and construction, data centers, health care, and Delaware statutory trusts, as well as cannabis and opportunity zone funds. Daniel Evans in New York and Atlanta’s Jay Wardlaw co-head the practice.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Evans; Jay Wardlaw
Testimonials
‘Seyfarth’s Real Estate Finance Practice goes the extra mile for their clients to ensure results are consistency delivered in a way that meets (if not exceeds) expectations. The Real Estate Finance Group quickly navigates complex, novel legal issues by providing creative, results-oriented solutions. They enable deals to be done and goals to be accomplished, rather than simply identifying obstacles, risks and blockers.’
‘The Real Estate Finance Group has an uncanny ability to maintain proper perspective when considering risks and obstacles associated with a transaction. They work collaboratively with their clients, even when at inconvenient times or on short notice, to move deals forward. They are vigilant in identifying real risks, while quickly setting aside issues of no lasting consequence. They understand each client’s business goals and objectives and help client’s identify and pursue options that are tailored to optimize their chances for success.’
‘Dan Evans is an outstanding resource who is both extremely knowledgeable, client service driven and a great negotiator who is able to keep temperatures down.’
‘Exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled personnel that connect the dots from legal to business management. A broad and deep bench that can bring the right resources to the task at hand.’
‘Seyfarth’s team is very client focused. They provide useful business advice, not just complex legal advice and documents that then require additional legal hours to help the business manager decipher what was provided.’
‘The real estate finance team at Seyfarth has broad depth of experience, with a large network of supporting specialties to address any issue that may arise.’
Key clients
New York Life Insurance Company
Bain Capital/Oliver St. Capital
RAL Development Services LLC
G Peg I, LLC
Auburn Building Associates LP
Summit Gold Inc.
Epire LLC
NexGen Housing Partners LLC
Kensington Development Partners Inc.
Acadia Realty Trust
Work highlights
- Advised Bain Capital/Oliver St. Capital in a thirteen-property industrial portfolio refinancing provided by KKR in the amount of $285.5 million, which was secured by a number of large industrial properties in the Greater Boston area.
- Represented New York Life Insurance Company in a $188.4 million loan secured by an office building in Washington, DC.
- Represented RAL Development Services LLC in a $170 million refinance of a construction loan for an office building located at 124 E. 14th Street in Manhattan.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP is instructed by high-profile real estate funds and asset managers, as seen in its work representing JPM’s Strategic Property Fund in the closing of the sale of One Memorial Drive. Primarily based in New York, the practice acts on a significant amount of large-scale financings, development projects and complex lease agreements across the US. Brian Diamond and Washington DC-based Jeff Keitelman co-lead the team, while Michael McCarthy‘s focused lender and borrower-side practice concentrates on mortgage and mezzanine financings secured by commercial real estate. In Los Angeles, Lorie Soares Lazarus is the key figure.
Practice head(s):
Jeff Keitelman; Brian Diamond
Other key lawyers:
Michael McCarthy; Lorie Soares Lazarus
Key clients
UBS Asset Management
J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (client for over 30 years)
Brookfield Real Estate Financial Partners
CPP Investments
Bank of America, N.A.
Verizon
Mesa West Capital
Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Pfizer, Inc.
iStar/Safehold, Inc.
Farmers & Merchants Bank
AEW Capital Management
Beach Point Capital Management LP
Work highlights
- Advised CPP Investments on the $2.1 billion sale of St. John’s Terminal to tech giant Google, representing the largest New York City property sale in three years.
Cox, Castle & Nicholson
Cox, Castle & Nicholson represents a varied mix of mezzanine and senior lenders, borrowers and investors, in acquisition, development, construction, bridge and permanent loan transactions, including credit line facilities. Capital markets specialist and c0-head of practice, Adam Weissburg is experienced in multi-state portfolios and loan originations that leveraged with other capital providers. Fellow co-head, Caroline Dreyfus who has deep experience supporting lenders and borrowers nationwide on a variety of loans. She is particularly recommended for lenders in leveraged financing deals and borrowers in land banking facilities. Katherine Bissett is ‘able to navigate financing transactions across multiple parties efficiently‘, and is another key partner to note. All individuals are based in Los Angeles.
