Real estate in United States
DLA Piper LLP (US)
DLA Piper LLP (US) ‘packs a powerful, top-tier punch’ with ‘incredible strength and capability from senior partner down to associate level’. The firm has consolidated its position as a market leader over the past 12 months, marked by the arrival of 35 new fee earners. Notable examples include San Francisco-based Jeff Diener and Vivek Chavan, who joined from Paul Hastings LLP and Greenberg Traurig, LLP respectively, along with Jarrid King who joined the firm’s New York office from Morgan Stanley. The team’s full-service offering extends from multi-jurisdictional transactions, complex mixed-use developments, leasing, construction and design through to high-end capital markets transactions and joint venture agreements. Further, the group has extensive experience across the spectrum of asset classes, with formidable strengths in real estate deals involving offices, shopping malls, community and urban buildings. Moreover, the team is increasingly involved hospitality, stadium, technology and data centre projects. In a market leading highlights, Boston-based John Sullivan acted for Oxford Properties Group in its approximately $3.7bn acquisition of logistics company IDI, the owner of a portfolio of more than 110 operating assets. Sullivan heads the department alongside Jackie Park in New York and Richard Klawiter in Chicago. Also recommended are the 'extremely responsive' Frederick Klein in the DC office, and Boston-based Cara Nelson, who is recognized by clients for her 'diligent and efficient' approach.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Frederick Klein; Cara Nelson; Amy Carbins; Michael Hamilton; Barbara Trachtenberg
Testimonials
‘The DLA team can handle real estate matters across asset types and locations and have team members with insider knowledge of the nuances of particular property types.’
‘Amy Carbins is an exceptional deal manager. She knows when and where to push the counterparty to get the best deal and is very aware of client particularities and sensitivities and able to manage those needs during each transaction.’
‘DLA has an exceptional real estate practice. Real estate is a core priority for the firm and there are deep levels of talent through out the U.S. and globally. It is no doubt one of the premier real estate platforms in the World.’
‘John Sullivan is someone who is impossible not to like and has exceptional judgment and industry knowledge. You cannot go wrong with John.’
‘Chris Smith is one of the great lawyers of our generation and is aptly suited for the hardest deals when the stakes are big. On transactions, he always seems to find a way to make it happen with all sides feeling respected and happy with the outcome. On more contentious matters he is creative and fearless and willing to actually proffer actionable advice.’
‘Mark Yura in Chicago is immensely dedicated to his clients and an example of the high quality of that office.’
‘The team is collectively very responsive, from the most junior paralegal all the way up to their DC division head. They work on an outsized share of the transactions in the DC market – both on acquisitions / dispositions and on financings – and have somehow found a way to make their clients feel like their deal is the only transaction the team is focused on.’
‘Keith Greenberg performs at the level of many partners we come across and has lead multiple transactions for us. His availability at all hours, creativity, and repoir with counterparties is what sets him apart from other associates. Fred Klein is the best in the business and has demonstrated the willingness, even as the co-head of the real estate practice at DLA, to do whatever it takes to get the job done.’
‘DLA‘s team has an abundance of experience in purchase and sale transactions in the DC Metro Area. As a result, the team has often worked to structure the purchase, including the acquisition debt, in such a way that results in substantial savings to both purchaser and seller.’
‘They are excellent lawyers who have exceptional business acumen. They are very commercial in their approach to the law. they are efficient and cost effective.’
‘John Sullivan is at the very top of the real estate practice globally. we do transactions around the globe and he is without question the best of the best. i would use him anyhwere in the world for our work.’
‘Cara Nelson works closely with John and is a terrific partner. She is diligent and efficient. Fonda Duvanel has worked with us on Hudson Yards from the start. she has an extraordinary capacity for work volume and an ability to understand and distill massive amounts of very complex information.’
‘Bob Leduc is the best tax practitioner we have ever encountered. Like John Sullivan, he is exceptionally commercial in his approach.’
‘DLA Piper packs a powerful, top-tier punch, for a significantly lower cost than other top firms.’
‘Fred Klein is a top-notch real estate partner who bills fairly, is extremely responsive, and makes an extra effort to ensure key people at the client understand the situation. I would recommend him to anyone, particularly in the mid-Atlantic, although I hesitate to say this because I want to use a lot of his time!.’
Key clients
AEW Capital Management
ASB Capital Management
Blackstone Group
Brookfield
Harrison Street Real Estate Capital
Hines
Oxford Properties Group
Shorenstein
SL Green
The Walt Disney Company
Work highlights
- Represented real estate investor and Treasure Island Hotel & Casino owner Phil Ruffin in the acquisition of MGM Resorts’ International’s Circus Circus hotel and casino property on the Las Vegas Strip.
- Acting for The Walt Disney Company in relation to the real estate portion of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
- Represented AXA Investment Manager in its acquisition (through a merger) of NorthStar Realty Europe Corp, a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust.
- Represented Longfellow Real Estate Partners in the negotiation of a 50/50 joint venture with The Prudential Company of America to invest in a $600m office park property in the Bay Area.
- Represented Ivanhoé Cambridge in a joint venture with Hines for the acquisition and development of a new 47-story, 1 million square foot office tower on the 800 block of Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is a leader in the New York real estate market and is noted for its ‘great business sense and ability to find commercial solutions'. Though it is particularly well known for its strengths in New York and Washington DC, the team is active in real estate matters nationwide, advising clients in transactions across a huge range of asset classes. In addition to the team's expertise in single asset and portfolio transactions, leasing, and joint ventures, it is also recognized for its specialist knowledge of mortgage, mezzanine and construction financing and restructuring. The group also has complementary expertise in real estate-related litigation, land use and environmental matters. Fiona Kelly and Lee Parks jointly head the corporate real estate practice, alongside Jonathan Mechanic, who leads the wider real estate group and recently served as counsel to Blackstone in its colossal $2.9bn acquisition of a 65% interest in Great Wolf Resorts, the owner of 18 nationwide entertainment resorts. Washington DC-based Valerie Kelly is another standout name; she is particularly highly rated for large commercial leases. Associate Alexander Sutherland is a name to note on the more junior end. Laurinda Martins recently re-joined the firm, having served as senior vice president of Brookfield Office Properties. Also of note, Suzanne deVries Decker and Cyril Touchard were recently promoted to partner. Named lawyers are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Alexander Sutherland; Joshua Mermelstein; Robert Sorin; Valerie Kelly
Testimonials
‘Fried Frank’s real estate finance group are top class. As a team, they are collegiate, have some exceptionally smart individuals, are very organised and go the extra mile. They are also very commercial. When we have deals that are time pressured, the Fried Frank team deliver.’
‘Michael Barker is an exceptionally talented lawyer. He runs a team of associates who work incredibly hard, together with other partners that have risen through the ranks at Fried Frank. Michael cuts through complicated issues and explains them as simply as possible, with his focus being on getting the deal done. Suzanne Decker, Kabaye Liku and Michael Hofer deserve praise for their work on some of the deals that we have instructed Fried Frank on.’
‘Extremely knowledgable about all aspects of real estate. In addition, we found them to be more commercial and practical than other firms and practices. Also, due to market share, they have a great grasp of comparable info that goes far beyond just economic factors. Very valuable information.’
‘The team we work with are very detail oriented and highly responsive. Never shy away from heavy lifting or heavy hours. Excellent documentation skills. Very good at engaging with our team and equally good at engaging and convincing opposing counsel and other parties (not on our side of the table). Know how to close and work swiftly.’
‘Full service with deep subject matter knowledge and strong team of lawyers.’
‘Quality of legal skills and ability to understand issues important to us as a client and able to successfully negotiate issues in our favor.’
‘Recommended for their ability to handle very complex transactions and their wide network of contacts within the industry.’
‘They are very talented lawyers but many of them are down to earth and easy to work with.’
‘Great business sense. Real ability to focus on only the most critical issues and find commercial solutions.’
‘Avi Feinberg and Patrick Greeley are both excellent. Avi has a very compelling negotiating style. Patrick is one of the most gifted logical thinkers I have come across.’
Key clients
Work highlights
- Acting for JP Morgan Chase in relation to various aspects of its planned 2.5 million square foot headquarters redevelopment at its 270 Park Avenue location.
- Counsel to WarnerMedia, an operating company of AT&T, in the sale-lease back of its approximately 1.5 million square foot Time Warner Condominium Unit at 30 Hudson Yards.
- Counsel to Related Companies in its over 1.5 million square foot lease to Facebook across 30 floors and three buildings at Hudson Yards.
- Counsel to Spirit MTA REIT and its independent directors in the $2bn sale of the assets in the Company’s Master Trust 2014 and three assets presently owned by Spirit Realty Capital to Hospitality Properties Trust.
- Counsel to Atria Senior Living Group in connection with its joint venture with Related Companies, which plans to develop, own, and operate more than $3bn of modern, urban senior living communities in major cities across the United States over the next five years.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has core strengths in real estate-related M&A and complex securities transactions, acting for lenders, operators and investment firms, and in particular investment entities with assets in the hospitality and leisure sector. Eric Feuerstein has broad-base expertise in financings, acquisitions and developments; he heads the practice with California-based duo Erin Rothfuss and Jesse Sharf. Another name to note in California is Kahlil Yearwood, who has had recent strong showings in loan purchases and sales transactions, subordinate debt financing, post-closing modifications and work-outs. Noam Haberman is also recommended; he represents borrowers and lenders in matters involving relation to higher-risk balance sheet loans. Named lawyers are located in New York unless stated otherwise.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Related Companies
Welltower
Oaktree Capital Management
WeWork Property Advisors
DivcoWest
Jamestown Properties
KKR
Deutsche Bank
Stockbridge Capital
Rockwood Capital
Work highlights
- Represented Related as the buyer in the $2.2bn purchase/leaseback of the global headquarters of AT&T’s WarnerMedia.
- Represented Welltower in the $1.25bn purchase of a Class A health care facilities portfolio from CNL Healthcare Properties.
- Represented Jamestown Properties in connection with its acquisition and financing of the renowned Levi’s Plaza, an eight-building office property located in San Francisco, California, the headquarters of Levi’s Jeans.
- Represented Lendlease Development, an Australian real estate investor, in its joint venture agreement with Google for the master planning, entitlement and development of three mixed-use communities in the San Francisco Bay area.
- Represented WeWork in the $850m purchase of retailer Lord & Taylor’s Fifth Avenue flagship store from Hudson’s Bay Company.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Greenberg Traurig, LLP has core strengths in property acquisitions and dispositions, investment transactions, large-scale joint venture developments, property management and leasing. The team is experience in a variety of asset classes and supports clients at all stages of transactions from zoning and due diligence through to construction and operational issues. Of recent note, the group represented Invesco Advisers Inc and L+M Workforce Housing Fund in their $1.6bn acquisition of a New York portfolio of 2,800 rental apartments. The vastly experienced Robert Ivanhoe jointly leads the practice in New York, alongside co-heads Richard Giusto in Miami and Corey Light in Chicago. Additional strengths include refinancing, refinancing and land use matters.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Nancy Lash; Kristen Lonergan; Stephen Rabinowitz; James Caserio
Key clients
SL Green
Kimco Realty Corp.
Square Mile Capital
Starwood Capital Group
The Related Companies
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors
Schottenstein Realty Company
Invesco
Albertson’s
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Work highlights
- Represented the asset management unit of Seoul, Korea-based Mirae Asset Financial Group in the $5.8bn acquisition of a 15-hotel portfolio in the United States from Anbang Insurance Group Co.
- Representation of Kimco, one of North America’s largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers, in the development of multi-purpose project in Dania.
- Representation of Blackstone in the acquisition for $540m of the 934,000 square foot 800 Fifth Avenue office building in Seattle, and in the $327.6m loan from Deutsche Bank for a portion of the acquisition costs.
- Represented Lancelot Miami River, an affiliate of Adler Development, in its successful agreement with the City of Miami to build its new headquarters as part of a planned nearly $1bn mixed-use project on the Miami River.
- Representation of the Kushner Companies in connection with a preferred equity transaction to fund the acquisition of 16 multi-family properties in the mid-Atlantic region.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
A leader in the US market, the 'hardworking, responsive and engaging' team at Kirkland & Ellis LLP recently acted for global investment manager GLP in the $18.7bn sale of its US logistics business to Blackstone. The transaction included the transfer of more than 1,300 logistics properties and serves as a prime example of the firm's ability to handle hugely complex acquisitions and dispositions of high-value portfolios and single assets. Additional areas of expertise include co-investments, development transactions, joint ventures, private equity fund formations and management agreements. In terms of clients, the team acts for numerous investor clients, such as sovereign wealth funds and pension organizations, but is also counsel to a number of bank lenders and developers in large financing transactions. Key figures in the practice group include Scott Berger and Jonathan Schechter in New York, Andrew Small and Daniel Perlman in Chicago, and Kevin Ehrhart, who is based in the firm's Los Angeles office. Christopher Hartmann is another name to note in the New York office.
Practice head(s):
Scott Berger; Daniel Perlman; Kevin Ehrhart; Jonathan Schechter; Andrew Small
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is hard-working, responsive, engaging and thoughtful. Seasoned and very strategic when dealing with the real estate pieces of larger transactions, particularly mergers and acquisitions. Able to manage the entire process, regardless of level of complication, from evaluation, negotiation to closing. Ability to handle particularly complicated deals sets them apart from other firms I have worked with.’
‘Market knowledge is very helpful.’
‘Knowledge, work ethic and accessibility.’
‘The team is very in tune with the US real estate market and is able to bring deals to fruition quickly by cutting through the nonsense that other counsel often imposes as an impediment. They know what is important in a deal and what is not worth spending cycles on.’
‘We work primarily with John Goldman who is an excellent lawyer. He is not afraid to give his insights or opinions on a deal and will be candid about potential outcomes. His approach to deal work is extremely pragmatic and he is a true expert in the area of real estate law. John is capable of distilling down complex issues so that they are easy to understand and resolve. He is also very even-keel and focused and it is hard to deter him from coming to an amicable resolution for all parties involved.’
Key clients
GLP
Starwood Capital Group
Atrium Hotels
Equity Lifestyle Properties
Core Spaces
Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA)
KKR & Co.
Lennar Corporation
AustralianSuper
Oak Street Real Estate Capital
TPG Real Estate Partners
Coretrust Capital Partners
Nuveen Real Estate
GID
Retail Employees Superannuation Trust (REST Industry Super)
Work highlights
- Represented Starwood Capital Group in its sale of 1 Hotel South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida, for $610m.
- Represented Nuveen Real Estate in its acquisition of a portfolio of over 100 industrial properties from Blackstone for $3bn.
- Represented Atrium Hotels in multiple financings of hotel portfolios with loan proceeds in excess of $2bn.
- Represented AustralianSuper in its sale of a 1.1 million square foot office building in Boston for $635m through a joint venture with Brookfield Properties.
- Represented Core Spaces in a series of joint ventures for the development and recapitalization of eight student housing and mixed-use assets located in six states across the US, with values totaling more than $555m.
Paul Hastings LLP
‘One of the preeminent practices’ in the real estate space, Paul Hastings LLP is a go-to name for development mandate, real estate finance and other transactional matters, with complementary expertise in areas such as environmental law, licensing and zoning and land use. In New York, ‘all-star partner’ Eric Landau jointly oversees the practice with Peter Olsen and John Cahill. The group stands out in particular for its specialized strength in leisure and hospitality work, and its strong focus on cross-border deals, which have recently involved assets in France, Japan and Australia, among other jurisdictions. The practice group is also known for its top-notch developer clients. In a standout example of its activity in the development space the team represented Five Point Holdings in its role as master developer of Candlestick Point and Phase 2 of the Hunters Point Shipyard project in San Francisco. In California, Philip Feder is a standout name for finance, loan workouts, transactions and restructurings.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Robert Wertheimer; Alan Weakland; Gregory Spitzer; Ted Smith; Phillip Feder
Testimonials
‘They are solution oriented rather than providing descriptions of the issues only. They are practical And help evaluate risk of imperfect situations.’
‘Passionate and practical. They don’t try to win points to make themselves feel better. They know what issues are important and have a plan to get those issues resolved in the most favorable outcome.’
‘Paul Hastings not only has great real estate attorneys but they have a lot of them. They have a very deep bench and they can handle many complicated deals simultaneously. Most other firms that we use we would only give them one large deal at a time, for fear that we would be overloading them.’
‘Alan Weakland is fantastic lawyer, sees the big picture, fair, deal maker and practical.’
‘Phil Feder is a senior lawyer, great on complicated deals. Derek Roth is great on hotels, joint ventures, very responsive.’
‘Lauren Giovannone is the best lawyer in the country for hotel management agreements. Rick Kirkbride is the best connected hotel attorney in the world.’
‘David Viklund, simply put, has sacrificed more and worked harder and smarter for his clients than any lawyer I have worked with during the past 14 years (which includes closing 535 transactions totaling north or $62 billion.’
‘This firm has the capabilities to cover all aspects of real estate and data center real estate, including leasing, buying, and dispositions. They have a team of very talented individuals that know how to get deals done and do, in a very efficient manner. They are heads and shoulders above other firms in the terms of their competency and methodology— minimal egos, just true support the client with the best possible outcome as quickly as possible.’
‘We work primarily with tow individuals: Steve Berkman and Mitch Menzer. Steve oversee the real estate practice; Mitch focuses on more land use issues. Steve is one of the best real estate attorneys in the world. He certainly understands the law, but more importantly, he understands how to get deals done with totally successful outcomes for the client. Mitch Menzer has many of the same qualities. He is thorough and has a way to bring diverse opinions together, quickly.’
‘I view this practice as one of the preeminent in New York City. They work with many of the top developers (as well as having a lending practice) and deal with all types of transactions from purchases and sales, to financings, ground leases, complex multi-step transactions, etc. The partners are excellent and appropriately involved on our matters.’
