The Legal 500 > United States > United States > Real estate

‘Very commercial in its approach, with a unique understanding of the real estate business’, DLA Piper LLP (US) handles the full range of real estate matters, including permitting, development, capital markets and joint venture transactions. Other areas of expertise include mixed-use development projects, cross-border transactions, acquisitions and sales, financing on the lender and borrower side, sports development projects, leasing, construction and design, and corporate matters. Clients include private and public companies, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, developers, lenders and government entities. Boston-based US real estate chair John Sullivan, who is ‘smart and commercial, and a great person to deal with’, recently advised Cottonwood Management on its $900m development of Echelon Seaport. Atlanta-based Maxine Hicks acted for Texas Rangers Baseball Express on advising, drafting and negotiating the documents for a $1bn mixed-use project, which includes the team’s new ballpark in Arlington, Texas. The firm continues to act as national real estate counsel for Blackstone on the acquisition, sale and financing of hotels across the country. Another key highlight included advising the Walt Disney Company on the real estate aspects of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Other clients include Uber, Prudential Real Estate Investors, InterContinental Hotels Group, Greystar Capital Partners and AIG Global Real Estate. Also recommended are Washington DC-based Jay Epstein, who co-chairs the global real estate practice, and Boston-based Cara Nelson. Chris Smith joined from Shearman & Sterling LLP; Antonio Calabrese joined from Cooley LLP, Scott Kapp joined from Dentons; and Bruce Saber joined from Arnold & Porter; they are based in New York, North Virginia, Chicago and New York respectively. Frederick Klein in Washington DC and Michael Hamilton in Los Angeles are also recommended.

‘Best in class’ Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is adept at handling acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, joint ventures, REIT matters, litigation, and land use and development issues, as well as mortgage, mezzanine and construction financing for borrowers and lenders. A recent highlight saw Robert Sorin advise Google on its $2.4bn acquisition of the Chelsea Market building in New York City. Practice chair Jonathan Mechanic, who is ‘a great intermediary when negotiating complex transactions’, advised JP Morgan on its headquarters redevelopment at 270 Park Avenue in New York, while Tal Golomb and Sorin advised Related Companies and Vornado Realty Trust on the $1.6bn redevelopment of the James A Farley post office building as part of the redevelopment of New York's Penn Station. Joshua Mermelstein led in representing Trinity Church Wall Street on Disney's $650m purchase of a 99-year lease at 4 Hudson Square, where the company will build its new New York headquarters. The firm continues to represent Related Companies and Oxford Properties on the $20bn development project at Hudson Yards, and this year it secured the sale of leases to Third Point, Arosa Capital Management and HealthCor Management, Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners and Mount Sinai. Of counsel Stephen Lefkowitz and Washington DC-based Valerie Kelly are also recommended, as is associate Alex Sutherland and Nathaniel Lifschitz, who was promoted to partner in March 2018. Other clients include Maefield Development, Brookfield, The Children’s Investment Fund Management and Blackstone. All named attorneys are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP handles all aspects of real estate work, including acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, development, management, leasing, financing, restructuring and land use.Chicago-based Corey Light advised on the sale and leaseback of around 100 stores across the US with an aggregate value of $1bn. Light, Nancy Lash and Miami-based Gary Saul advised Kimco Realty on its $400m development of Dania Pointe in Florida. Orlando-based Michael Sullivan advised Loews Hotels Holding on a joint venture with NBC Universal for the development of two hotels in Orlando and a construction loan facility from Wells Fargo Bank. Miami-based Richard Giusto acted for Invesco on the $268m acquisition of a six-building complex in Washington state that was leased to Microsoft. From the firm's New York office, Stephen Rabinowitz advises private equity funds, financial institutions, developers and other investors on transactional matters relating to all classes of commercial properties. Robert Ivanhoe, who is also based in New York, specializes in real estate structures, financing, workouts, restructurings, and acquisitions and dispositions. Los Angeles-based Gregory Fishman, New York-based Kristen Lonergan and Farah Ahmed are also recommended.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP , which combines ‘intellectual capacity, commercialism, professionalism and technical legal expertise', handles a broad range of legal issues, including M&A, joint ventures, debt restructurings, private equity fund formations, financing and REIT matters. The firm's client roster includes sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, pensions organizations and other institutional investors. Christopher Hartmann advised Starwood Capital Group on its $835m sale of 16 multifamily assets and interests in REIT entities to CapitaLand International. Jonathan Schechter acted for GAW Capital Partners on a $225m loan as part of a $650m syndicated leasehold financing for the acquisition and redevelopment of a multi-use hotel property in New York. Scott Berger specializes in the private equity aspects of domestic and international real estate and real estate-related transactions. Another recent highlight included representing Marriott Vacations Worldwide on its $4.6bn acquisition of ILG. Chicago-based Joshua Hanna acted for First State Super on its investment in a $1bn joint venture with Lendlease to develop and operate multifamily residential rental properties in various US cities. Rachel Brown, who is also based in Chicago, advised Värde Partners on the $605m sale of its interest in the Utah ski mountains. Chicago-based Andrew Small is also recommended. Justin Elliott joined as partner from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and John Goldman joined as partner from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Other clients include Atrium Hotels, Oak Street Real Estate Capital, Gramercy Property Trust and The Blackstone Group. All named attorneys are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Paul Hastings LLP handles acquisitions and dispositions, finance and joint venture transactions, land use and zoning, energy litigation work and data center-related matters, advising clients including borrowers and lenders, developers, investors, purchasers, sellers, landlords and tenants. Chicago-based Gregory Spitzer continues to represent IBM and its subsidiary SoftLayer Technologies on leasing and developing data center facilities in multiple locations around the world. Los Angeles-based Philip Feder and Jeff Haber advised the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association on the $500m acquisition and development of a new headquarters building for its Youth Orchestra Los Angeles program. David Hamsher, who is based in San-Francisco, advised Five Point Holdings on the $8bn development of Candlestick Point and Phase 2 of the Hunters Point Shipyard in San Francisco. New York-based Rick Allendorf acted for Barclays Capital on its $550m loan for the financing of Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware. San Francisco-based Stephen Berkman, who is an ‘exceptional strategist, negotiator and lawyer and knows how to get deals done’, counts Facebook, Linkedin and Salesforce.com amongst his clients. Eric Landau, who also works from the New York office, was the key partner advising Millennium Partners on its development of a vacant site in Downtown Boston into a luxury mixed-use project which included the provision of $450m of preferred equity financing. Also recommended are New York-based Bruce DePaola, John Cahill, Peter Olsen and Chicago-based Brad Ritter.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, which has ‘unparalleled experience in working on complex transactions’, advises public and private real estate companies on M&A, sales, development, leasing, structured financing, joint ventures and partnerships. Gregory Ressa heads the team, which is ‘always available, incredibly thoughtful and diligent with a focus on representing the client well and also being incredibly commercial’. Ressa recently advised the special committee of the board of GGP on the mall owner's $27.7bn sale to Brookfield Property Partners. Sasan Mehrara represented Blackstone Real Estate Partners VIII on its acquisition of Gramercy Property Trust for $7.6bn. Krista Miniutti advised BioMed Realty and affiliates on the $3.7bn refinancing of various portfolios of office and research facilities, while Scott Kobak acted for KKR on its $401.9m acquisition of 22 senior housing facilities from Cascade Living Group. Newly promoted partner Davis Coen advised Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust on its $1.8bn acquisition of an industrial portfolio from Cabot Industrial Properties. Another highlight included representing Northwood Investors on its acquisition of two office buildings in New York and San Francisco for a combined total of $595m. Other clients include The Carlyle Group, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Centerbridge, Invitation Homes and KSL Capital Partners. Whitney Salinas was promoted to partner. All named partners are based in New York.