Practice head(s):
Adam Weissburg; Caroline Dreyfus
Other key lawyers:
Katherine Bissett
Testimonials
‘Cox, Castle & Nicholson has unique expertise and experience in our sector. Additionally, their culture is a strong fit for our industry and organization allowing them to engage productively with counterparties.’
‘We have worked primarily with Katherine Bissett on real estate finance matters. Katherine is exceptionally diligent and understands our business and industry. She has been able to navigate financing transactions across multiple parties efficiently while getting to the outcome we need to successfully close transactions.’
Key clients
Barings
Pacific Western Bank
Capital One
Placemakr
Continental Development Corporation
Work highlights
- Acted for Continental Development Corporation with respect to a $276 million of construction and permanent financing for a new corporate headquarters and training facility to be leased to the Los Angeles Chargers football team.
- Represented an investment vehicle of Placemakr in connection with the negotiation of a joint venture with an institutional investor for the purpose of acquiring, converting, renovating and operating the SoBro Apartments project in Nashville, TN.
Dickinson Wright PLLC
Concentrating on the property market across the Midwest, Texas and Florida and with several offices across the US, Dickinson Wright PLLC remains sought after for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily and manufactured housing mortgage loans, and frequently assists Canada-based lenders. Real estate finance partner Katheryne Zelenock co-heads the practice alongside fellow partners, Michael Lusardi who takes charge of the real estate offering. Both are based in Troy.
Practice head(s):
Katheryne Zelenock; Michael Lusardi
Key clients
Greystone Servicing Company/Arbor Agency Lending/Pinnacle Bank
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC and Daimler Truck Financial Services USA LLC
Work highlights
- Advised Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC on the transfer of assets to a new entity, Daimler Truck Financial Services USA LLC.
Holland & Knight LLP
Holland & Knight LLP is praised as ‘extremely responsive, efficient, knowledgeable, available, with a very deep bench in real estate finance’. The team stands out for its strong offering in healthcare finance, affordable housing structures, tax-exempt structures, public finance and credits and in real estate capital market transactions. From New York, William O’Connor co-leads the real estate capital markets group, alongside Mark Weibel in Dallas, both specializing on the servicing of CMBS and related aspects of loan workouts. Miami-based Gavin Williams serves as the head of public and charitable services real estate offering. Joe Guay in New York and Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz in Miami co-chair the national real estate department.
Practice head(s):
Joe Guay; Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz
Other key lawyers:
William O’Connor; Mark Weibel; Gavin Williams; John Halula
Testimonials
‘Very high level of client service. Good at coming up with creative solutions to difficult problems. Highly respected in our industry.’
‘Mark Weibel is always available and never hesitates in bringing in whatever firm resources are needed in a given situation. Mark is creative, thoughtful, thorough and has worked through several difficult situations with my company.’
‘Holland and Knight is a large firm with geographic diversity and subject matter experts on most issues facing Real Estate law.’
‘Gavin Williams is an excellent communicator and is often able to craft language that satisfies our team as well as our clients. He is very accessible and responsive and does whatever it takes to get the job done in a timely fashion. He also has excellent support with a dedicated group of associate and experienced lawyers to assist with workload in peak demand periods. All associates at this firm go above and beyond to exceed expectations.’
‘Domain expertise is exceptional, the best I have worked with. Response time and communication is excellent. Exceptional client facing firm, streamlined and concise in delivery of counsel and during negotiations.’
‘The individuals I work with are results driven and can execute within tight timelines without sacrificing the work product. They leverage internal resources / staff transactions appropropriately and I am consistently impressed with junior staff, even the first year associates which bodes to the firms recruiting process.’
‘Holland & Knight is extremely responsive, efficient, knowledgeable, available, and the firm has a very deep bench in real estate finance and healthcare (among other sectors). The entire team has demonstrated their dedication, resourcefulness, creativity, business mindedness, and overall “can do” attitude to our team for many years. They continue to be a highly trusted advisor and extremely valuable resource for our team.’