‘Eric Landau and Bruce DePaola are all-star partners with deep experience in a myriad of real estate transactions. They are a go-to group for us on large and complicated matters.’
Key clients
54 Madison Partners
Citibank
Fosun
IBM
KKR
Millennium Partners
Morgan Stanley
Nordstrom
Oaktree Capital Management
Qatar Investment Authority
Salesforce.com
Sino-Ocean Holding
The Lightstone Group
TIAA-CREFF
Witkoff Group
Work highlights
- Represented the joint venture between L&L Holding Company and Fortress Investment Group in connection with the financing, construction, and redevelopment of the TSX Broadway Project, a 500,000 square foot multi-use project in Times Square.
- Represented Millennium Partners in connection with the development of a vacant site in Downtown Boston (Winthrop Square) into a large, luxury, mixed-use office/residential/retail project. This involved negotiating with institutional funds to provide $450m of preferred equity financing.
- Representing Nordstrom in its acquisition, compilation, improvement, and physical integration of the multiple adjacent sites necessary to develop its approximately 320,000 square foot flagship New York City retail store.
- Acting for Lennar Corporation as lead outside counsel in connection with its role as the manager and investor in Treasure Island in San Francisco.
- Representing IBM Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary SoftLayer Technologies in leasing and developing data center facilities in multiple locations on a worldwide basis, which has involved hundreds of millions of dollars of investment on behalf of the company.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is at the top of the market for development, leasing, joint ventures and partnership matters. The real estate team benefits in particular from its collaboration with the broader banking and capital markets, M&A, private funds and tax practices, enabling it to handle large-scale M&A, portfolio and individual asset transactions, and complex financing matters. Practice head Gregory Ressa has a particular focus on the representation of real estate opportunity funds, while Krista Miniutti has experience acting for private equity funds and their portfolio companies in commercial asset transactions. Whitney Salinas is another name to note. Recent highlights included representing Blackstone in its $18.7bn acquisition of 179 million square feet of urban, infill logistics assets from GLP. Named lawyers are based in New York.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Krista Miniutti; Whitney Salinas; Scott Kobak; Sasan Mehrara
Key clients
The Blackstone Group
KKR
The Carlyle Group
Hilton Worldwide Holdings
Northwood Investors
Centerbridge
Crown Acquisitions
Invitation Homes
BioMed Realty
CorePoint Lodging
Lindsay Goldberg
Westbrook Partners
Work highlights
- Representing Blackstone in the acquisition of US logistics assets valued at $5.9bn.
- Acting for Crown Acquisitions in acquiring a stake in a retail portfolio in Upper Fifth Avenue and Times Square Retail valued at $5.5bn.
- Representing Invitation Homes in multiple financings of its portfolio properties totaling $2.3bn.
- Represented Northwood Investors in its sale of 123 Mission Street in San Francisco, California to an affiliate of Juul Labs for $400m.
- Representation of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust in its acquisition of the real estate assets of the Bellagio from MGM Resorts for approximately $4.25bn in a 95%-5% Blackstone-led joint venture.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
The ‘results-focused’ team at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is ‘distinguished through its willingness and ability to understand the broader context’. Operating across all asset classes, the group is particularly well known for its handling of domestic and international acquisitions, mortgage and mezzanine financings, property foreclosures and restructurings, and the formation of investment-related joint ventures. Daniel Reynolds is ‘a go-to choice’ owing to his ‘highly effective and efficient’ service, and Michael Weinberger is also a key member of the team, representing numerous lenders, borrowers and issuers in financing transactions across a variety of asset types. Another name to note is Aron Zuckerman, who was recently promoted to partner. All named attorneys are based in New York.
Other key lawyers:
Michael Weinberger; Steven Wilner; Kimberly Blacklow; Daniel Reynolds
Testimonials
‘The Cleary team is one of the smartest and most pragmatic legal team I have worked with. Their experience provides valued solutions in timely manner without a lot of wasted time and running up of legal fees.’
‘They are great on large, complicated matters and are also terrific on the cookie cutter deals.’
‘Steve Wilner is knowledgeable, always value add, efficient and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Michael Weinberger is more than likely the smartest guy in the room, efficient, pragmatic, pleasure to work.’
‘Dan Reynolds is smart, detailed, knowledgeable, pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Brookfield Asset Management
Goldman Sachs
JP Morgan
Kindred Healthcare
Mapletree Investments
Qatar Investment Authority
ESL Investments
AllianceBernstein
KSL Capital Partners
Hospitality Investors Trust
Work highlights
- Represented Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in the acquisition of an approximate 24% stake in a Fifth Avenue-Times Square portfolio of properties valued at approximately $5.6bn.
- Represented ESL Investments in its $5.2bn acquisition of Sears Holdings, including more than 800 properties valued in excess of $1.5bn.
- Representing the lenders to Brookfield Asset Management in the financing for its $11.4bn acquisition of Forest City Realty Trust.
- Represented Mapletree Investments in its $2.08bn financing of a portfolio of 199 industrial properties throughout the US.
- Represented Warburg Pincus and CityMD in the real estate aspects of its acquisition of Summit Medical Group.
Dechert LLP
Commercial real estate finance is keystone of the 'smart, creative and solution-oriented' team at Dechert LLP. The practice group routinely handles mortgage and mezzanine loans, distressed debt and restructuring matters, and risk retention issues, as well as the acquisition and disposition of loan interests. The team has an enviable client roster of funds and investment trusts, in addition to leading bank lenders and underwriters, such as Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse. In Philadelphia, the 'extraordinarily talented' David Forti is rated for his expertise in preferred equity transactions, CMBS securitization, post-closing modifications, work-outs and foreclosures. Forti leads the practice alongside Richard Jones, who splits his time between New York and Philadelphia, gearing his practice towards capital markets transactions and mortgage finance.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Laura Swihart; Matthew Fischer; Stewart McQueen; Krystyna Blakeslee
Testimonials
‘Very thorough, risk-management oriented, tenacious for your side, but friendly to work with.’
I value Laura Ciabarra’s ability to build trust and true friendship with her clients, which enables both sides to share and debate ideas freely and devise effective solutions to thorny deadlocks in deal negotiations. She is also expert at neutralizing tensions between sides and maintaining her composure throughout.’
‘The Dechert team is smart, creative and solution-oriented. They have the ability to manage large, complex transactions in a seamless manner with a deep bench of talent that works tirelessly to figure out deal structures that most others would find impossible to grasp. In addition, while they fiercely represent their own clients’ interests, it always feels like they are trying to find solutions that make the deal work for all parties involved.’
‘Dave Forti is extraordinarily talented, smart, creative, hard-working and trustworthy. He has the ability to think, speak and understand everything going on in a deal from a big picture perspective to the most minute detail. Dave also has a fantastic grasp on the commercial aspects of real estate transactions which further distinguishes him from his peers.’
‘Best deepest team in structured CRE lending, from real estate to cmbs and portfolio lending to securities and syndicated lending. The best group over multiple cycles. Knowledge of precedent is outstanding.’
‘David Forti is the best in the lender counsel business for large complex transactions Justin Gdula, a close second. Matt Ginsburg, Jason Rozes, Krystina Blakeslee, and others are all standouts. There is a rare blend of commercial, tough, experienced, fair and good for business on both sides of a negotiation.’
Key clients
Bank of America / Merrill Lynch
Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp.
Credit Suisse
Exantas Capital Corporation
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Goldman Sachs
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
Starwood Property Trust
TPG RE Finance Trust
Wells Fargo
Work highlights
- Represented Citi in connection with a $8.6bn of floating-rate debt to finance in the acquisition of 588 industrial properties as part of the largest private real estate acquisition since the financial crisis.
- Represented Citi, Bank of America and a London-based bank, respectively, as lenders in connection with the origination of a significant transaction totaling nearly $5.4bn.
- Advised a syndicate of four banks (Bank of America, a London based lender, Citi and Deutsche Bank) on the origination of $2.83bn in mortgage and mezzanine financing related to the $11.4bn acquisition of Forest City Realty Trust by Brookfield.
- Represented Credit Suisse, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley, respectively, as lenders, in connection with the large loan origination transaction totaling approximately $2.35bn.
- Represented Credit Suisse Securities (USA), Bank of America Securities, and Morgan Stanley & Co. in their capacities as initial purchasers, in a $2.35bn commercial loan securitization.
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Home to ‘a deep bench of seasoned lawyers’, Morrison & Foerster LLP has a ‘solid reputation' built on a 'very client-focused’ approach and extensive experience of real estate finance deals. The group has broad core strengths in equity finance, large syndicated lending, construction loans and deals involving multiple forms of debt. The structuring and formation of joint ventures and real estate funds for the operation, development and ownership of real estate is a further strength. New York-based Mark Edelstein (‘always available') heads the department. Thomas McGovern is Boston is also recommended; his workload encompasses various restructurings and workouts of troubled real estate loans. The practice group has experience in all major asset classes including office, residential, retail, industrial and hospitality.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Thomas McGovern; Thomas Fileti; Jeffrey Temple; Lawrence Ceriello; Christopher Delson
Testimonials
‘The team is extremely knowledgeable about the real estate industry and provides extremely client focused coverage. They understand current issues in the market and are willing to act as advisors with helpful advice when appropriate. The real estate coverage team is always available, which is crucial in this space.’
‘What sets this team apart is the quality of their depth. It is not just one or two individuals that provide coverage but rather the entire team, with all of the participants exhibiting high quality work. This is a departure from other firms where they have B and C teams, within the practice.’
‘Practical advice and counsel.’
‘Willing to use market contacts.’
‘They continue to be fantastic at hosting events that put me in front of the people that I need to be in front of to generate more business. This is invaluable. From a practice standpoint, they get our documents and advise us appropriately, making the job easier on larger, more complex deals.’
‘Mark Edelstein is always available. There is never a time that a phone call to him goes unanswered. Beyond that, they know the market so well and provide great guidance on how we could legally structure a deal to ensure it can be sold in the market.’
‘The team has local expertise in multiple markets with a deep bench of seasoned lawyers. They are very client focused and have a solid reputation.’
‘Jeff Temple, Keith Print and Billy Hildbold each have exceptional legal expertise. They have the ability to work through complex transactions and provide workable solutions to complicated issues.’
Key clients
Bizzi & Partners Development
BlackRock Realty Advisors
Boyd Gaming Corporation Corp.
CIBC World Markets
Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp.
Gemdale Corporation
GLP
Goldman Sachs
Hines Interests
HSBC
Jernigan Capital
LendLease Investments
M&T Bank
Mori Trust
PCCP
People’s United Bank
PNC
Pontiac Land Group
SoftBank
UNIZO Holdings Company
Wells Fargo
Work highlights
- Represented Wells Fargo in its capacities as administrative agent for the lender and as a co-lead arranger in the $1.1bn office refinancing of One Columbus Circle.
- Represented JPMorgan Chase and another major bank in connection with their roles as joint lead arrangers in the $1.5bn construction loan for 1 Vanderbilt in NYC.
- Representing SoftBank in real estate matters in connection with its recently announced agreement to provide significant funding to WeWork and represented SoftBank’s Vision Fund in connection with large equity investment in TSX Broadway in NYC.
- Represented Unizo in over $1bn of office building acquisitions in New York City and Washington DC.
- Represented Gemdale in a joint venture for the construction and development of 45 Broad Street in NYC.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has a full-service real estate practice, with particular expertise in acting for investors and corporate borrowers in high-value financing matters, and acting for joint venture partners and real estate investment vehicles as owners and operators. The team is particularly active in transactions involving industrial, commercial, hospitality and multi-family residential property assets. Practice co-head Meredith Kane has a track record of involvement in significant development projects, while Peter Fisch is a standout name on the transactional front. Also recommended are practice co-chair Harris Freidus, and Salvatore Gogliormella, who has expertise in the healthcare and hospitality sectors. Named lawyers are based in New York.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
CIM Group
Rose Associates
Rockefeller Group Development Corporation
Lendlease Americas Development
The LeFrak Organization
Northwell Health
Douglaston Development
SL Green Realty Corp.
Murray Hill Properties
Work highlights
- Representing New York City’s transit system, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in the planned development by JPMorgan Chase Bank of a 2.5 million square foot new world headquarters building at 270 Park Avenue.
- Continuing to represent CIM Group, a full-service urban real estate and infrastructure fund manager, in the acquisition and residential/retail development of several land parcels adjacent to Fenway Park in Boston.
- Represented Lendlease in its joint venture with First State Super, an Australian pension fund, to create a $2bn investment platform for new multifamily developments in US gateway cities.
- Represented Northwell Health, New York’s largest health care provider and private employer in the purchase of a block of mixed-use properties on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
- Represented MHP Real Estate Services (f/k/a Murray Hill Properties) in connection with a joint venture investment at 560 Seventh Avenue for the $300m development of The Margaritaville Resort Times Square, a 234-key, 29-story hotel tower.
Proskauer Rose LLP
Proskauer Rose LLP is home to a ‘large and deep real estate practice’ noted for its ‘creativity, flexibility and legal knowledge’. The department’s expertise is split between real estate private equity and structured financing transactions, with particular expertise in transactions in the hospitality and leisure sectors. The practice group also represents multinational corporates and developers throughout all stages of the development process from land acquisitions and environmental diligence through to arranging dispositions. Contacts in New York include Ronald Sernau (‘excellent and creative’), Jeffrey Horwitz, Steven Lichtenfeld, David Weinberger and Perry Cacace. Another key figure is Michael Choate in the Chicago office. In addition to its real estate development and investment work, the team is also active in real estate M&A and has a strong Manhattan-focused commercial leasing practice. Clients have also recognized Eliska Krausova as a strong associate in the practice group.
Practice head(s):
Perry Cacace; Michael Choate; Jeffrey Horwitz; Steven Lichtenfeld; Ronald Sernau; David Weinberger;
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They provide excellent service and while all NY attorneys are expensive they seem to keep billings within reason.’
‘We deal with one principal partner who is very knowledgeable who speaks clearly and concisely on the issues we need help with.’
‘Proskauer has a large and deep real estate practice. They worked with us on one of the most complicated transactions we have ever been involved with which would not have gotten done without their creativity, flexibility and legal knowledge.’
‘Ron Sernau is excellent. He is a creative thinker and unlike many attorneys is not a hindrance to getting deals done. Ron works with a number of excellent partners and associates including David Weinberger, Eliska Krausova and Kunal Dogra who deserve commendation as well.’
Key clients
The Coca-Cola Company
Eagle Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust
Empire City Casino
Morgan Stanley
Discovery
Société Générale
Global Net Lease
New York Islanders
Rockefeller Group
Extell
Vornado Realty Trust
SL Green Realty Corp.
The Howard Hughes Corporation
Hines
AvalonBay Communities
The Related Companies
American Realty Capital
Work highlights
- Represented The Coca-Cola Company in its sale of 711 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to Nightingale Properties and Wafra Group for $907m.
- Advised Empire City Casino on the sale of its racing and gaming property in Yonkers, New York, and its operations to MGM Resorts International for $850m in cash and MGM stock.
- Represented Morgan Stanley in numerous high-profile real estate transactions over the past 12 months with a combined value of approximately $6bn.
- Represented Discovery in its lease of the entire building at 230 Park Avenue South in Manhattan, totaling more than 360,000 square feet.
- Represented Société Générale as bookrunner in connection with the mortgage financing of the London Hotel as well as the mortgage financing of approximately $75m in connection with the Darcy Hotel.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP routinely handles domestic and cross-border transactions for the purchase, sale, financing, construction, development, and management and operation of real estate. The team's recent flagship project is perhaps its work for The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey in relation to the $18bn redevelopment of John F. Kennedy International Airport. Neil Rock and Audrey Sokoloff jointly lead the practice together with California-based Meryl Chae and Nancy Olson in Chicago. Harvey Uris is a name to note for joint ventures, syndicated and securitized loan transactions, real estate-related M&A and capital markets work. Named lawyers are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Work highlights
- Representing Caesars Entertainment Corporation in its proposed $17.3bn merger with Eldorado Resorts. The proposed transaction will combine Caesars’ and Eldorado’s complementary national operating platforms, brands and strategic industry alliances.
- Representing Healthpeak Properties in connection with the $274m sale to Prime Care of a portfolio of skilled nursing facilities and the termination of a synthetic triple-net lease structure.
- Representing Qatar Investment Authority in its $310m acquisition of the St. Regis hotel in Manhattan from Marriott International.
- Engaged by Silverstein Properties in relation to its approximately $1.15bn acquisition and subsequent leaseback from the Walt Disney Company of the Manhattan headquarters of American Broadcasting Companies.
- Represented The Shed NYC in the development of a first of its kind arts center in New York City. The Shed bridges the High Line and Hudson Yards, featuring a telescoping shell on rails that allows the structure to expand or contract to accommodate performance, visual arts, events and other works.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP handles large joint venture investment and development matters, as well as commercial leasing work in relation to commercial, industrial, office, residential and mixed-use real estate assets. Rated for its work in highly structured corporate and financing transactions, the team is especially well known in the areas of portfolio management and investment, and real estate finance, where it acts for a number of large investment banks and prominent real estate-focused funds and institutional investors. Washington DC-based co-managing partner Jeffrey Keitelman jointly heads the real estate department alongside Brian Diamond in New York.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
JP Morgan Asset Management
Bank of America
Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
Oaktree Capital Management
Carr Properties
Easterly Government Properties
Morgan Stanley
Skanska CDUS
L+M Development Partners
Brookfield Real Estate Financial Partners
The Meridian Group
Verizon
Pfizer
Columbia Property Trust
CBS
TruAmerica Multifamily
Cisco Systems
Work highlights
- Representing CPPIB in its joint venture with Oxford to redevelop the southern portion of New York City’s historic St. John’s Terminal site.
- Advising Taconic Investment Partners, L&M Development Partners and BFC Partner on all aspects of the acquisition, financing and development of Essex Crossing, a development in the Lower East Side of Manhattan made up of nine separate sites across six acres of land.