The ‘very responsive and organized’ Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advises lenders, borrowers and issuers on wide range of matters including multi-state mortgage and mezzanine loan transactions, intercreditor agreements, asset-based warehouse lending, credit tenant lease financing, acquisitions and dispositions and joint ventures. Typical developments the firm advises on include office and industrial buildings, hotels, shopping centers, multifamily residences and casinos. Steven Wilner and Kimberly Brown Blacklow advised a syndicate of banks, comprising Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, BMO Capital Markets, Citigroup Global Markets, Deutsche Bank, RBC Capital Markets and The Toronto-Dominion Bank as arrangers for Brookfield Asset Management’s $11.4bn acquisition of Forest City Realty Trust. Newly promoted partner Joseph Lanzkron recently advised ESL Investments, the hedge fund of Sears CEO Edward Lampert, on the sale of $1.5bn of Sears real estate. Steven Horowitz acted for Kindred Healthcare on its $4.1bn acquisition by TPG Capital, Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe and Humana. Daniel Reynolds acted for Mapletree Investments on its acquisition of a $2.4bn portfolio of 164 US industrial assets from Exeter Property Group. In another recent highlight, the firm advised AllianceBernstein on a $40.8m mortgage loan to an affiliate of AJ Capital Partners for the purchase of the Annapolis Loews Hotel. All named attorneys are based in New York.