‘Excellent Healthcare Real Estate Banking team with a deep bench of expertise in a niche sector.’
Key clients
HSBC Bank USA
Citibank
Elion Partners
Work highlights
- Represented HSBC Bank USA as the administrative agent and lead lender in connection with a $560 million revolving working capital loan, a $117 term loan and a $150 million incremental loan to Florida based toy company.
- Represented Citibank in connection with a term loan to finance the acquisition of 37 CVS stores located throughout the United States.
- Represented one of Elion Partners’ affiliates, EV 2281, LLC, in its application for a loan refinance from UBS in the amount of $21 million.
Husch Blackwell LLP
Husch Blackwell LLP‘s practice largely focuses on advising lenders and borrowers throughout the Midwest, West and Mid-South on real estate debt financing, including construction, bridge, mezzanine, term and syndicated loans. Head of practice Dan Bray resides in Denver, and is noted for his expertise in loans secured by multifamily, office, industrial, self storage, resort and retail, and senior housing properties.
Practice head(s):
Dan Bray
Key clients
BMO Harris Bank N.A.
U.S. Bank National Association
Commerce Bank
National Storage Affiliates
MRP Capital Group
NorthPoint Development
CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc.
JPMorgan Bank, N.A.
PNC Bank, National Association
Simmons Bank
Texas Capital Bank
McGuireWoods LLP
McGuireWoods LLP‘ full-service transactional practice represents lenders in the origination and sale of multifamily mortgage loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and recommended for its work in affordable housing deals. From New York, Dennis Mensi represents institutional lenders in originating and servicing of commercial mortgage loans secured by all asset classes, and also advises lenders on servicing of mortgage loans. Craig Harmon in Richmond, Virginia acts for real estate investors in connection with mezzanine loans, A/B notes, subordinated debt and other structured investment arrangements.
Practice head(s):
Dennis Mensi
Other key lawyers:
Craig Harmon
Testimonials
‘The group is extremely client focused. They are very responsive, knowledgeable and cost-effective for a national law firm.’
‘T. Craig Harmon is the quintessential relationship partner. He is our go-to counsel for anything and everything, always able to assist or find appropriate counsel within the firm that has the requisite expertise to assist.’
‘ I greatly appreciate the excellent core real estate skills of McGuireWoods such as (i) documentation and negotiation, (ii) issue spotting and problem solving, (iii) time management and efficient billing and (iv) client management. Make no mistake, this is an industry best CRE team that improves deal quality and zealously represents its client all while maintaining positive relationships with borrowers and their counsel. And should deals go sideways, the team at McGuireWoods is superbly skilled at resolving defaults and/or pursuing remedies in all states. Moreover, the individuals work exceptionally hard, remain available at all times and yet bill more reasonably than other comparable firms. It is with this perspective that I can offer the following- they are best in class.’
‘In the CRE space, counsel should be a proper balance of facilitators and bodyguards. The CRE counsel at McGuireWoods have the strong technical skills to analyze the issues within their domain but they also extend their purview to areas that assist in risk management (such as borrower due diligence). ‘
Paul Hastings LLP
Leveraging an international reach, Paul Hastings LLP has a strong track record on complex, cross-border transactions across the full spectrum of real estate finance matters. Rick Allendorf‘s debt finance practice focuses on representing institutional lenders in originating loans for securitization against commercial real estate projects. Lisa Chaney is also recommended for repurchase agreements, corporate credit and capital commitment-backed subscription credit facilities. Eric Schwitzer and practice head John Cahill are also key figures. All individuals are based in New York.
Practice head(s):
John Cahill
Other key lawyers:
Rick Allendorf; Lisa Chaney; Eric Schwitzer
Key clients
Morgan Stanley
Barclays
Wells Fargo
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
KKR
Oaktree Capital
Nuveen
Apollo Global Management
ACORE Capital
Starwood Property Trust
Manufacturers Bank
Thorofare Capital
Divco West
CIM
Work highlights
- Advising data center REIT Digital Realty on the origination of a $3 billion global revolving credit facility.