- Representing Alexandria Real Estate Equities in land use, acquisition and deal negotiations for the creation of the Alexandria Center for Science and Technology at the East River Science Park in New York City.
- Represented CBS in the sale of CBS Television City, including its studio operations business, to Hackman Capital Partners, one of LA’s highest-profile developers.
- Acted for JP Morgan in the sale of La Jolla Commons, comprising two trophy office towers and a development parcel, to American Assets Trust.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP's real estate practice is particularly well-regarded for its real estate funds and joint venture expertise and is experienced across a range of asset classes, namely mixed-use, student housing, retail, co-working platforms, residential, hotels and logistics. New York-based duo Michael Bond and Philip Rosen jointly head the department, which was recently strengthened by the hire of Evan Levy from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Levy adds to the practice’s already extensive expertise in real estate finance financings, workouts, restructurings and development projects with further specialist knowledge for the group spanning acquisitions and divestments, leasing matters and debt offerings. A recent standout highlight saw the group acting for MGM Resorts International in its $4.25bn sale of the Bellagio hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Amherst Holdings
The Baupost Group
Belmond
Brookfield Asset Management
C-III Asset Management
Colony Capital
CWCapital
Dwight Capital
Fortress Investment Group
HEI Hotels & Resorts
LendLease Group
Macquarie
MGM Resorts International
Monday Properties
PropCap Advisors
Sears Holdings
Tishman Speyer
TPG
Work highlights
- Advising SoftBank Group Corp. on its agreement to provide $6.5bn in debt and equity financing to WeWork.
- Advising Brookfield Asset Management on its $11.4bn acquisition of Forest City Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust that owns, develops, manages and acquires primarily commercial and residential projects, including mixed-use developments.
- Advised Belmond, a Bermuda-based owner and operator of 46 iconic luxury hotel, restaurant, train and river cruise properties, on its $3.2bn sale to LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
- Advised AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp. on the $195m sale of the Embassy Suites by Hilton New York Midtown Manhattan.
- Advised Colony Capital on the sale of the defaulted mezzanine loan to Yucaipa Cos., holding off a UCC foreclosure auction of the iconic NoMad Hotel.
Arent Fox LLP
The ‘extremely thorough’ team at Arent Fox LLP is recognized by clients for ‘constantly approaching deals from a business perspective’. The practice group has extensive experience in development and investment matters, both in the US and internationally, and is handling an increasing number of inbound investment deals from Europe and Latin America. Headed by DC-based Thomas Castiello, the group acts for corporates, investors and tax-exempt organizations, including public schools. The firm is especially active in sports, leisure and hospitality real estate, and also has particular expertise in transactions at the intersection of the private and public sectors. It also has a highly-sophisticated real estate finance practice.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The Arent Fox team is client oriented, willing to work to meet the clients needs while managing their expectations based on market experience. I would say they are among the top 2 (if not the top) law firm I have worked with in real estate.’
‘David Martin, Patrick Nickler and Louis Goss are exceptionally diligent and smart, but can convey information in a straightforward and easy to understand manner. I also valued how they balanced their legal knowledge with applications to real world or practical situations.’
‘Long term commitment to success, deep knowledge, focus on attentive client service, unfailingly great advice, team work approach.’
‘The real estate practice is phenomenal. Super responsive and focused on giving practical advice as efficiently as possible.’
‘Tommy Castiello’s knowledge of DC regulations pertaining to real estate law is unparalleled.’
‘Not only are they smart on the law, they are constantly looking at the deals from a business perspective. Even if there is a point that, because they are not in-house, they may not understand fully how it impacts your business, once you explain it, they come up with creative solutions to ensure that you can proceed in the best interest of your company. They are extremely thorough.’
‘Ken Jacob is one of the strongest transactional attorneys with whom I’ve ever worked. His understanding of deals and attention to detail, no matter how complex, is impressive.’
Key clients
DLC Management Corporation
Federal Capital Partners
Fannie Mae
The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG)
Colony Capital
South Bay Partners
Provident Resources Group
DSC Partners
Institute for Defense Analyses
Work highlights
- Represented Federal Capital Partners in a $100m preferred equity investment in connection with a $472.5m acquisition by Fairfield Properties of a portfolio of seven apartment communities on Long Island, New York.
- Serving as outside general counsel to BPG and PM Hotel Group in connection with all facets of their operations, advising on legal matters including real estate, corporate, labor and employment, IP, and litigation.
- Represented Fannie Mae in nearly $2.3bn in aggregate financings over the past year.
- Advising Facebook on land use, entitlement, and transactional matters in connection with the expansion of its corporate headquarters in Menlo Park.
- Represented DSC Partners in connection with the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of 15 office, flex, and industrial properties in Chesapeake and Norfolk, Virginia, which consist of more than 1.6 million square feet of space.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is home to 'incredibly capable' associates, and partners who are 'always on top of the deals'. The team has a particular emphasis on advising lender clients on finance transactions including mortgage and construction finance, mezzanine and syndicated lending, and convertible loans. William McInerney in New York oversees the department; he is noted for his experience of mortgage finance transactions, including sales of performing and non-performing commercial loans in the secondary market. The group also routinely handles real estate acquisitions, property investments and development mandates.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They have multi-decade dominance representing commercial real estate lenders. Their origination platforms affords them a level of expertise and credibility that is unmatched in the industry.’
‘Cadwalader’s partners strive to achieve the right balance between advocating for their clients while remaining results-oriented. Fred Altschuler and Melissa Hinkle are two standouts that come to mind when I think about the partners that I would consider first call to represent me.’
Partners are on top of all deals; associates incredibly capable.’
‘Matt Robertson is fantastic. Most hands on partner I’ve worked with in 20+ years in the business. My clients love him.’
Key clients
JPMorgan Chase Bank
Deutsche Bank Securities
Wells Fargo Bank
Credit Suisse
Morgan Stanley Bank
HSBC Bank USA
New York REIT
Bank of America
US Bank
Regions Financial Corporation
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
TH Real Estate
Arbor Commercial Mortgage
Work highlights
- Represented Deutsche Bank Securities as administrative agent and lender in a $1.55bn syndicated mortgage loan to finance the acquisition by a subsidiary of The Blackstone Group of approximately 140 industrial properties.
- Acted for JPMorgan Chase Bank as lender in a $1.28bn securitized mortgage loan secured by 143 office properties located in Arizona, Florida, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
- Represented HSBC Bank USA, as a co-lender and co-bond purchaser, with Wells Fargo Bank, as administrative agent, in a $1.24bn senior secured construction loan facility secured by a condominium development in NYC.
- Represented Deutsche Bank Securities, Wells Fargo Bank and Morgan Stanley Bank, as co-lenders, in a $1.2bn securitized mortgage loan to refinance existing debt secured by Century Plaza Towers in Los Angeles, CA.
- Represented Bank of America as lender in a $950m securitized mortgage loan secured by One Bryant Park.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP caters to a diverse client roster of private equity funds, financial institutions, family offices, pension fund advisors, hedge funds and international investors. Headed by Peter Irwin in New York, the real estate group regularly works alongside the firm's tax, banking and capital markets, environmental and litigation teams to provide comprehensive advice on large acquisitions and dispositions, development projects, financing and restructuring deals, leasing transactions and joint venture agreements.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Brasil Warrant Investments
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Carmel Partners
JPMorgan Asset Management
Monday Properties
Oaktree Capital Management
Rockwood Capital
The Brickstone Companies
Third Point
Tishman Speyer Properties
TPG
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
The We Company (formerly WeWork)
Work highlights
- Representing JPMorgan Asset Management in a joint venture with L&L Holding Co., Normandy Real Estate Partners and other institutional investors, in the acquisition, financing and redevelopment of the Terminal Stores building, a 1.2 million square foot building in West Chelsea, Manhattan.
- Represented FC Encore in the transfer of 60 healthcare facilities throughout the US for a total purchase price of $735m to Omega Healthcare Investors.
- Represented The We Company’s investment platform, ARK in its first acquisition, a 358,000 square foot office building located at 600 California Street in San Francisco.
- Represented JPMorgan Asset Management in a joint venture with Realterm Logistics to acquire a 54-property portfolio of high flow-through industrial facilities located in 27 states across the US.
- Represented JPMorgan Asset Management in the $700m sale of 425 Lexington Avenue to the Vanbarton Group. The property is a 749,000 square foot office building which takes up the eastern blockfront between East 43rd and 44th streets in New York City.
Dentons
Leveraging its expansive international office network, Dentons’ real estate group is adept at handling cross-border transactions, both inbound and outbound. Headed by John Snyder in Kansas City, the practice group is especially active for lenders in real estate transactions, acting for a number of US and international banks. It is also engaged by institutional investors in industrial portfolio and single asset acquisitions. Snyder also handles commercial leasing and build-to-suit lease transactions, in addition to mixed-use, office, industrial, retail and multi-family developments. Additional strengths of the wider team include strategic joint ventures, share acquisitions and facilities management.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Bill Timmons is lead partner and Suneet Sidhu both do an excellent job.’
Key clients
Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance
Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen
KeyBank
Clarion Partners
PNC Bank
The Blackstone Group
VanTrust Real Estate
United Overseas Bank
Greenland US Holding
Work highlights
- Represented United Overseas Bank Limited in connection with an acquisition and construction loan.
- Represented United Overseas Bank in connection with a construction loan.
- Represented The Blackstone Group in connection with renovations of Willis Tower.
- Represented KeyBank National Association in the amendment and restatement of a credit facility.
- Represented KeyBank in connection with the negotiation and closing of a widely syndicated senior secured revolving credit and term loan facility.
Goodwin
Goodwin’s real estate team has experience of a huge variety of corporate real estate matters, and is particularly well known for its work in the hospitality and leisure sector where it handles acquisitions, management and franchise agreements, work-outs and restructurings as well as labor, employment and regulatory matters. The real estate industry group is headed by Minta Kay from the Boston office. The team supports a client base of owners and operators, tax-exempt organizations, real estate funds and institutional investors at all stages of their real estate investments. Other key names are Diana Brummer and Dean Pappas, based in New York and Los Angeles, repsectively.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
AEW Capital Management
AvalonBay Communities
Brookfield Financial Properties
Douglas Emmett
LaSalle Hotel Properties
New York Life Investment Management
RLJ Lodging Trust
Rockwood Capital
Skanska USA Commercial Development
USAA Real Estate
Work highlights
- Acted for DE Glendon, an affiliate of client, Douglas Emmett Management, in connection to the acquisition of The Glendon, a mixed-use multifamily project consisting of 350 residential units and ground floor retail located in Los Angeles.
- Assisted Skanska USA Commercial Development on the completion of its sale of 121 Seaport, a 17-story, 400,000 square foot, LEED Platinum office tower that sits atop two stories of 50,000 square foot of world-class retail.
- Assisted subsidiaries RLJ Lodging Trust, with obtaining CMBS financing from a multinational investment bank in the amount of $200m, secured by seven hotels located in California, Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and Wisconsin.
- Represented Rockwood Capital, in a joint venture with Midtown Equities, as borrower in its financing of One Broadway in New York City. The loan of $161m was provided by Square Mile Capital Management and will be used for the acquisition and repositioning of the landmarked Financial District office building.
- Represented HEI Hotels & Resorts in connection with the formation of a joint venture with Davidson Kempner to acquire the Westin Grand Central in New York City.
Holland & Knight LLP
Holland & Knight LLP is active on all of the core real estate fronts, handling construction and real estate finance, joint development projects, land use matters and multi-state transactions. Standout work form the past year saw the team acting for Verizon Communications in relation to the $1bn sale of the Yahoo! Campus in California to Google. Jointly led by Joe Guay in New York and Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz in Miami, the department's development work is spread across mixed-use, residential, office, gaming, retail and mall projects. In the hospitality sector, the team handles all aspects of brand management in addition to real estate deals. Moreover, the practice group has niche expertise in condominium developments, as well as entrepreneurial and internationally branded timeshare resorts and multi-site vacation clubs. The team is also recognized for its close collaboration with collaboration with partners in the firm's Bogotá and Mexico City offices. This office network, in addition to the US team's Spanish (and Mandarin) language skills, place it in a unique position to handle cross-border deals involving Latin America in particular.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Target Corporation
Strategic Property Partners
Tavistock Development Company
Verizon Communications
Fisher Island Holdings
Goldman Sachs
Prime Property Fund
Norwich Partners
Collegiate Suites Miami
Work highlights
- Representing Fisher Island Holdings in all phases of continuing development of Fisher Island.
- Represented Prime Property Fund in connection with the purchase of an interest in the C3 at Culver Pointe, a seven-story, 280,000 square foot office building in Culver City, California.
- Represented Norwich Partners in the $77m sale of a Residence Inn located in the Fort Point Channel neighborhood in Boston.
- Represented Collegiate Suites Miami in the sale of its University Bridge student residences to an affiliate of Atlantic Housing Foundation.
- Represented Starwood Mortgage Capital as the Lender on a $130m CMBS loan secured by a multi-family project in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood.
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP acts for real estate developers and investors in multi-jurisdictional transactions, urban investment and redevelopment matters, private-public ventures and commercial leasing. Jointly headed by Howard Schreiber in Dallas and Carl Schwartz in New York, the team is active across a range of real estate and planning matters, including property acquisitions and dispositions, developments and construction, commercial loan transactions, and real estate-related M&A. The team has particular strengths in hospitality, healthcare and natural resources projects, though it has experience in all major commercial asset classes, including industrial, retail, multi-family residential and mixed-use properties.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Baylor Scott & White Health
Beal Bank and its affiliates including CSG Investments and CLG Hedge Fund
Hospitality Properties Trust
Chatham Lodging Trust
New York State Urban Development Corporation (d/b/a Empire State Development)
Patrinely Group
Savanna Partners
Nahla Capital Management
Tishman Speyer
Westmont Hospitality Group
Work highlights
- Represented Hospitality Properties Trust in the acquisition of a portfolio consisting of 772 service and necessity-based, single-tenant, triple-net leased properties.
- Represented EBNB 70 Pine Owner, a joint venture between DTH Capital and Rose Associates, in connection with a $386m mortgage loan for 70 Pine Street.
- Represented client in connection with a $76m construction loan for the development of a YotelPad hotel and condominium project located in Miami, Florida.
- Represented Savanna in its $381m purchase of 521 Fifth Avenue office tower.
- Represented L+M Development Partners on their $1.2bn joint purchase venture of five apartment properties in New York.
Jones Day
Jones Day’s practice distinguishes itself by its ability to handle large-scale and multi-jurisdictional real estate matters, which often require input from other practice groups in the firm's full-service model. In addition to handling work nationwide, the team also has extensive experience in investment transactions involving assets located in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Chicago-based duo Robert Lee and Brian Sedlak jointly head the practice, overseeing a broad caseload which includes acquisitions and dispositions, lending and borrowing transactions, joint ventures investments and developments, fund services and construction-related matters. Among the team's clients are national, regional and international developers, commercial investment banks, real estate funds, retailers and hospitality groups.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
SITE Centers Corp.
The Blackstone Group
Capital One Bank
StepStone
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Transwestern Investment Group
Mill Creek Residential Trust
Trammell Crow Residential
Wells Fargo, National Association
Navistar
Henderson Park Real Estate Fund
Henderson Park Capital Management
Meyer Bergman
TriGate Capital
Townsend Holdings
Orion Capital Managers
LaSalle Investment Management
Work highlights
- Advised Cineworld on two asset monetization transactions through sale leasebacks with a total value in excess of $500m.
- Represented Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, and Central of Georgia Railroad Company in connection with a synthetic lease to finance the construction and development of Norfolk Southern Corporation’s new corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Advised Bombardier on its acquisition of the wing manufacturing operations and assets relating to Triumph Group’s Global 7500 wing program.
- Advised Northeastern University on its negotiation with Brisbane, Australia-based QIC Global Infrastructure (QIC) for QIC to manage, operate and maintain the University’s parking system for 50 years in exchange for an upfront payment.
- Advised Greystar in the formation of Greystar Asia Pacific (Greystar APAC), a joint venture between Greystar, MIRA Real Estate, part of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, and APG. Greystar APAC will establish and manage fund vehicles in the Asia-Pacific region that will invest in and develop rental housing real estate projects with an initial focus on Shanghai, Beijing, Sydney and Melbourne.
Katten
Katten's real estate team has strong footholds in a number of major commercial centers including New York, Washington DC and Chicago. The firm also fields a full-service real estate group on in California, and handles nationwide real estate finance and lending transactions from the Charlotte office. Clients have also recognized the firm as one of the 'leaders in the affordable housing sector'. New York-based Timothy Little oversees the department, which is handling an increasing number of matters relating to sporting facilities, in addition to maintaining its core real estate work. In recent highlights, the Chicago team, led by Seth Madorsky, is assisting The Barack Obama Foundation with its proposed high-profile development of the presidential library.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Benzion Westreich; Alvin Katz; Scott Vetri; David Dlugie; Frank Arado
Testimonials
‘The team leads the industry especially in the affordable housing sector. in fact, they are the standard.’
‘Martin Siroka is the most knowledgeable person when it comes to NYC and NYS affordable housing He is also exceptional with respect to deal negotiations in the Real Estate sector as is Scott Vetri.’
Key clients
Callahan Capital Properties/Ivanhoé Cambridge
AIG
Sacramento Kings
The Blackstone Group
Bank of America
Golden State Warriors
Wells Fargo
The Milwaukee Bucks and its affiliate, Deer District (ArenaCo)
The Barack Obama Foundation
Work highlights
- Served as lead counsel to AIG in numerous transactions in the past 12 months with an aggregate value over $1bn, including several high-profile construction loans.
- Representing six-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors in connection with its new arena in San Francisco.
- Represented the Milwaukee Bucks and Deer District in connection with the development, construction, financing, use, operation and management of the team’s new arena, practice facility, and parking garage.
- Represented CIM Group in multiple transactions throughout the United States, including the formation of funds, acquisition, development and joint ventures for the purchase, development and sale of all types of projects.
- Represented American Land Ventures, a developer of multi-family residential projects in Southeast Florida, in multiple matters including the ongoing development of projects in Orlando, St. Petersburg, Boynton Beach and Tampa.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP runs a ‘very client-oriented and results driven’ practice group, which is engaged by investment banks, hoteliers, owners and developers, and private equity investors. Headed by Jay Neveloff in New York, the team has wide-ranging expertise in the development of office, hotel and residential properties, sales and acquisitions of all property types, joint ventures for developments and acquisition transactions, financings and recapitalizations, and corporate leasing. In addition to general corporate real estate work, the practice group has niche strengths in the hospitality sector, including management agreements, as well as in the planning, structuring and development of condominium projects.
Other key lawyers:
James Godman; Jonathan Canter; Tzvi Rokeach; Andrew Charles; Neil Tucker
Testimonials
‘Very client oriented and results driven. The firm’s experience is second to none.’
‘James Godman is an outstanding team leader and focuses on top level results while being considerate of client fees. He is supper knowledgeable in the real estate transitional space.’
Key clients
VICI Properties
The Walt Disney Company
The Related Companies
DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners
Mitsui Fudosan America
CIM Group
New Valley
Nederlander Organization
Amherst Capital Management
Pacific Western Bank
DW Commercial Finance
Quilvest Group
Amalgamated Bank
Zurich Alternative Asset Management
SJP Properties/Mitsui Fudosan
Georgetown Company
Stribling & Associates
60 Guilders and RCG Longview
Work highlights
- Represented VICI Properties in connection with Eldorado Resorts’ entry into a merger agreement with Caesars Entertainment Corporation which resulted in VICI’s acquisition of the land and real estate assets associated with Harrah’s New Orleans, Harrah’s Laughlin, and Harrah’s Atlantic City from Eldorado Resorts.
- Advised The Walt Disney Company on its acquisition of the rights to 4 Hudson Square for 99 years for $650m.
- Represented DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners in connection with the sale of Hotel Wales, located at 1295 Madison Ave, New York, NY.
- Represented CIM Group as lead counsel in connection with the negotiation of the condominium documents that established the Hanley Condominium, located at 165 East 66th Street.
- Represented New Valley, an owner (together with PMG and The Hakim Organization) of 1QPS Tower, a 45-story, 391-unit luxury apartment tower in Long Island City, in connection with the building’s sale to a fund managed by The Carlyle Group.
Latham & Watkins LLP
Operating across a full range of asset classes, Latham & Watkins LLP's real estate team has considerable strength in corporate real estate transactions, including private equity deals, joint venture investments and developments, and real estate-related M&A. The team is jointly chaired by Robert Buday and New York-based duo Michael Haas and Michelle Kelban. On the finance front, the team represents lending banks, sovereign wealth funds and other investment funds, and borrowers including public real estate companies and high-end owners. Gary Axelrod is a name to note for real estate deals in the hospitality and leisure sectors. On the more junior end, Los Angeles-based associate Pablo Clarke is developing a strong reputation real estate debt structuring. Named lawyers are located in the Chicago office unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Sophisticated and nuanced understanding of our company’s business, as well as the transitional commercial real estate debt markets more generally.’
‘Scott McPhee in the Los Angeles office is recommended.’
Key clients
Colony Capital
Starwood Capital Group
Lineage Logistics
ACORE Capital
Stepstone Real Estate Partners
Albertsons Companies
Loews Hotels
Walton Street Capital
The Blackstone Group
Healthpeak Properties (formerly HCP)
Brookfield
CenterPoint Properties Trust
Al Mirqab Holding
MBK Real Estate
Work highlights
- Served as legal counsel to Eldorado Resorts in connection with the financing of its acquisition of Caesars Entertainment Corporation.
- Represented Albertsons in connection with a series of sale-leaseback transactions involving six distribution facilities and three purchasers.
- Represented Digital Realty Trust, the California-based global provider of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions, in connection with real estate matters related to the acquisition by its Brazilian subsidiary of Ascenty, a data center provider in Brazil.
- Advised Marriott International on the sale of St. Regis New York to Qatar Investment Authority.
- Represented Highgate in its acquisition of three hotels (the Park Central New York, WestHouse New York and Park Central San Francisco) from Pebblebrook Hotel Trust.
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown's ‘experienced’ real estate team has ‘strong technical capabilities’ on a number of fronts. In the transactional space, the team is noted for its expertise in acquisitions and dispositions, asset management, developments mandates, leasing and financing deals, spanning office, retail, healthcare, hospitality, student housing and industrial assets. M&A transactions of large real estate holding companies are also a key strength, as is the assistance of investors and operators with the establishment of their joint ventures. The team also has experience of private equity transactions, and restructurings and workouts of credit facilities secured against real estate. Los Angeles-based Brian Aronson heads the real estate group, which frequently undertakes instructions with a cross-border component, acting for clients based in Asia and Europe, in addition to those throughout the Americas.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
David Stewart; Paul Meyer; Scott Cooper; Nathan McMichael; Heather Adkerson
Testimonials
‘Strong technical capabilities and knowledge base; practical advice; value for time‘.
‘Team players – bring in team members when required.’
‘Has a very strong and experienced team of experts for every field, not only in the U.S. but also abroad. Capable to cover complex issue from each aspect, even if it relates to non legal matters.’
‘Paul Mayer: Highly qualified not only in U.S. Law but also in German Investment Act. Knows very well the unique requirements of an off shore Investor in combination with U.S. Law. Has also a Commercial not only a legal Point of view and advises accordingly.’
‘Jonathan Baker: Young, Passionate and hard working. Very familiar with real estate law and has a very good Memory. Always available for his Clients.’.
Key clients
Alinda Capital Partners
Deutsche Bank
Goldman Sachs
Principal Real Estate Investors
Heitman
Wells Fargo Capital Finance
Deutsche Bank
Work highlights
- Represented WAMCO as seller and borrower in a $700m master repurchase agreement for WAMCO’s portfolio of residential mortgage loans, and a $150m master repurchase agreement for WAMCO’s portfolio of commercial mortgage loans.
- Represented Windsor Capital and its affiliates in the capital structuring and financing of two portfolios of hotels.
- Represented Capstone Asset Management and Western Asset Management Company, as lenders, in providing a joint $300m junior mezzanine loan to Triple Five Group, the developer of American Dream Meadowlands, a retail and entertainment complex under construction in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Represented Canan Pratt and its Korean counterpart, Capstone Asset Management, as well as their investors, Korea Post and KB Securities, in the $250m junior mezzanine portion of a $900m loan to WeWork Companies for the acquisition of its new headquarters building.
- Represented Insight Investment in the purchase of a syndicated portion of the $750m mortgage loan on 666 Fifth Avenue in New York, a 41-story office building.
Ropes & Gray LLP
Ropes & Gray LLP works in close collaboration with the firm’s private equity, finance, tax, ERISA and environmental law departments to provide comprehensive service in relation to direct and co-investments, joint ventures, and real estate finance and loan acquisitions. New York-based Daniel Stanco is a market-leading figure in the real estate investment space; he jointly heads the practice alongside Jack Creedon in Boston, who advises private investment funds, pension plans and other institutional investors on their real estate investment activity.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Prospect Medical Holdings
Blackstone Mortgage Trust
TPG Real Estate Finance Trust
Related Fund Management
Oaktree Capital Management
Colony Capital
Related Beal
TPG Sixth Street Partners
ACORE
PIMCO
H.I.G. Capital
TPG Capital
PGGM
CIM Group
First Atlantic Capital
The Blackstone Group
Angelo Gordon
Cain International
Work highlights
- Advised Prospect Medical Holdings on a $1.55bn-plus sale-and-leaseback financing transaction with Medical Properties Trust, a public REIT, related to Prospect’s real estate assets located in California, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
- Represented Related Fund Management in connection with its affiliates’ $260m purchase of Truffles Tribeca, a 291-unit luxury rental tower in Tribeca, New York, from Jack Parker Corporation.
- Acting for Oaktree Capital Management as seller in closing approximately $1bn in repurchase facilities to finance Oaktree’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio and originations.
- Represented TPG RE Finance Trust in connection with its $1.23bn collateralized loan obligation issuance.
- Representing Colony Capital in multiple repurchase and secured credit facilities to finance over $83bn of assets globally.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s ‘thoughtful and experienced’ team is rated for its expertise in a range of areas, including construction and development projects, leasing deals, acquisitions and dispositions, and land use and zoning. Atlanta-based Paul Mattingly heads the department which is complemented by a dedicated data center services group that handles relevant development, leasing, finance and transaction matters. The team enjoys a strong reputation in public-private partnership projects and counts commercial and investment banks, public and private pension funds, owners and developers and institutional landlords among its client list. Another name to note is Cynthia Mitchell in New York, a ‘top-notch’ real estate advisor for clients involved in the healthcare industry.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Cynthia Mitchell; Richard Mendelson; Dana Treister; Andrew Pearlstein; Ron Gart; Robert Bodansky
Testimonials
‘Seyfarth’s real estate team does an excellent job.’
‘Cynthia Mitchell and Elizabeth Dahill are top-notch.’
‘Ability to respond at a prompt pace and thoroughness to details.’
‘Jay A. Gitles has a very detailed, thorough and ethical approach to problem solving and coordinating a large group of entities thru complex transactions.’ Neal Robin has a tremendous work ethic always maintains schedule with constant coordination of many different challenges.’
‘We use Jay Gitles and Neal Robin on all our property matters in Chicago. Jay is the senior partner. We like his considered and practical approach to property matters. Neal is also an excellent lawyer who also provides us with valuable practical and legal advice on various issues from purchase, leasing and sale aspects of our property investments.’
‘I have found Seyfarth Shaw to be a strong business partner which operates diligently within the volatile commercial real estate field.’
‘Melissa Nelson in the Washington DC office has been a stellar example of a business partner who maintains her role as legal counsel with aplomb and a high level of diligence.’
‘Bob Bodansky is smart, creative, experienced and very efficient. He also is possessed of a very even keeled personality and advises clients in an extremely reasonable manner. He is very efficient as well.’
‘Gregg Bernhard specifically stands out for various reasons not limited to his exceptional industry knowledge and his desire to deliver service that goes beyond what is expected and often goes beyond the matter at hand. I’ve worked with him for many years and can rely on him in as aspects of a transaction.’
Key clients
John Hancock Life Insurance Company
LBA Realty
Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association
Mack-Cali Realty Corp.
New York Life Insurance Company
SunTrust Bank
Work highlights
- Represented long-time client, LBA Realty, in multiple transactions over the past year, in aggregate of $1bn.
- Represented LACERA in the sale to Prudential Insurance Company of a 50% membership interest of a multi-family portfolio consisting of five complexes throughout the Bay Area valued in excess of $500m.
- Represented NYL in a $450m loan to a borrower in relation to 29 industrial properties located in the Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Phoenix and Seattle areas.
- Represented Mack-Cali Realty Corp. in the $487.5m sale of a 56-building, 3.1 million square foot office/flex portfolio.
- Represented John Hancock in a $310m sale of a 40-story, class-A office tower in Chicago, IL.
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Under the leadership of New York-based Malcolm Montgomery, the 'well-rounded' team Shearman & Sterling LLP handles an impressive amount of joint venture work, delivering expertise in the formation of limited liability companies, partnerships and other ownership programs. Also active on the leasing front, the group represents landlord and tenants in all forms of leasing transactions from HQ offices and ground leases through to sale and leasebacks. The team also handles acquisitions and dispositions and is recognized for its strength in complex finance work, spanning structured finance and bank lending work. In line with its reputation for finance work, the team acts for a litany of domestic banks, as well as lending institutions from Canada, Mexico and Germany.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Shearman has a diverse, well rounded real estate practice and a good sense of the market and current practices. They are 100% committed to their clients and a positive client experience.’
‘Lisa Brill is simply the best. The most client-focused, capable, responsive, constructive and available attorney anywhere who is 100% dedicated to the needs and interests of her clients. For any complicated or sensitive transaction, Lisa is who we go to. There is no one better as a lawyer or a person.’
Key clients
Citibank
Deutsche Bank
Landesbank Baden-Württemberg
Shorenstein Properties
GTIS Partners
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Ascena Retail Group
SL Green Realty Corp.
Credit Suisse
Strategic Capital
Wafra Partners
US National Bank Association
Wellington Management Company
Hudson River Trading
Work highlights
- Advised Citibank as administrative agent in connection with Digital Realty’s agreement to acquire Ascenty for approximately $1.8bn.
- Represented Deutsche Bank New York Branch, as administrative agent, in connection with an amendment and restatement of an existing senior unsecured credit facility for Summit Hotel.
- Advised Citibank and KeyBank National Association as joint lead arrangers in connection with a $350m senior unsecured revolving credit facility for Independence Realty.
- Represented fintech Hudson River Trading in its 136,000 rentable square foot, 15-year headquarters lease at 3 World Trade Center.
- Represented Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company in connection with its $136.8m acquisition of two newly constructed office buildings in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP's has a reputation for public and private joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions, financing transactions and leasing deals, among other real estate matters. Key figures in the New York practice group include Anthony Colletta and Joseph Shenker.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP acts for private fund managers and real estate investors in strategic transactions across a variety of asset classes nationwide. The team is also active in real estate development finance and mortgage finance, and has also established a reputation in the New York commercial leasing market. Thomas Henry co-chairs the department in New York, acting for domestic and international real estate companies, funds and institutional lenders. Another contact in New York is David Drewes, who was recently promoted to practice co-chair. Highlights from the past year included acting for Paramount Group (a fully integrated real estate investment trust) in a series of transactions aimed at expanding into the San Francisco office market.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Willkie’s real estate practice is top tier and competes from both an experience and client service perspective with any real estate practice in the country. They become an extension of your company, focusing on driving your transactions to closing with excellent legal advice coupled with practical solutions.’
‘While all the partners and associates are top tier, Tom Henry in particular is in class of his own. He should be considered 1 of the best if not the best real estate attorney in the country. He has a combination of legal precision and a business acumen that is difficult to match. Some lawyers have 1 or the other but having both separates Tom from all his peers and gives him all the tools to provide first class representation to all his clients.’
‘Very strong work ethic – will work 24/7 to get work done within our timing requirements; highly professional; top shelf skill sets and knowledge for complex transactions; very good sense of when to defer to client on business decisions.’
‘Carly Saviano, Dan Backer, Mark Proctor and Liz Case are stand-outs’.
Key clients
Hudson’s Bay Company
Paramount Group
Colony Capital
Choice Hotels International
Washington Prime Group
Harbor Group International (HGI)
DiamondRock Hospitality
Meadow Partners
Tribeca Associates
Slate Property Group
Vereit
Jiaming Investment (Group) Co.
Centerbridge Partners
Bloomberg
St. John’s University
Access Industries
Work highlights
- Represented Paramount Group in its approximately $722m acquisition of Market Center, a two-building Class A office complex comprising 753,000 square feet, located in the South Financial District.
- Handled several major transactions for longtime client Colony Capital including its deal with Blackstone Real Estate Partners whereby it will acquire Colony Industrial, the industrial real estate assets and affiliated industrial operating platform of Colony Capital for $5.9bn.
- Represented Hudson’s Bay Company in the closing of its sale of its iconic Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue building in Manhattan to WeWork Property Investors for $850m.
- Represented The Generation Companies, and joint venture partner StepStone Real Estate in the disposition of a portfolio of 18 extended-stay hotel properties under the Hilton, Choice and IHG brands, located across the United States for a sales price of approximately $213m.
- Advised Harbor Group International, a private real estate and real estate-related investment and management firm, in the acquisition financing of $1bn in face value of mortgage loans sold by the Federal Home Loan Corporation
Akerman LLP
Akerman LLP is rated by clients for its work in complex financing deals, large-scale construction projects and urban redevelopment. Jointly headed by Eric Rapkin in Florida, Lawrence Eiben in Chicago and Allison Nelson in the Denver office, the group also has experience of portfolio transactions and distressed asset deals, land use and environmental issues, and disputes. A number of new arrivals from Duval & Stachenfeld LLP and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP have expanded the team, significantly strengthening its commercial leasing and investment offering. Former Duval & Strachenfeld partner Alan Cohen now chairs the real estate finance practice.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Steven Polivy; Richard Bezold; James McNeil; Susanne Zabloudil; Alan Cohen
Testimonials
‘They have an excellent knowledge base.’
Key clients
TruAmerica Multifamily
Sonder
Magellan Development
University of Miami
Seritage Properties
University of Miami
Parmenter Realty Partners
Brener International Group
CBRE Global Investors
Sovereign Bank
Work highlights
- Represented TruAmerica Multifamily in the negotiation and closing of a seven property multi-family portfolio sale in Southern California to Blackstone for over $500m.
- Represented the University of Miami in a long-term ground lease for a world-class medical center at the SoLeMia in North Miami being developed by the Soffer and LeFrak families.
- Represented the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center in connection with the development, construction, structuring and financing of its new 80,000 square foot community health center located at 131-42 40th Road in Queens, New York.
- Provided the Armenian American Museum in connection with real estate advice for the future site of its landmark cultural and educational center in Glendale Central Park, California.
- Representing a joint venture between Fulton Street Companies and Huizenga Capital Management in the acquisition and development of flagship office and retail complex in the Chicago’s Fulton Market corridor for furniture company Herman Miller.