- Represented Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo, as lead lenders, and Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Citi, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan, as co-lenders in the $2.4 billion financing of the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Advising Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in the negotiation and documentation of a $1 billion capital commitment-backed credit facility opposite a large multinational private equity & real estate company.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP represent lenders and borrowers of debt and equity capital in all types of real estate financing transactions. Esteemed figure in the New York market, Caroline Harcourt is widely recognized for her handling of origination, sale and purchase of mortgage and mezzanine loans and the negotiation of intercreditor, co-lender and participation agreements in multitiered debt stacks. In San Diego, Steven Hamilton focuses on restructuring and working out construction, term and permanent loans, lines of credit and letters of credit. Global head of real estate Rachel Horsch in San Francisco is also highly recommended.
Practice head(s):
Caroline Harcourt; Steven Hamilton; Rachel Horsch
Key clients
Commonwealth Partners
Corem Kelly AB (f/k/a Klövern AB)
Icahn Partners L.P.
Park Square Homes 1, LLC
Shorenstein
Three Wall Capital
Work highlights
- Represented Three Wall Capital LLC in structuring and negotiating a master joint venture agreement with a prominent private equity fund, that acquired over 30 hotel properties throughout the United States and was structured to enable the joint venture to acquire additional hotel assets based on agreed acquisition parameters.
- Represented the purchaser, CommonWealth Partners and borrower in the $1 billion+ purchase of Hudson Commons at 441 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has considerably expanded its practice, starting with the expansion of its Los Angeles office which welcomed chair of the west coast office, Misty Sanford, along with partners Karen Lorang and Aimee Contreras-Camua who moved over from Munger, Tolles & Olson in October 2022. New York's Christine Murphy lends her expertise in balance sheet financings, permanent and bridge loan originations, construction loans, and workouts and restructurings. Head of real estate finance, Krystyna Blakeslee ,also in New York, focuses on origination, acquisition and disposition of mortgage loans, mezzanine financings and subordinate debt. National real estate co-chairs Thomas Henry and David Drewes are also highly respected attorneys, based in New York.
Practice head(s):
Thomas Henry; David Drewes; Krystyna Blakeslee
Other key lawyers:
Christine Murphy; Misty Sanford; Aimee Contreras-Camua; Karen Lorang
Key clients
Access Industries Inc.
Adept Development
AGC Equity Partners
Aspen Skiing Company
Breakthrough Properties
The Broad Museum
Brookfield
Cain International
Capital Senior Living Corporation
Caruso Affiliated Holding
Centerbridge Partners
Choice Hotels International
CIM Group
CIM Real Estate Credit
DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (fka Colony Capital)
Column Financial, Inc. (Credit Suisse)
The Davis Companies
DiamondRock Hospitality, Inc.
Faropoint
GI Partners
Goldman Sachs
Harbor Group International (HGI)
Harel Insurance Investments and Financial Services Ltd.
HIG Realty Partners
Hines Interests Limited Partnership
Hudson’s Bay Company
IO Data Centers LLC
Jiaming Investment (Group) Co., Ltd.
JP Morgan
Mack Real Estate Credit Strategies
Meadow Partners
Mesa West
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
MSD Capital
Natixis
Oaktree Capital Management
Paramount Group, Inc.
St. John’s University
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Group (SMBC)
Tishman Speyer
Trammell Crow Company
Washington Prime Group, Inc.
SL Green Realty
Van Barton Group
Commerz Real Fund
Lyric Opera of Chicago
The Witkoff Group
Work highlights
- Represented DigitalBridge Group in its $3.2 billion agreement to sell its Wellness Infrastructure business to real estate investment firms Highgate Capital Investments and Aurora Health Network.
- Represented Paramount Group in multiple transactions, including its $860 million refinancing of 1301 Avenue of the Americas, a 1.8-million-square-foot Class A, trophy office building located between 52nd and 53rd Streets in Midtown Manhattan.
- Advised an investment company in workout and restructure of loan and creation of new mezzanine loan in the aggregate outstanding amount of $180 million, securing property located in Philadelphia.