Ballard Spahr LLP
Tina Makoulian leads the development and complex transactions team at Ballard Spahr LLP, which is renowned for its handling of mixed-use and condominium development projects, condemnations, tax structuring, land use matters and leasing. Washington DC-based Mary Jo George heads the housing practice, while Christopher Payne in Denver leads the resort, hospitality and timeshare practice, regularly advising on resort hotel developments, as well as timeshare and fractional deals. Dominic De Simone leads the finance and capital markets group, and represents lenders, special servicers, private equity firms and borrowers in loan transactions and distressed real estate deals. Bart Mellits chairs the real estate department. Named lawyers are based in Philadelphia unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Bart Mellits; Dominic De Simone; Mary Jo George; Tina Makoulian; Christopher Payne
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Southern Land Company
Wexford Science + Technology
8minute Solar Energy
Amtrak
New York City Housing Authority
Equus Capital Partners
Weller Development Company
LCOR
Kettler/Meridian Joint Venture
Work highlights
- Representing Southern Land in its development of a mixed-use high-rise project on a one acre site on Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.
- Representing Wexford Science + Technology, as the leasehold owner and developer of an approximately 250,000 square foot innovation center and knowledge community for the University of Pittsburgh in the Shadyside district in Pittsburgh.
- Representing 8minute Solar Energy in connection with its development of multiple utility scale solar and battery storage projects on tribal lands of the Moapa Band of Paiutes in Southern Nevada.
- Currently serving as P3 counsel to Amtrak in connection with the design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) redevelopment of 30th Street Station as part of Philadelphia 30th Street Station Development Project.
- Representing Weller Development Company, the developer of the massive, 260-acre Port Covington redevelopment project in Baltimore. The project will require an investment of approximately $6.9bn over roughly 25 years.
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance
’s real estate department is geared towards cross-border transactions and the representation of foreign entities in their US real estate investments, both directly and via joint ventures. The finance team has expertise in mortgage and mezzanine loans, as well as in development, leasing, sales and acquisitions. The practice group is headed by Ness Cohen in New York, an expert in the formation of real estate funds and fund investments. Investment banks, real estate funds, and other finance institutions make up the bulk of the core client base.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very high quality team up and down – literally from the partners to the associates and on to the paralegals. Highly dedicated and client-focused. Business minded and solution driven. Focused on the task at hand yet strategic and not myopic. Wide ranging experience with the ability to call upon additional resource or expertise as needed. Responsive, diligent and thorough. Proactive and not reactive.’
‘Ness Cohen is my main contact. He very commercial and business oriented. He understands how we succeed and what our goals are and works as an extension of our business. He anticipates well such that we do not feel like we are on the back foot and reacting. He is high quality, engaged and very responsive.’
‘Jeanne Roig-Irwin is an associate that works with Ness who is bright, diligent and a star.’
Key clients
Acme Equities
Alliven Group
Almanac Realty Investors
Amherst Residential
Deutsche Finance Group
J. Safra Real Estate (JSRE Acquisitions)
Hone Capital (f/k/a CSC Group International Corp)
KKR
Madison International Realty
MEAG Munich Ergo Asset Management
National Storage Affiliates Trust
ReNew REIT
Stockbridge Capital Partners
Safra National Bank of New York
YES! Communities
Work highlights
- Advised Stockbridge, a US-based real estate private equity sponsor, on the formation and capitalization of a joint venture to acquire industrial properties, including an initial 26-property portfolio on the West Coast.
- Acting for Madison International Realty of Forest City’s approximately 51% interest in a portfolio of 14 retail properties in the New York City metropolitan area.
- Advising longstanding client, Almanac, on a debt and equity investment in a joint venture with a best in class real estate investment and construction and asset management firm with a specialty in retail.
- Advised a Palo Alto-based venture capital firm on its multi-draw mortgage loan, secured by a portfolio of single-family rental homes spanning four states.
- Advised a large non-US asset manager on its proposed acquisition of an office tower located in midtown Manhattan.
Cox, Castle & Nicholson
Cox, Castle & Nicholson has a diverse multi-disciplinary approach to the real estate sector, providing comprehensive advice on property development and strategic investments. David Rosenberg and Erica Bose are names to note for institutional investment and corporate real estate transactions; Scott Grossfeld and Daniel Villalpando specialize in land development matters; and Preston Brooks and San Francisco-based Robert Doty oversee the firm's environmental law work. Another area of strength is real estate litigation, where Edward Quigley and Alicia Vaz are key contacts. Also recommended are Anne Mudge (also in San Francisco) and Andrew Fogg, who focus on land use matters, especially in the natural resources sector. All named attorneys are in Los Angeles unless stated otherwise.
Practice head(s):
Adam Weissburg; Caroline Dreyfus; David Rosenberg; Erica Bose; Anne Mudge; Andrew Fogg; Edward Quigley; Alicia Vaz; Scott Grossfeld; Daniel Villalpando
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Carmel Partners
Harbert Management Corporation
Oak Knoll Acquisition Ventures
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
Pacific Marina Venture
Golden West Properties
Imperial Irrigation District
Work highlights
- Acting for Carmel Partners in the redevelopment of an existing industrial site in the Arts District of Los Angeles with a new mixed-use residential live/work project containing 475 residential live/work units and 125,000 square feet of commercial uses.
- Acting for Oak Knoll Acquisition Ventures in the redevelopment of one of the largest privately-owned vacant properties in the City of Oakland, the 189-acre former Oak Knoll Naval Hospital site.
- Negotiated, amended and restated ground lease with the County of Los Angeles on behalf of Pacific Marina Venture and Golden West Properties for the redevelopment of Pier 44 in Marina del Rey.
- Represented the Imperial Irrigation District in negotiating an easement to the State of California in order to foster development of the conservation habitat on a design/build basis at The Salton Sea.
- Acting on behalf of twelve major urban water agencies with operations on the Upper Santa Ana River in the preparation of a habitat conservation plan covering all operations within the watershed (2,650 square miles located in San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange Counties in Southern California).
Eversheds Sutherland
Recognized by clients for its ‘business-focused’ approach, Eversheds Sutherland has core sector strengths hospitality, timberland and forest, energy and infrastructure, and data center assets. The firm is also experienced in institutional investment, capital markets deals and securitization. The key story for the team this year was the arrival of several new hires, significantly strengthening the team's real estate finance and investment capabilities. Finance and distressed asset expert John Busillo and Nicole Fenton joined the New York office from Arnold & Porter and Greenberg Traurig, LLP, respectively, while Marc Benjamin and Susan Kai joined in Chicago from White & Case LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP. The real estate group is headed by Victor Haley, a ‘practical advisor’ in the firm's Atlanta office.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Clayton Howell; James Jordan; Robinson Plowden; Marc Benjamin; John Benson; John Busillo; Nicole Fenton
Testimonials
‘The Eversheds Sutherland team is knowledgeable and presents great depth in terms of having a Partner and several associates that consistently provide us excellent representation. Our particular team has an excellent understanding of legal issues, and how to navigate issues in a manner that does not overly burden or stand in the way of deal-making. We are always pleased with the responsiveness our entire team receives from our attorneys at ES, and their ability to communicate and work with all levels within our office makes them a great asset to us.’
‘Mike Kerman deserves special mention for his unique ability to provide us such a breadth of expertise and knowledge to our firm. While Mike’s core competency of real estate law is always practiced with great expertise, it is his ability to provide us guidance, counsel, and legal advice on many other business and legal matters that make his contributions to our firm truly critical.’
‘Team is business-focused, not just legal-deliverable focused. Legal work is managed and accessed in a way that suits particular business needs, rather than traditional law firm needs – e.g. delivering advice in short emails rather than lengthy memos; sharing materials in online portals rather than emails.’
‘Victor Haley, in addition to being a leader in the practice area, is above all a practical attorney and advisor, focused on not just the legal work, but how clients need that work in order to move at the pace of business.’
‘Team is business-focused, not just legal-deliverable focused. Legal work is managed and accessed in a way that suits particular business needs, rather than traditional law firm needs – e.g. delivering advice in short emails rather than lengthy memos; sharing materials in online portals rather than emails.’
‘Victor Haley, in addition to being a leader in the practice area, is above all a practical attorney and advisor, focused on not just the legal work, but how clients need that work in order to move at the pace of business.’
Key clients
Berkadia Commercial Mortgage
Carter & Associates
Colo Atl
Cousins Properties
Freddie Mac
Fuqua Development
Georgia Tech Foundation
Gypsum Management & Supply
Hines
Holder Properties
Kibo
LNR Partners
New City
Oakmont Industrial Group
Pattillo Industrial Real Estate
Pollack Shores Real Estate Group
Preferred Apartment Communities
Skybox Datacenters
Strategic Asset Services
T5 Data Centers
The Brookdale Group
Work highlights
- Represented Hines in a significant transaction in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. The first phase of the project, known as Fenton, is a 92-acre, mixed-use retail, office, residential and hotel project, with more phases to come.
- Advised T5 Data Centers on the launch of a $2.5bn fully integrated platform to develop, acquire and operate data centres, including a seed portfolio of assets in North Carolina.
King & Spalding LLP
King & Spalding LLP has a reputation for the structuring and formation of investment funds, real estate finance, sales and acquisitions, development mandates and corporate leasing. Davis Powell is a key figure in the practice group, which has experience across office, multifamily, retail, industrial, healthcare and hotel assets with specific expertise in acting for private funds.
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
The 'very sharp and attentive team' at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP has a diverse service offering covering large-scale, multi-year development projects and land use matters, investment deals and acquisitions, and the negotiation of public-private partnerships. In addition, the team has an active commercial leasing practice across office, industrial and retail property, and is also strong on the financing front, where it handles debt and equity financing deals, and mortgage finance. Michael Polentz and Anita Sabine jointly chair the practice from Palo Alto and Los Angeles, respectively; the two act for a client roster that includes funds and other investors, developers, owners and operators, and lending institutions.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very sharp and attentive team. They accommodate all of our real estate legal needs in a timely manner and communicate important and complex subject matter effectively.’
‘They listen and prioritize effectively. Easy to trust. Very prompt responses. Great at problem solving.’
Key clients
Bohannon Development Corp.
Jay Paul Company
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Lowe Enterprises
Olive Hill Group
PIMCO (Pacific Investment Management Co.)
TH Real Estate
The Macerich Co.
Trammell Crow Residential
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Work highlights
- Continuing to represent the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in its plans for a $650m modification leading to a new 300,000 square foot facility that includes a bridge across Wilshire Boulevard.
- Represented Jay Paul Company in virtually every one of its financings and refinancings of more than 11 million square feet of institutional-quality space, with an additional 6 million square feet in its active pipeline, totaling more than $12bn of transactions.
- Representing Lowe Enterprises in relation to several development projects across the country totaling more than $487m.
- Represented the Olive Hill Group in the recapitalization of an office building at 520 Broadway in Santa Monica, California, a deal valued at over $120m.
- Representing Trammell Crow Residential as the master developer in its multibillion-dollar mixed-use, transit-oriented waterfront development of the former Alameda Naval Air Station, which closed more than 20 years ago.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Real estate development is a core strength for the team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, which represents a number of regional and national developers, institutional owners, municipalities and public agencies in land acquisitions and permitting through to construction contracts and leasing. The firm also has a strong finance and investment practice, acting for private real estate funds and other investors in portfolio and single-asset transactions. In terms of sector strengths, the team is active in the higher education sector, and also has particular experience of green building and sustainable developments, and energy and environment-related projects. Richard Toelke in Boston jointly leads the department alongside Eric Stern in the Philadelphia office.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Their approach to real estate transactions provides a coupling of partner level expertise with senior associate level capabilities. Having a partner and a senior associate on nearly every call or in each meeting typically generates a higher cost; however, the value of the continuance of knowledge of the transaction, both speeds and streamlines the delivery of their work product, which outweighs the potential increase in fees.’
‘Eric Stern and Kevin Delaney are superior attorneys. Broad and commercial perspective with insight into market terms.’
Key clients
JBG SMITH
Network Realty Partners
The Frankel Group
Skanska USA Commercial Development
American Campus Communities
Drexel University
Hamilton Lane
Iovance Biotherapeutics
Ares EIF Management
National Grid
Birdsboro Power
AES California
New Pacific Realty Corp.
CubeSmart
BP Products North America
Work highlights
- Represented JBG SMITH in the successful pursuit and selection by Amazon of JBG SMITH as its partner for the development of Amazon’s HQ2 at National Landing in Arlington, Virginia.
- Represented Arlington, VA-based firm client Network Realty Partners and equity partner USAA Real Estate in connection with the closing of the acquisition financing and joint venture arrangements relating to the Union Square office complex located at 899 and 999 North Capitol Street, NE, in the newly revitalized NoMA submarket of Washington, DC.
- Represented JBG Smith Properties in connection with a refinance of a $245m loan and $10.1m letter of credit construction loan facility from Bank of America as lead lender.
- Represented The Frankel Group in connection with the closing of the approximately $56m acquisition of Nottingham Commons, a retail shopping center located in Baltimore County, Maryland.
- Represented an affiliate of Skanska USA Commercial Development in connection with the closing of the approximately $141.5m sale of the RESA (Ree-Sah) multifamily apartment building, located at 22 M Street, NE, Washington, DC, to The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has a distinct focus on the technology sector where it represents tech companies in all forms of real estate transactions from acquisitions and financings through to developments and leasing. The group is also experienced in mortgage finance, joint venture investment and development, distressed assets and secured loan acquisitions. Noted for its 'knowledgeable and efficient' service, the team is headed by Los Angeles-based Gerard Walsh and counts institutional and private equity investors, private equity funds, lenders and developers and domestic and foreign institutional investors among its key clients. Deals in the hospitality sector are a core focus; among many recent transactions, the team advised Barings and Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association on the $224m sale of its St. Regis Princeville Resort and Makai Golf Club.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Michael Liever; Randolph Perry; Nicole Walsh; Dustin Calkins; Jacobus Machalow
Testimonials
‘The team and the individuals are knowledgeable, quick to turn documents, efficient with their time and are tough negotiators while maintaining a good demeanor.’
‘Marshall Brozost and Alykhan Shivji stand out as particularly knowledgeable, great negotiators, excellent problem solvers, and quick to turn documents all while maintaining a demeanor that is tough when it needs to be and pleasant when tough is not necessary’.
Key clients
Westbrook Partners
Walton Street Capital
State Street Global Advisors
DWS’s RREEF Property Trust
Swift Realty Partners
Stockbridge
Arel Capital
Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA)
Ascend Real Estate Partners
Hackman Capital Partners
BlueMountain Capital
Bentall Kennedy
MacFarlane Partners
Colony Capital
Maximus
Bristol Group
Roxborough Group
Calmwater Capital
Broadreach Capital
GLL Real Estate Partners
Ramsbury Property
Zynga
Rosemawr
Cardinal Group
Work highlights
- Advised a partnership that included developer Gerson Bakar & Associates on the over $800m sale of Levi’s Plaza to Jamestown. The Plaza is an office and retail complex that spans nine buildings along San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront.
- Advising Westbrook Partners on their visionary transformation of St. John’s Terminal, a $1bn+ mixed-use redevelopment project in Manhattan.
- Acting for gaming app developer Zynga on executing a sale agreement with an affiliate of Beacon Capital Partners for the sale and leaseback of Zynga’s corporate headquarters in San Francisco for approximately $600m.
- Represented MacFarlane Partners on the recapitalization and sale of two development projects with a combined value in excess of $600m.
- Represented a joint venture of Blue Mountain and AWH Partners on the combined $290m sale to two buyer entities of a portfolio of 8 Embassy Suites franchised hotel properties in Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Ohio and Michigan.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP
Noted for its 'timely professional advice' and 'business sense', Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP provides its clients with comprehensive real estate advice, from development, environmental diligence, and leasing, to portfolio and asset transactions and litigation. San Francisco-based Rachel Horsch chairs the department, which is distinguished by its impressively broad sector expertise. In addition to core real estate sectors such as hospitality, industrial, retail, resorts and leisure, the team also has experience in transactions involving healthcare facilities, affordable and military housing, senior living and education. The team is also active in real estate finance, where it handles loan modifications and restructuring, as well as transactions involving distressed real estate assets and loans.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team has always been able to provide us with timely professional advice and assistance pertinent to the circumstances. In addition, their advices have not only taken into account of technical aspect, but also with business sense.’
‘Mr Andy Weiner who has been helping our group for years, is not only good at legal aspect, but have give us sensible solutions taking into consideration business sense. He is efficient and has always been able to give us quick response whenever we need his help. In addition, he is proactive in keeping us abreast of relevant legal updates applicable to our businesses. His colleagues are also helpful and professional.’
Key clients
Shorenstein
San Francisco Baseball Association/San Francisco Giants
Spear Street Capital
WeWork
New York University
NYU Langone Health
New York University School of Law Foundation
Klövern
United States Postal Service
Hoffman-Stuever Waterfront (The Wharf District)
Great Eagle Holdings
Work highlights
- Represented Barrett Block Partners in the option agreement associated with the sale of property and 4th and Harrison Streets in San Francisco.
- Representing Triple Five Worldwide on the acquisition, financing, and development of a 47 acre property that is being converted into a multibillion-dollar mixed-use sustainable urban neighborhood known as the Warner Center.
- Representing Poly Real Estate Group Co. in the acquisition of a 40% equity interest in the $6bn Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island redevelopment project, situated along the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
- Represented Pacific Hospitality Group in its sale of Bacara Resort & Spa to a pair of non-traded real estate investment trusts run by New York-based Carey Watermark Investors.
- Advised Pacific Eagle Holdings, a wholly-owned San Francisco-based subsidiary, on a $119m loan to refinance a The Langham, at 400 Fifth Avenue.
Polsinelli PC
Polsinelli PC has equal focus on debt and dirt matters with specialist sector expertise in student housing and healthcare assets, in addition to a variety of other corporate real estate. The practice group is regularly involved in acquisition, development and leasing matters nationwide, and is also noted for its finance team, which has expertise in mortgage finance, development and construction finance, various lending transactions and preferred equity financings. Another distinguishing characteristic of the team is its expertise in tax credits and the economic incentives involved with real estate-based public finance. Kansas City-based Kraig Kohring and Eric Greenfield in Chicago jointly head the practice with Amy Kiefer Hansen in Denver and John Duncan III in the Dallas office.
Practice head(s):
Kraig Kohring; Eric Greenfield; Amy Kiefer Hansen; John Duncan III
Other key lawyers:
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP's New York real estate group is well known for its handling of complex financing and corporate real estate transactions, including single-asset and portfolio deals, and equity and debt financing. Julian Wise leads the practice group which counts institutional and non-institutional investors, bank lenders and development companies among its client list. Wise in particular has an impressive roster of bank and private fund clients, which he advises on secured financing and acquisitions across the US. Another name to note is Seth Henslovitz, an expert in commercial property transactions, workouts and the acquisition and disposition of mortgage debt.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
The Festival Companies
Monday Properties
Work highlights
- Represented Mack Real Estate Credit Strategies in RFR Holding’s acquisition of properties at 145 and 155 E. 42nd St, the iconic Chrysler Building in New York City.
- Advising Albertsons Companies, one of the nation’s largest food and drug retailers, in connection with its $2bn financing of approximately 400 grocery stores and distribution centers in 14 states.
- Advised Mack Real Estate Group in connection with multiple loans secured by the St. Regis hotels in Bal Harbour, Florida and Washington, DC and The Manhattan at Times Square, a 689-room, 22-story hotel that sits on an entire block bordered by Broadway, Seventh Avenue, West 51st and West 52nd Streets in Manhattan.
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP's 'cohesive' real estate group ticks all of the key boxes, with noted expertise in acquisitions, public-private developments, and commercial real estate finance. San Diego-based Nancy Scull jointly leads the department with Keith Garner in San Francisco. The team has been particularly active in build-to-suit office developments, and also has a strong track record in handling complex leases on behalf of multinational technology companies.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Thomas Masenga; Pamela Westhoff; Scott Morehouse; Anna Dorros
Testimonials
‘The team functions well as a cohesive group whose primary function is to provide the highest level of quality service and advice to clients. The members of the team demonstrate high levels of commitment to the project while maintaining a spirit of camaraderie amongst themselves and between them and the client.’
‘Each member of the team brings significant expertise in one or more complementary areas so that the entire team reflects deep substantive knowledge of technical and legal topics relevant to the project, which enhances the quality of the advice and strategic direction. The team listens carefully to the client’s needs and goals and offers advice to get to those goals most efficiently, including incorporating relevant local political climate issues.’
‘They communicate clearly, effectively and consistently; they know when to float issues they see and who to raise them with. Their billing is very competitive — much more efficient than their competition. We used this team for a high profile, paradigm-shifting project that will transform the local area, and would choose them again in a heartbeat.’
‘Domenic Drago is highly knowledgeable, excellent negotiator, strategically minded, diplomatic but still forceful when necessary, thinks ahead so many steps that he would likely be a chess master if he were not a lawyer.’
‘Jen Chavez is highly knowledgeable (particularly on CEQA and related matters), ruthlessly efficient, so diplomatic that even those on the receiving end of bad news feel good about it after.’
Key clients
KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT
KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT II
Revantage and BRE Hotels and Resorts
Shea Commercial Properties
Lincoln
Trammel Crow Commercial
D.R. Horton
New York State Teachers’ Retirement System
Prudential
Lennar Communities
Holland Partner Group
Work highlights
- Represented Sand Hill Property Company in connection with the renegotiation and restructuring of eight joint ventures that own over $2bn of assets in Northern California.
- Represented KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT and KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT II in acquisitions, dispositions and financings with an aggregate transaction value of over $1bn.
- Represented SteelWave Faring Capital, Pendulum Property Partners and Lincoln Property Company in numerous acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, ground lease and sale-leaseback transactions of properties valued at over $1bn.
- Represented The Jay Paul Company in various developments totaling more than $1bn.
- Represented NRG Energy in connection with real estate and financing of the Carlsbad Energy Center, an over $650m 500MW gas fired power project.
Thompson Hine LLP
Thompson Hine LLP runs a diverse real estate practice, with experience of financing, acquisitions, developments and leasing matters. Headed by Thomas Coyne in Ohio, the team also benefits from complementary skill sets in areas such as planning, and extensive experience in real estate-related litigation. In the finance space, the practice group acts for banks and alternative lenders in bank finance and equity transactions. As for development, the team advises investors and companies on the development and acquisition matters, specifically in relation to corporate headquarters.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
James Aronoff; Robert Curry; Robyn Minter Smyers; Darrel Davison; Stephen King
Testimonials
Key clients
United Technologies Corporation
Bank of China
SITE Centers
Brookfield Asset Management
Brookfield Properties (formerly Forest City Realty Trust)
Pratt & Whitney
AkzoNobel
KeyBank
Peppertree / K2 / Blue Sky
Work highlights
- Represented Ackermann Group in the redevelopment of properties including multi-family, office and retail.
- Representation of Brookfield Property Retail in its planned $1bn re-development of NewPark Mall in Newark, California.
- Counsel to Collins Aerospace on acquisition and development of new $50m facility in Lenexa, Kansas, for the manufacture of parts to be supplied to AirBus for new plane engines.
- Representing a national developer in a $110m mixed-use gateway project involving the ground lease from a municipality for the development of a 200-unit downtown luxury high rise apartment building, 15,000 square foot of retail space, 525-space parking garage, a boutique or nationally branded hotel, office space and green space.
- Counsel to Bolton Family in rezoning and redevelopment of 200+ prime acres northeast Ohio for a mixed-use multi-year project, including residential, office and mixed use.
Vinson & Elkins LLP
Vinson & Elkins LLP is ‘proactive in anticipating and addressing potential issues’ and is rated for its ability to help clients 'prioritize multiple issues on the table or multiple deals that all have a hard deadline'. The team has made several new hires in 2019, which has transformed the look of the group and significantly strengthened its service in real estate acquisition and dispositions, as well as in office and retail leasing. Practice co-head Wallace Schwartz joined the firm from Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP alongside Adam Endick and Julia Sanabria. Schwartz has specialist expertise in real estate development, acquisitions, and leasing, jointly leads the group with Paul Martin in Dallas. Clients include banks, private equity firms, public and private real estate investment trusts, developers, contractors, and commercial landlords and tenants.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is always ready to discuss things from many different points of view so you can see both sides of the argument. They are also very responsive and will help you prioritize multiple issues on the table or multiple deals that all have a hard deadline.’
‘They are personable, smart, eloquent, have a positive attitude, and have a sense of humor when things get tough.’
‘The V&E real estate practice understands my company’s goals, requirements, hot button issues and anticipates issues accordingly. Consequently, they are able to be proactive in anticipating and addressing potential issues early in the process of getting a transaction completed.’
‘I work with Randy Jurgensmeyer (Partner) and Courtney Hammond (Associate). Both are outstanding. Randy has more than 30 years of experience and uses his vast experience, knowledge and attention to detail to be creative when necessary to solve legal issues in a favorable manner taking into account my goals as a client. Courtney Hammond is an outstanding young lawyer. She is highly efficient, diligent, hardworking and does a great job getting work out. It is always a pleasure to work with both Randy and Courtney.’
Key clients
Alex. Brown Realty
Clarion Partners
CBRE Global Investors
CommonWealth Partners
Crow Holdings Capital Partners
Daseke
Enviva Development Holdings
Goldman Sachs
Hall Emery Real Estate/JP Morgan Asset Management
Hillwood Properties
iStar Financial
WeWork Companies
The Related Companies
Starwood Property Trust
Boston Properties
Rockpoint Group
Extell Development Company
Westbrook Partners
JDS Development Group
Fetner Properties
Paramount Group
Oxford Properties
Taconic Capital
GreenOak Real Estate
Taconic Investment Partners
Turnbridge Equities
Joy Construction
East End Capital
Steel Equities
L&L MAG
Deerfield Management Company
Linklaters
Work highlights
- Represented Woods Capital Management in the acquisition of One AT&T Plaza, a landmark 37-story, Class A office tower that houses AT&T’s 965,800 square foot global headquarters.
- Advised Goldman Sachs’ renewable energy fund on its approximately $350m acquisition from Marina Energy, a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries, of its solar portfolio.
- Represented Hillwood Properties in connection with its leasing of a to-be-constructed 783,000 square foot national distribution center to Callaway Golf Company in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Represented a joint venture of Goldman Sachs and Lincoln Harris in connection with the development and leasing of three new office towers in the Legacy Union development in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Represented Spear Street Capital in the $135m acquisition of a 267,399-square foot, nine-story, Class A office building in Washington DC. The office building sits one block north of Nationals Park and directly atop the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is deeply experienced in large-scale multi-state real estate acquisitions and dispositions, as well as in real estate finance and development matters. The practice group has an on-the-ground presence in several major commercial centers across the country, handling all types of major asset classes, including office, retail, industrial, hospitality, data centers and multi-family residential, among others. Los Angeles-based David Phelps leads the department alongside, Marc Epstein in Fort Worth and John Allen Bain in the Dallas office. Clients include investment funds, individual investors and pension funds, commercial and industrial developers, hospitals and government agencies.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
21C Museum Hotels
ARA Asset Management
Aronov Development
BlackRock Realty Advisors
Burton Way Hotels
CFT NV Developments
Colony Capital (f/k/a Colony NorthStar)
CorePoint Lodging
Diamond Realty Investments
Great Wolf Resorts
Guggenheim Partners
IPI Data Centers Partners Management
Iron Point Partner
Montana Avenue Capital Partners
NewcrestImage
Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO)
The National Academy Museum and School
TIER REIT
Tom Barrack
VWI Partners
Woodbury Corporation
Work highlights
- Representing Majestic Resorts in the development of its newest luxury hotel. This location will feature a tower with ten floors of office condominiums, an adjacent restaurant pad and wellness center.
- Advised IPI on its purchase of operating data center facility manager Infomart and three data centers across the US.
- Served as lead counsel to a private equity fund in the disposition of two data centers in the US.
- Served as lead counsel to a private equity fund in the disposition of a portfolio of seven data centers in the US.
- Represented 7-Eleven, the largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry, in its definitive agreement to acquire approximately 1,110 convenience stores in 19 geographic regions, primarily along the East Coast and in Texas, from Sunoco for $3.3bn.
Baker & Hostetler LLP
Baker & Hostetler LLP has specialist knowledge of healthcare, energy, student housing, sport and hospitality, and mixed-use real estate projects. The team also has an active housebuilding practice, complemented by niche expertise in new market, historic and low-income housing tax credits. Joint practice heads Robert Gebaide and Amy Kellogg have broad-based expertise in single-asset and portfolio transactions, financing and development, and commercial leasing and management. Of late, the team has been involved in the construction of several major industrial facilities in the Southeastern US. Gebaide and Kellogg are based in Orlando and Cleveland, respectively.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Joann Gallagher Jones; Wendy Markham; Gregory Lee; Michael Pappert
Key clients
Hyatt Corporation
Big River Steel
Millennia Companies
Hard Rock Café International (USA)
Northside Hospital
Pulte Home Company (including brands Pulte Homes, Centex, Sun City, Del Webb, and John Wieland Homes & Neighborhoods)
Wendy’s International
Accesso Partners
The Milestone Companies
TransDigm Group
Work highlights
- Represented Accesso Partners in the restructuring of 40 office buildings and projects across the US that are owned by various investment funds controlled by the client.
- Representing Big River Steel in connection with the construction and operation of its $2.6bn steel mill manufacturing facility in Osceola, Arkansas.
- Representing Accesso Partners in the acquisition of the 201 acre multi-use development called “Innovation Park” in Charlotte, NC, and in the disposition of a majority interest in nine office buildings located throughout the US to an international real estate company.
- Representing Zydeco 66 and its affiliates in the development of a high-rise condominium, hotel and commercial project (“Welch Street”) in Houston, Texas.
- Representing Millennia on the acquisition, financing and LIHTC restructuring of 35 projects across seven states involving more than 3,600 apartment units with acquisition and development costs exceeding $500m.
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts L.L.P. acts for real estate investors and private funds in a variety of development matters, corporate real estate transactions, financing and commercial leasing deals. Over the past year the practice group noted an uptick in acting for equity investors and tenants in build-to-suit projects, and has also been representing an increasing number of institutional investors in relation to office tower and mixed-use development projects. Headed by Pat Stanton in San Francisco, the team also has experience of real estate deals involving energy assets.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Work highlights
- Represented Hunt Realty in the sale of approximately 481 acres of property to a third party developer for the purpose of constructing a new headquarters for the PGA of America, along with a hotel and conference center.
- Acting for Hines in a multi-use redevelopment of the 66 acre Parks at Walter Reed former army medical base in the District of Columbia.
Brown Rudnick LLP
Brown Rudnick LLP ‘combines great real estate and legal skills with a true sense of helping the client to achieve business objectives’. The team is hailed as ‘exceptional’ in the areas of retail and hospitality, where it represents a number of global chain retailers and restaurants. Boston-based Thomas Phillips (‘well-known and well-connected’) heads the department, which routinely handles acquisitions and other portfolio transactions, large-scale developments, finance deals, and transactions involving distressed assets. The team also has experience in the renewable energy space.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Expertise in tax, corporation, and real estate.’
‘Vince Guglielmotti, Lindsay Wilson, and Catherine Gardner are recommended.’
‘The retail real estate team at Brown Rudnick is exceptional. The team has a combination of great real estate and legal skills combined with a true sense of how they can help a business achieve its objectives. They are experts of what a tenant wants in a lease, want rights case law and regulations provide a property holder and how to negotiate on a client’s behalf that is ethical and effective. The team is well networked and respected industry wide. I think Brown Rudnick is unique in that they give you such personalized attention for your issue and your work. They focus on how to help the client, both short term and long term. I have worked with other law firms and Brown Rudnick is the best at adding their industry knowledge and learning the touch points and risk appetite of the client as well as our internal politics, with which they have to help us navigate.’
‘Tom Phillips leads this team and is the ultimate retail real estate expert. He is well known and well connected. He knows not only the law and the business of retail real estate – he can help you calibrate to get the right deal. A real estate lease negotiation is the beginning of a 10-20 year relationship between the parties so while a client wants the most rights, it also have to consider the relationship. Tom is great at helping you consider that as well.’
‘Kathy Sloss is a smart, hardworking very experienced negotiator who has spent time inside a retailer as well as at law firms. She knows how companies make decisions, what information is needed and how to help them achieve their goals.’
Key clients
AT&T Mobility
Calare Properties
Clay Ventures
Drake Real Estate Partners
Hemisphere Development Group
Plymouth Industrial REIT
Primark
Queensgate Investments
Feldco Development
Wagamama
Wynn Resorts (d/b/a Encore Boston Harbor)
Snapbox Self Storage (JV between Self Storage Capital Partners and CSM Capital Corporation)
Ulta Beauty
Work highlights
- Advised Queensgate Investments, a London-based investment firm, on its $400m purchase of micro-hotel operator Freehand Hotels and the Broken Shaker restaurants operating at each hotel.
- Serves as counsel to Encore Boston Harbor in its redevelopment of a contaminated 33-acre former chemical plant site into a five-star destination resort with a publicly accessible waterfront park in Everett, MA.
- Representing Feldco Development as the Managing Member of P-3 Partners in conjunction with its proposed development of Tremont Crossing, a 1.2 million square foot development in the Roxbury district of Boston that will include retail, office, residential, and cultural uses.
- Acting for Primark in relation to the leasing of a 47,000 square foot store site at the Sawgrass Mills Mall from Simon Properties, Miami.
- Advising Drake Real Estate Partners on fund formation and real estate investment purchases with local operating partners across multiple assets classes.
Cooley LLP
Cooley LLP handles development projects and commercial leasing matters across a range of asset types, including mixed-use, office, retail, residential, industrial and transport, healthcare and hotel projects. John Lavoie oversees the practice in Reston, Virginia. Lavoie specializes in corporate real estate transactions and property finance throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The team is particularly knowledgeable of the Washington DC and North Virginia markets and directs particular attention to the acquisition, construction, development financing and leasing of data centers.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Mark Looney; Colleen Gillis; Samantha LaPine; Michelle Garcia Schulman; Michael Levinson
Key clients
Miller & Smith
SA Associates South
Appian Corporation
Tenable Holdings
Boston Properties
Brookfield Properties
Arcola
The Wharf/PN Hoffman
Leidos
JBG Smith
Work highlights
- Represented The Peterson Companies in its approval for a 75 square foot retail center in Leesburg, Virginia.
- Represented ByteGrid in the sale of its data center portfolio.
- Represented Comstock Companies, a publicly-traded development company, in two separate developments to expand Comstock’s existing Reston Station development near the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail station.
- RepresentingThe Wharf, the second-largest mixed-use development in the country spanning 24 acres of land and 50 acres of water on the District of Columbia waterfront, in all of its office leasing and various development matters.
- Represented Leidos in the negotiation of a new 275,000 RSF world-headquarters lease for the entire building being constructed by Boston Properties and located at 1750 Presidents Street, Reston, Virginia.
Dickinson Wright PLLC
The ‘cohesive’ team at Dickinson Wright PLLC ‘goes above and beyond to ensure that all matters are handled quickly and efficiently’. Clients include financial institutions, commercial and residential developers, investors, lenders and multinational corporations, among others. In Troy, Michigan, the ‘standout’ Michael Lusardi heads the department alongside Katheryne Zelenock. Areas of specialization include leasing, financing, developments, sales and acquisitions, litigation and title insurance. The team has experience across industrial, retail, office, hospitality, residential and mixed-use property deals, and also has core strengths in eminent domain, condemnation law, and economic inventive agreements.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Harlan Robins; Monica Labe; Courtney Hollins; James Patterson
Testimonials
‘We have received thorough and excellent guidance from James Patterson with regard to crafting a favorable lease renegotiation and subsequent purchase contract.’
‘Mr. Patterson’s ability to listen and discern priorities as well as his attention to detail are most appreciated.’
‘The team is very cohesive. They are able to tackle all angles of a real estate transaction, which is extremely helpful to an in-house legal team that may know what to look for, but the Dickinson-Wright team is able to expand upon. Given the nature of the law firm as a whole, if there are tax or environmental issues in a real estate transaction, they have the team and resources available to get the answer quickly and correctly.’
‘The standout partners are Michael Lusardi and Mahesh Nayak. They are different from other competitors because of their desire to understand our business and long-term goals. They provide valuable insight on not just an actual real estate transaction but also tangential matters that will make sure all avenues are covered. And their price point is far better than any of the competitors.’
‘Dickinson-Wright’s real estate team consists of a deep bench of talent, including senior partners, mid-level partners, associates, and a paralegal, thereby ensuring that all matters can be staffed in a cost-effective manner. The DW team goes above and beyond to ensure that all matters are handled quickly and efficiently. The team has handled very complex real estate transactions for our company, and we have been very impressed with their legal advice, talent, and work ethic. The team members do not rest on their laurels; rather they are constantly striving to improve their already top-notch legal service.’
‘Monica Labe is an excellent leader of the team. She has unparalleled expertise in complex real estate matters, and we have high confidence in her legal advice and leadership. Michael Lusardi also provides leadership to the team and is likewise a great attorney. The team is heavily supported by two mid-level partners, Ian Hunter and Erin Johnson, who are both very talented lawyers with whom we have the pleasure to work. Finally, we are fortunate recipient of the excellent paralegal services of Amy Fox Long, as well as, real estate legal services of attorneys, Shannon Nichols and Kim Bryant (both of whom are very personable and skilled attorneys).’
Key clients
Desert Rock Enterprises
Greystone Servicing Company
Orix Real Estate Mortgage Capital
Pinnacle Bank
Arbor Agency Lending
Kaufman Development
Northlight Real Estate Opportunity Fund I
Town of Queen Creek, Arizona
FCA US (Fiat Chrysler)
Work highlights
- Engaged in ongoing work to negotiate the modification of a $90m CMBS shopping center loan for a large real estate developer.
- Represented Northlight Real Estate Opportunity Fund I in the remediation and sale of 83 acres of brownfield land in Perth Amboy, NJ to Duke Realty.
- Engaged in ongoing work to negotiate concessions with a CMBS special servicer with respect to lease renewals and cash management on a $23m office building loan for a large real estate owner.
- Represented the City of Mesa in the negotiation and drafting of a purchase and option agreement, development agreement, ground lease, and parking declaration for property presently owned by the City and adjacent to the City’s spring training facility for the Chicago Cubs MLB team.
- Engaged in ongoing work to negotiate concessions with a CMBS special servicer with respect to lease renewals and cash management on a $23m office building loan for a large real estate owner.
Fennemore Craig
Fennemore Craig is active across all core areas of commercial real estate, from finance and development to leasing and property sales. In addition to traditional asset classes such as retail, office and industrial, the team also has experience of golf course developments, and matters involving healthcare properties, convenience stores and motor fuel stations, and large-scale planned communities. Jointly headed by Jay Kramer and James Bond in Arizona, the group is also recognized for its focus on land and real estate transactions involving federal and state agencies.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Hannay Realty Advisors and its affiliates
Circle K Stores
DMB Associates
Pulte Home Corporation
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold
Trammell Crow Company
Oryx
Woodbine Development Corporation
The Molasky Group of Companies
Legado Companies
Work highlights
- Acted for PH in the development of a new city courthouse for the City of Las Vegas.
- Represented Legado Redondo in negotiating and closing construction loan for mixed use project.
- Acted on behalf of Canyon Corporate Plaza Property in the sale of two high rise buildings with a two-part parking structure on approximately 7-8 acres of land at Dunlap Avenue and the I-17 Freeway, along with approximately 6.4 acres of adjacent vacant land for the purchase price of $31.2m.
- Acted for Bridge Enterprises on the sale of approximately 2.23 acres of improved land for the purchase price of $15m.
- Represented Rauch Fruschsafte in relation to the formation of a corporation with Red Bull to build, own and operate a bottling and distribution facility in Goodyear.
Herrick, Feinstein LLP
Home to a ‘very hands-on, experienced and user-friendly’ practice group, Herrick, Feinstein LLP is experienced in the development, financing, leasing and sale of commercial real estate, hospitality properties and large-scale residential and condominium projects. New York-based Belinda Schwartz, hailed for her ‘superior breadth of knowledge and contacts’, heads the real estate team, which is particularly well placed to handle public-private matters, working in conjunction with the firm's government relations practice.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They have the contacts and knowledge to help their clients achieve the desired result that would be desired in a transaction. They are deal makers; not deal killers. If one path doesn’t work, they try another to achieve the desired result, all the while they are not putting their client at risk. They also take the time to educate their client so that they fully understand the risks of a specific transaction. I am proud to say that my law firm is Herrick when entering into a transaction.’
‘Working with Belinda Schwartz has been very rewarding. She always brings her best advice to the table without making the client feeling inferior or uninformed. The breadth of knowledge and contacts are superior. She is fully engaged. Christina Ying has been a fearsome negotiator and makes certain that my positions and risk are well defined and covered. Any exposure I may have is clearly explained and detailed so that any decision I make is well thought out and discussed.’
‘A very hands-on, experienced and user friendly group. They are also very responsive and I always get call-backs the same day.’
‘As indicated above, very knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. I would single out Belinda Schwartz who heads up the real estate group.’
Key clients
Centennial Bank
Common Living
Community Preservation Corporation
DH Property Holdings
F&T Land Group
FBE Limited
Harbor Group International
HK Organization
KiSKA Developers
Migdal Insurance Company
Millennium Management
MRP Realty
Muss Development
NYS Teachers’ Retirement System
Rabina Properties
Risland US Holdings
Shorenstein Properties
Terra Holdings
The Trust for Governors Island
Work highlights
- Representing the Trust for Governors Island, a New York City not-for-profit organization in charge of the planning, redevelopment and operations of 150 acres of Governors Island, NY, in matters relating to the redevelopment of Governors Island and in performing the ground lease work.
- Represented an affiliate of Harbor Group International in the acquisition of a $117m newly constructed 193- unit multi-family property known as The Frederick, located at 564 St. John’s Place, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
- Represented Greystar in connection with the $237.5m acquisition of a multi-family residential apartment building, 800 Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.
- Represented HK Organization, in a joint venture with Midtown Equities and Rockwood Capital, to redevelop Brooklyn’s Empire Stores, a complex of seven historic warehouses. The property was transformed into a mixed-use creative hub with 100,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and event space in addition to 300,000 square feet of office space.
- Represented the Community Preservation Corporation as the equity provider in the $500m+ renovation of 16 New York City Housing Authority buildings in Manhattan
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Hogan Lovells US LLP stands out for the strength of its global network. Working alongside its international colleagues, the US real estate team routinely handles inbound investment work from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The team is especially active in the hospitality and leisure sectors. Denver-based Ana Tenzer and Lea Ann Fowler are key contacts for finance matters, and David Isbell has experience of investment and development transactions, and litigation.
Husch Blackwell LLP
Husch Blackwell LLP has a strong presence throughout the Midwest, where it is rated for its 'deep subject-matter knowledge' and its 'ability to partner with the client'. St. Louis-based Carrie Hermeling heads the real estate, development and construction team, and has expertise in corporate real estate transactions as well as real estate-related litigation. In addition to its work in core commercial real estate assets and social infrastructure developments, the team is highly regarded in deals involving stadiums and sports arenas, areas where Gregory Smith and Kevin Kelley in Denver are key contacts. Charles Renner in Kansas City is a name to note for public-private partnership work.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Kevin Kelley; Charles Renner; Gregory Smith; David Linenbroker
Testimonials
‘Deep subject-matter knowledge is table stakes. What makes Husch Blackwell unique is their ability to partner with the client — to understand the client’s strategy and outcome goals. I look to our real estate professionals at Husch Blackwell as trusted business advisors, not just legal counsellors.’
‘David Linenbroker and Courtney Hill have become trusted members of our real estate team. We look to them for their business insights as well as their legal expertise.’
Key clients
City of Kansas City, Missouri
CBL & Associates Properties
Washington State Major League Baseball Public Facilities District
Circuit of the Americas
Hunt Development Group
Aimco
City of Phoenix, Arizona
Highland Development and The Davis Companies
Raven Development
Kiel Center Partners and the St. Louis Blues NHL team
Platform Ventures
Work highlights
- Represented City of Kansas City, Missouri, in plans to build a new airport terminal.
- Represented Washington State MLB Stadium Public Facilities District, the public owner of T-Mobile Park, in structuring, negotiating and drafting definitive documents with the Seattle Mariners for a 25-year term extension.
- Acting for Circuit of the Americas in the development of a mixed use project in Austin, Texas consisting of over 1300 acres surrounding the venue where the only American Formula 1 Grand Prix is held.
- Represented Hunt Development Group, as lead bidder, in connection with P3 procurement for a roughly 1.46-acre, 433,000 square foot facility expected to replace the ageing Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse in Austin, Texas.
- Represented the seller of four Chicago-area apartment communities in four separate transactions for an aggregate transaction value of $307m.
Jones Walker LLP
Jones Walker LLP has specialist expertise in hotel and hospitality, manufacturing, mixed-use, affordable housing and retail assets, including big-box and shopping malls. Henry O’Connor III leads the real estate practice and also co-chairs the firm's hospitality industry group. Based in the Mobile, Alabama office, O'Connor has experience acting for a variety of market participants including private investors, owners and developers in acquisitions and dispositions, financing transactions, commercial leasing matters and development and redevelopment projects. Of late, the team has been especially active in distressed properties transactions, and acting for oil and gas pipeline companies in the relocation of facilities and the release of surface rights.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Carpenter & Co.
Woodward Interests
Two Canal Owner
Bank of China
Lamar Life Master Tenant
Renaissance at Colony Park
Renaissance Phase II
Mississippi Baptist Health Systems
Mattiace Buford Development Company
Landbridge Development
Topgolf International
Kupperman Companies
Bank OZK
Aldi
VSS Southern Theatres
Work highlights
- Served as co-counsel to Carpenter and Company, a Boston based national developer of hotel and commercial properties, and Woodward Design + Build, a New Orleans based regional commercial construction firm, in connection with the $500m re-development of the 33-story iconic World Trade Center Building.
- Representation of The Domain Cos. in its ongoing development of South Market District. The Standard Condominium Development is a new 15 story high-rise consisting of approximately 24,000 square foot of retail and 89 upscale residential condominium units with a 25,000 square foot amenity and pool deck located in the South Market District in New Orleans.
- Lead counsel in phase II of the $42m development of a lifestyle center with development, leasing and financing for project.
- Local counsel for the acquisition of five sites to be developed as Aldi Grocery Stores.
- Served as real estate and commercial contracts counsel on the transaction of a New Orleans based movie theater for $126m.
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP
The ‘very responsive and knowledgeable’ team at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP is recognized by clients for its ‘attention to detail and initiative in liaising with counterparts’. The 'terrific' David Szeker operates from New York with his team holding noteworthy experience in handling the acquisition and disposition of single properties and portfolios, mortgage and mezzanine debt acquisitions, workouts and restructurings. Asset expertise includes office, shopping center, residential and mixed-use assets with further core strengths including real estate finance, leasing and joint venture developments. Mauel Fernandez and Alberto Delgado, both former practice co-heads, departed to join Alvarez & Diaz Silveira LLP.
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Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘David Szeker and his team provided excellent service and had a complete understanding of the issues surrounding our pending lease. He was patient with us and made the extra effort to meet with both us and our landlord to iron issues that arose during the negotiation. It truly was a pleasure working with him and his team at Kasowitz. I can’t say enough about how nice they are!’
‘David Szeker is our main contact and has been very helpful in getting the transactions that he handles for us to completion. He is on top of the issues and always keeps us up to date on the current status of the issues/transactions. The firm is big enough to be taken very seriously but small enough that we do not get lost.’
‘The Kasowitz real estate attorneys are excellent practitioners with dedication to their craft. Support is always timely and focused on achieving the desired result in the most efficient manner.’
‘We have worked most closely with David Szeker and he stands out for a number of reasons. To name a few, David is a smart, practical and solution-oriented attorney who understands how to thoughtfully and strategically navigate both legal and business issues. He has been a true partner to the business pursuits he has supported for our organization.’
‘I have worked with Kasowitz Benson Torres on multiple investment and real estate development projects. One of the strengths of the practice is the diversity of their staff and knowledge of both US and international laws and regulations.’
‘I have worked directly with two exceptional attorneys at the practice Mr. Darwin Huang and Mr. David Szeker. Both individuals exhibit exceptional qualities while providing service to our company. One is making themselves available at all times.’
‘A lean team of attorneys who provide solid strategic advice on complex real estate matters.’
‘They are responsive and willing to work hard to find creative solutions. Work product is high quality, they are always accessible and put client servicing first.’
Key clients
Rialto Mortgage Finance
BRP Development
Wicker Park Capital Management
Ponte Gadea
Quinlan Development Group
JDS Development
Starwood Property Trust
Turnbridge Equities
The Bainbridge Companies
The Klein Group
East End Capital
Land and Sea Development
Arbor Realty Trust
Cisneros Real Estate
Cottonwood Management
GPC Truss
Napas Acquisition
U.S. Realty Advisors
GFI Capital
Midtown Equities
AEW Capital
iStar
Delshah Capital
Cognizant
Work highlights
- Representing GFI Capital, a privately held Manhattan-based real estate developer specializing in residential high-rises, hotels and commercial real estate, in the joint acquisition, financing and renovation of Parker New York Hotel in Manhattan with Elliot Management for $425m.
- Representing Midtown Equities in securing approximately $280m in mortgage and mezzanine loans from AIG for the refinancing of Empire Stores located at 55 Water Street in Brooklyn, New York.
- Represented iStar in its $170m acquisition of the 350,000 square foot Newport Office Center 6 in downtown Jersey City, New Jersey, from the LeFrak Organization, and the subsequent ground lease and CMBS leasehold financing from Bank of America totalling $63.5m.
- Representing Arbor Realty Trust, a commercial and multi-family lender, in originating bridge mortgage loans on underperforming or value-add multifamily assets, for the purpose of renovating and repurposing the assets and positioning them for permanent take-out loans, typically into agency loans.
- Represented Cognizant in its headquarters lease at 55 Hudson Yards in Manhattan.
Loeb & Loeb LLP
Loeb & Loeb LLP has a particularly strong commercial leasing practice, acting for landlords and tenants in leasing deals at office buildings, leisure and hospitality properties, and retail facilities, among others. Another key area of focus is property finance, where the team represents institutional lenders and investors in the structuring and negotiation of financing and investment transactions. In addition to its transactional work, the firm is also active in property disputes, regularly handling litigation arising from landlord and tenant disputes, land use and zoning, real estate partnerships, title claims and environmental disputes, among others. Raymond Sanseverino, Steven Kornblau, Gil Feder and Nichole Cortese are names to note in New York, while West Coast contacts include Paul Rohrer in the firm's Los Angeles office.
Practice head(s):
Raymond Sanseverino; Steven Kornblau; Paul Rohrer; Gil Feder; Nichole Cortese
Testimonials
‘The team at Loeb & Loeb is very capable and responsive. They are our first choice for complex deals, those with sort time frames and sophisticated sponsors. ‘
‘Partner, Steve Kornblau is the most capable lender attorney i have ever worked with.’
Key clients
Thomson Reuters
Brookfield Properties
TD Securities
RFR Realty
The Carlyle Group
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
The Bank of New York Mellon
Global Holdings
Glacier Global Holdings
Normandy Real Estate Partners
SL Green Realty Corp.
TH Real Estate (an affiliate of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America)
Joseph P. Day Realty
Ivanhoe Cambridge
Regal Cinemas
Bowery Presents
Groupe Labruyère Eberlé
Edwards Theatres
Hollywood Theatres
PromoWest Productions
CSH Curran
National Cooperative Bank
Deutsche Bank
Aareal Capital Corporation/Aareal Bank
Fifth Third Bank
Ermenegildo Zegna Corporation
Beth Israel Medical Center (Mount Sinai Health System)
Accor Business and Leisure North America
Williamsburgh Garage
D.K. Property
GAP
Work highlights
- Represented TD Securities in its acquisition of new office space totaling 171,322 square feet at two SL Green-owned buildings in Manhattan consisting of 118,872 square feet at One Vanderbilt Avenue and 52,450 square feet at 125 Park Avenue, with further rights to expand at each location.
- Represented RFR Realty, as landlord, in connection with the lease of an entire building located at 875 Washington Street in New York, NY to a co-working entity, with a value of $100m.
- Represented Cineworld/Regal in connection with sale leaseback of 17 motion picture theatres in transaction have an estimated value of $286m.
- Represented Deutsche Bank as administrative agent and lead lender in connection with a $630m construction and tax exempt bond financing to an ownership group led by The Related Companies for the development of the $1bn Grand Avenue mixed-use complex.
- Representing global fashion retailer Ermenegildo Zegna Corporation, the tenant-plaintiff in a commercial landlord-tenant dispute arising from a $28m lease entered into for the basement and floors 1, 2, and 3 of a store located on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.
Milbank
Milbank has a strong presence in the East Coast, and particularly New York, real estate market, where it is praised for its ability to ‘handle virtually any issue in-house’. In terms of sector strengths, the practice group stands out in areas of gaming and hospitality, but has also handled nationwide sales and acquisitions of retail properties, as well as other types of commercial real estate. Under the leadership of the ‘excellent’ Kevin O’Shea, the team is especially active in the real estate finance space, routinely advising on mortgage and mezzanine loans, preferred equity originations, inter-creditor arrangements and performing and non-performing loan transactions. The team is also rated for its experience of UCC foreclosures and distressed debt work.
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Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Milbank employs a team approach to documenting our loans. Someone from the team is always reachable and Milbank always meets timelines. We recently had an issue of misunderstanding with a customer over the interpretation of some documents and Milbank spent considerable time getting the client to understand our view.’
‘Our primary contact is Jonathan Karl, who takes the lead on our documentation. Jonathan is very hands on and works well with our internal staff as well as our client and their counsel. He and his team are good at bridging differences and driving to a solution/conclusion. We have had instances that required speed and Milbank delivered – including one where we went from term sheet development to closing in one month to accommodate a client’s property purchase timeline. The breadth of Milbank’s practice also helps as we sometimes need their expertise on individual state statutes, environmental issues, etc.’
‘They can handle virtually any issue in house. A word about partners: partner engagement is excellent at Milbank. There is never a time that I cannot get a hold of a partner on short notice or that they are unavailable for consultation. It is almost as if they were my own in house counsel. Kevin O’Shea and Yaakov Sheinfeld are excellent.’
Key clients
Annaly Commercial Real Estate Group
Apollo Global Management
Artemis Real Estate Partners
Cerberus
Eldorado Resorts
Fortress Investment Group
Garrison Investment Group
HPS Investment Partners
JPMorgan Chase Bank
Mapletree Investments
MGM Resorts International
ONYX Equities
Otéra Capital
Pacific Investment Management Company (a/k/a PIMCO)
Pontiac Land Group
Prospect Ridge Advisors (a/k/a AllianceBernstein Real Estate)
DWS (f/k/a RREEF and Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management)
Sahara Group
SL Green Realty Corp.
State General Reserve Fund of the Sultanate of Oman
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Taconic Capital Partners
TPG Real Estate
Triangle Real Estate
Work highlights
- Represented HPS Investment Partners in providing Sears with a refinancing, secured by a portfolio of 168 properties across the United States and Guam.
- Represented the New York and Tokyo Branches of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation as lender in connection with a Yen-denominated syndicated term loan to a Japan-based affiliate of global-logistics REIT Prologis.
- Represented Garrison Investment Group in connection with a multi-phased transaction to acquire and finance most of Gateway Center in Newark, Jersey.
- Represented PIMCO’s Commercial Real Estate Debt Fund (“PCRED”) in the acquisition from ING, Citi and Barclays of a 40% interest in the mortgage loan that financed Brookfield Asset Management’s de-facto acquisition of the iconic 666 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan from Kushner Companies.
- Represented PIMCO in connection with the purchase of five different mortgage loans secured by properties in California, Pennsylvania and New York.
Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP has a dedicated residential real estate department that represents owners, builders and lenders in the acquisition and disposition of single-family residential properties. In addition, the team has a separate practice exists for real estate development and finance matters, which supports clients at every stage from acquisition and financing through to construction, leasing and disposition. The firm is also home to a hospitality practice which has recently acted for a range of lenders in the acquisition, construction and financing of hotel developments across the US. Practice head Duncan Miller is also recommended for his work advising private equity funds, operators and lenders on distressed debt transactions.
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Other key lawyers:
Work highlights
- Represented Stockbridge Capital Group in an acquisition of high-end multi-family development.
- Represented Yotel in the management and conversion work for the Liaison Capitol Hill location in DC.
- Portfolio acquisition by Cortland Partners consisting of fifteen multi-family properties for approximately $693m.
- Represented Audubon Communities in a $47m acquisition and financing of a Greenville, South Carolina apartment complex.
- Represented MDH Partners in the sale of industrial buildings in eight different states.
Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP specializes in representing private investors in real estate sales and acquisitions across a range of asset classes, including multi-family residential, office, large-scale retail and media facilities. Headed by Douglas Lubelchek, the team handles portfolio transactions as well as financing and development matters in its home market of Chicago, but it has also been involved in a number of large sale sand investment deals involving assets in areas including New York, Massachusetts and Colorado.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Equity Residential
M & J Wilkow
Work highlights
- Represented Equity Residential in connection with the $416m sale of a 402 unit high-rise multi-family apartment building with multi-tenant retail component in New York City.
- Represented Equity Residential in the $150m sale of a ground lease interest in multiple buildings in the Marina del Rey area of Los Angeles.
- Represented Equity Residential in connection with the $105m purchase of a mixed-use development (multi-family and retail) in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles.
- Represented Equity Residential in connection with the $104m purchase of a 366 unit multiple building multi-family apartment complex in Rockville, Maryland.
- Represented Equity Residential in connection with the $187m sale of a six property portfolio of multifamily apartment complexes in Berkeley, California.
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP acts for real estate developers, sponsors and promoters, private lenders and investors, and financial institutions in development, investment and financing transactions, both regionally and nationwide. The team has experience across a range of asset classes, from the more traditional, such as office, retail and manufacturing, to the more unique, like energy and utilities infrastructure, and timber and forest real estate. Key figures in the team include Atlanta-based Andrew Litvak, Laurence Papel in Nashville, and Cathy Rudisill in the Raleigh office.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Starwood Capital Group
Rock River Enterprises
PointeOne Holdings
ESJ Capital Partners
The Bainbridge Companies
Cadence Bank
C.B. Ragland Company
Silicon Ranch Corporation
Bridge Investment Group
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
Work highlights
- Represented Starwood Capital Group in the $387.2m acquisition of an affordable housing multi-family portfolio consisting of 21 communities and made up of 4,448 apartment units.
- Represented Starwood Capital Group in the acquisition of an office portfolio in Jacksonville, FL consisting of 11 Class A office buildings with approximately 1.27 million square feet.
- Counsel to 12th Avenue Realty Holdings, which is the owner and developer of the W Hotel in Nashville – the city’s first W-branded property, which is slated to open in 2020.
- Represented Bridge Investment Group as buyer’s counsel in the acquisition of a 510,200-square foot portfolio of three Class A office buildings in downtown Station Square in Silver Spring, Maryland.
- Representing C.B. Ragland Company, which is part of a joint venture with Hyatt Hotels to develop a 252-room Hyatt Centric hotel in downtown Nashville.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright is known for its involvement in large-scale joint development projects across the US; however clients have noted the team's 'broad knowledge base', spanning acquisitions, financing and leasing across asset classes including shopping centers, medical office buildings and hospital facilities, and energy and industrial properties. Headed by San Antonio-based John Jennings, the team acts for development companies, institutional and private equity investors, bank lenders, institutional landlords and corporate tenants.
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Testimonials
‘For a really large firm, the attorneys are very personable and take an interest in your company and the work. They are particularly great when it is crunch time and you need a lot of resources brought to the table. They also have a broad knowledge base.’
‘Katy Van Dyke and Emily Jueng are very capable Associates who are fun to work with. Josh Bernstein is very knowledgeable and can find multiple ways to solve a problem.’
Key clients
BDT Capital Partners
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America
JPI
Charles Schwab
Capital Senior Living Corporation
Daiwa House
Knighthead Funding
Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group
Wyndham Vacation Ownership
Caydon USA Services
Work highlights
- Represented Daiwa House in a joint venture real estate development, relating to the initial development and construction of The Atelier.
- Represented Capital Senior Living Corporation as borrower in the $201m, 19 property refinancing from Fannie Mae.
- Represented Forestar Real Estate Group, a residential lot development company as the purchaser/developer in the acquisition and development of two parcels of property – 185 acres and 200 acres – one of which closed January 31, 2019 and the other of which will close January 2021.
- Representing Forestar Real Estate Group, a residential lot development company as the purchaser/developer in the acquisition and development of approximately 132 acres located in Austin, Texas known as the WildHorse Ranch Subdivision.
- Represented Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America in connection with economic incentives, leasing, finance, and construction matters relating to North American manufacturing operations, including vehicle manufacturing plants located in Huntsville, AL and San Antonio, TX.
Reed Smith LLP
The ‘responsive’ and ‘accessible’ team at Reed Smith LLP acts for a divers client roster, including retailers, strategic investors and development companies, banks, universities and health systems. The practice group is led by the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Joseph Sarcinella in New York, and is also active throughout California, Chicago and Washington DC, handling real estate finance, foreign investment, acquisitions and sales, leasing and development projects. Stephane Nguyen and James Eskilson are contacts in the firm's Century City office, and James Morgan focuses on healthcare real estate and student housing matters in Philadelphia office.
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Testimonials
‘The team is responsive and interaction does not end when the transaction closes. They are very good at following up and readily accessible for structuring inquiries without starting the clock.’
‘To date we have primarily worked with Joseph Sarcinella and Rafael Santos-Hernandez. I find them both extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. Both Joe and Rafael are well versed in loan structuring and the evaluation of risk.’
Sidley Austin LLP
Sidley Austin LLP handles real estate matters across the US and is also active internationally. The team has strengths in real estate developments, finance matters, bankruptcies and workouts, leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, and real estate disputes. Alan Weil and Richard Fries are contacts in New York.
Sullivan
Sullivan & Worcester LLP acts for private and institutional investors in joint venture investment and development, and commercial leasing, bringing together expertise in corporate real estate matters with complementary skill sets in land use, zoning and environmental law. Jointly headed by John Balboni and Ashley Brooks in Boston, the real estate group also recently launched a dedicated opportunity zone service group, composed of lawyers from the firm's real estate and affordable housing, tax and corporate departments.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Work highlights
- Acted as lead counsel for Manulife Financial in over $1bn of joint ventures with offshore investors to acquire commercial office properties and real estate mortgages in the US.
- Represented Equity Resource Investments in a series of real estate private equity joint venture transactions with an aggregate value of over $100m and $500m in property value.
- Represented the Cronin Group in its development of a 22-story mixed-use tower in Boston’s Seaport District.
- Represented Choice Housing Investments in a real estate strategic joint venture for a portfolio of multi-family assets in Texas with an aggregate value of over $100m in property value.
- Represented Madison Properties in a series of real estate opportunity zone investments with an aggregate value of over $250m in property value.
Thompson & Knight LLP
Rated for its ‘diversity and depth’ of expertise, the team at Thompson & Knight LLP handles a full range of real estate matters across all core commercial asset types, as well as resorts, casinos and shopping centers. Headed by Gregg Davis in the Dallas office, the team is noted in particular for its work in real estate finance, covering bank and private lending, and capital markets work. In the finance space, the team acts for regional and national banks and private lenders, advising on a huge variety of lending transactions, including syndicated, primary and mezzanine lending.
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Testimonials
‘The team works well in that they each know their areas of expertise and understand when it makes sense to delegate. If there is a topic that less understood by an individual attorney, they will engage a partner or other associate with that particular skillset. In one’s absence, the team jumps in to make a seamless transition for the client. Total team effort.’
‘The individuals we work with at TK I would consider friends. They are literally available anytime but never make it feel as if I am bothering them with requests. Always professional. Great bedside manner on calls with my developer clients. Happy to jump in when I am not available for a call. No complaints but always willing to listen to mine!’
‘The diversity, capabilities and depth of the team is instrumental to their success.’
‘They are dedicated. They respond to me pretty much 24/7 and they always have my best interests in mind.’
‘They work well with my clients to achieve a successful closing, they focus on the primary risks and don’t make the process gruelling for the client, they are very knowledgeable of the business issues and how to resolve them, they have excellent staff, and I know I can trust them.’
‘They truly care about the making the experience with both my firm and my clients a win-win closing, they work well with other law firm representation, and have the staffing to meet critical timing deadlines.’
‘What I like about the team is they are a cohesive group. I have had experience with the group as both a lender and with borrower counsel and they are consistent across partners. They know the law and they can provide valuable insight as to where the market is heading regarding certain structures and covenants that arise. I find their input valuable.’
‘For me, the biggest value of the individuals that I have worked with (Ben Herd, Dan Hopper, David Lawrence) is that they are honest with me regarding my expectations and keep a focus on the overall deal when I may be focused in on a nuance or a particular issue. Again, they are real pros with real estate law and have given me solid insight when I call with an issue. With state specific law (Texas), again I find their resources to be invaluable.’
Key clients
Wells Fargo Bank
BBVA Compass Bank
Texas Capital Bank
Dunhill Partners
Amegy Bank
North American Properties
Regions Bank
Work highlights
- Represented HPI Real Estate in connection with a $154m loan from Pacific Life for the refinancing of The Summit at Lantana in Austin, Texas.
- Represented a subsidiary of North American Properties in connection with the multi-tranche acquisition of an iconic Newport, Kentucky shopping center overlooking Cincinnati across the Ohio River.
Troutman Pepper
Troutman Pepper handles leasing deals in relation to office and industrial properties, in addition to retail leases, including those at shopping centers. Ground leases and sale-leaseback transactions are a further strength, as are acquisitions and dispositions of office, hotel and resort, mixed-use and multi-family properties. Headed by Anthony Greene in Atlanta, the team also has core expertise in development agreements, portfolio management and operation and build-to-suit transactions.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
Key clients
Cousins Properties
Crescent Communities
PacifiCorp
Walnut Hill Capital
Spectrum Properties
Korea Post
Interwest Capital
Domestic Value-Add Fund
German Pension Fund
Trinity Capital Partners
Parkway Properties
Copper River Country Club/The Tatham Family
Work highlights
- Represented Cousins Properties in connection with the lease of 561,000 square-feet property in Hearst Tower in Charlotte, NC to BB&T for the new corporate headquarters of the merged BB&T and SunTrust.
- Represented Crescent Communities in the acquisition of a 535,000 square foot office tower in Charlotte, NC.
- Represented PacifiCorp in connection with the Mud Springs Real Estate project, which involved the acquisition and development of a wind farm.
- Represented Walnut Hill Capital in two separate matters: the first involved the syndicated loan investment and possible acquisition of a portion of the Boston Seaport project; in the second matter, the team negotiated a syndicated loan for the Los Angeles Stadium Project.
- Represented a joint venture of The Spectrum Companies and Invesco in the negotiation of a 175,000 square-foot headquarters lease for space in one of two towers that Spectrum is building in Charlotte, NC.
White & Case LLP
White & Case LLP is experienced in a full range of commercial real estate transactions, from acquisitions, dispositions and leasing through to complex financings, workouts, and joint venture development projects. Chaired by Eugene Leone and Steven Vainder, the team operates across all asset classes, acting for developers, owners, private and institutional investors, and lenders and and underwriting banks. Vainder is based New York, while Leone splits his time between New York and the firm’s recently opened Chicago office.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Michael McKeever; David Pezza; Aaron Potter; Ruth Schoenmeyer
Key clients
Oaktree Capital Management
Zeller Realty Group
Work highlights
- Advising Oaktree Capital Management on the $350m financing and sale of the Chicago Board of Trade Building at 141 West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago.
- Advised Zeller Realty Group on the $92m refinancing of Woodfield Corporate Center in Schaumburg, Illinois.
WilmerHale
WilmerHale’s real estate department has a focus on large-scale developments and joint investment deals, acting for strategic investors, developers and operators. In addition to strengths in the retail and senior living sectors, the groups is also noted for its experience of representing life sciences companies in issues relating to lab space. Moreover, the team also has an active commercial leasing practice, acting both for tenants and institutional landlords. Headed by Paul Jakubowski in Boston, the team also represents a large number of national real estate investors and private real estate funds in large portfolio transactions. Former practice co-head Sean Boulger left the firm.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
AEW Capital Management
Atlantic Management Corporation
Campanelli
Carpenter & Company
Work highlights
- Acting as general outside counsel for Carpenter & Company in connection with the completion of One Dalton, Boston, the tallest building developed in Boston since the 1970s and Boston’s tallest residential project ever.
- Acting for Carpenter & Company as lead counsel for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center in New Orleans (a designated historic structure that has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina) into a luxury hotel and condominium project, which will contain a Four Seasons Hotel and luxury condominiums.
- Acting for AEW Capital Management in the development of several senior housing communities in various states through a joint venture with a nationally-recognized developer and operator.
- Advising Campanelli Companies on many transactions in the last 12 months, including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, joint ventures, major leases and permitting and development efforts.
- Representing Atlantic Management Corporation in the acquisition, financing and leasing of corporate campuses and other large assets in Massachusetts.
Winston & Strawn LLP
Winston & Strawn LLP is ‘highly competent in numerous areas of real estate’, including high-end developments, distressed asset deals, mezzanine financing, and real estate-related litigation, among other areas. Dallas-based Billie Ellis jointly heads the department with Corey Tessler, who is based in the firm's New York office. Edward Prokop recently joined the Los Angeles office from Sidley Austin LLP, where he has developed a reputation for portfolio sale-leaseback transactions and single-family residential loan portfolio platforms. Chicago-based Andrew White is another new arrival; he joined from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, strengthening the team's service offering for private equity capital raising, finance and investment matters.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Douglas Yeager; Jeff Smith; William Lange; Edward Prokop; Andrew White
Testimonials
‘Highly competent in numerous areas of real estate law, tax law relating to real estate and partnerships. Multiple team members assigned to client so availability never an issue. Response time to questions and messages excellent (even if out of the country).’
‘Billie Ellis, Masae Ellis, Andre Betaque. Doug Yeager, Danielle Marr. Each of these people exhibit excellent technical skills, very responsive to client needs, extremely strong work ethic and work well with attorneys from other firms.’
Key clients
Freehold Capital Acquisitions
Long Cove Development
Stonelake Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Representing Freehold Capital in connection with the development of multi-family tracts in a number of states across the country including Texas, California, Florida, and Tennessee.
- Representing Long Cove Development, Inc. in the development of a high-end, lakefront residential community and marina on Cedar Creek Lake, approximately an hour from Dallas.
- Representing Stonelake Capital Partners in connection with the acquisition, leasing and financing of its industrial portfolio.
- Representing Stonelake Capital Partners in the third phase of its latest development, Park Place Tower, which is a new 14 story Class A office building in the Houston Galleria area.
- Represented Stonelake Capital Partners in connection with the sale of Domain Tower, an 11 story, 310,000 square foot office building – occupied by Indeed, the search engine for job seekers – to iStar.