Dechert LLP's practice covers commercial real estate finance, as well as the acquisition and sale of commercial real estate debt products. , while the firm also advises on loan origination, acquisitions and dispositions, securitizations, restructuring, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and bankruptcy matters. The firm's client base includes issuers, underwriters, loan sellers, servicers, operating advisors and investors. New York-based Laura Swihart and Devin Swaney continue to act for key client Freddie Mac, and this year advised on around 50 deals with an aggregate value of $50bn. Swaney also advised First Foundation Bank as a mortgage loan seller in the securitization of loans secured by multifamily properties. Philadelphia-based Richard Jones and Charlotte-based Stewart McQueen advised The Bancorp on a $304m CMBS deal sponsored by The Bancorp Bank, a Delaware state chartered commercial bank. Another highlight included advising Blackstone Mortgage Trust on a $1bn collateralized loan obligation, while the firm also also acted for Citibank and Goldman Sachs on the $1.9bn refinancing of loans secured by luxury Bahamas resort Atlantis Paradise Island. Philadelphia-based Jason S Rozes, David Forti and New York-based Krystyna Blakeslee are also recommended. Newly promoted partners include Boston-based Christopher Desmond, Samuel Gilbert; Philadelphia-based Gennady Gorel, Kenneth Hackman and New York-based Matthew Fischer. Matthew Hays joined as partner in the Chicago office from Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Kahlil T Yearwood left the firm for Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Other clients include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, BlackRock, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs.

Goodwin handles acquisitions and dispositions, development, design, construction and leasing matters, with a particular focus on the leisure and hospitality industry. Other areas of expertise include joint ventures, alternative capitalization strategies, and fund structuring and formation for sponsors and managers. Andrew Sucoff recently advised Brookfield Financial Properties on its $15.3bn acquisition of the remaining 66% of GGP not already owned by Brookfield and its affiliates. Another highlight included acting for Boston Properties on a joint venture with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board which included the acquisition of a leasehold of an office campus in Santa Monica with an aggregate value of $661m. Team head Minta Kay advised GreenOak Real Estate Advisors on the formation of a joint venture with a subsidiary of The Glick Family Office to to acquire 1200 New Hampshire in Washington DC; this involved mortgage and mezzanine financing of $150m. A further recent highlight included the representation of Cabot Industrial Value Fund IV, a closed private equity fund, on the sale of a $1.8bn industrial portfolio to Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust. Samuel Richardson specializes in financing, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and also deals with restructuring debt and equity investments. Gilbert Menna is also recommended. Diana Brummer joined as partner in New York from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP. All named attorneys are based in Boston unless otherwise stated.

Katten has particular experience in advising providers of real estate capital, such as lenders, borrowers and investors, on financing transactions including mortgage and mezzanine loan transactions, construction, acquisition and pickup refinancing. Other areas of expertise include affordable housing transactions, CMBS and cross-border transactions. Washington DC-based affordable housing expert Kenneth Lore represented a Washington DC-area developer on the creation of a $260m immigration and customs enforcement headquarters in Prince George’s County, Maryland. New York-based Martin Siroka, who is ‘calm, thoughtful and knowledgeable’ advised Starrett City Associates on its $905m sale of Spring Creek Towers to Brooksville Company and Rockpoint Group. New York real estate co-head Andrew Jagoda acted as lead counsel to AIG on around 30 transactions in the past year, while Timothy Little, David Dlugie, Daniel Huffenus and Bruce Kosub are also key practitioners in New York, Chicago, Charlotte and Dallas respectively. The firm continues to represent Callahan Capital Properties, Sacramento Kings, The Blackstone Group, Bank of America, The Barack Obama Foundation and The Carlyle Group.

Latham & Watkins LLP provides ‘unparalleled organization, attention to detail and thoroughness’. It is adept at handling M&A, corporate and traditional real estate company transactions, borrower and lender-side finance, private equity and advice on public REITs. Areas of expertise include acquisitions and dispositions, land use, development projects and ground leases, joint ventures, loan enforcement actions and restructurings and workouts. Client sectors include hospitality, healthcare, life sciences, multi-family housing and condominium developments, industrial, office, retail and mixed-use projects. Chicago-based Gary Axelrod recently advised Loews Hotels on a $300m joint venture PPP with Kansas City and several other government entities. Another highlight included representing Walton Street Capital in relation to its acquisition of a class A office building in Chicago as well as a new flagship Apple store for $370m. Robert Buday and Rachel Bates, who are also based in Chicago, co-led in representing Hyatt Hotels on the sale of the Andaz Maui, the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, and the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa to Host Hotels & Resorts for $1bn. A further highlight included acting for Phillips Edison Grocery Store REIT I on its $2bn merger with Phillips Edison Grocery Store REIT II, a public non-traded REIT; this created a national portfolio of 323 shopping centers with a value of roughly $6.3bn. New York-based Michelle Kelban advised Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank as the lender in $300m worth of construction loans for multifamily condominiums in Houston, Orlando and New York City. Michael Haas joined as co-chair of the real estate practice in New York from Jones Day. San-Diego-based James Mann was promoted to partner in January 2018. Los Angeles-based associate Pablo Clarke is also recommended. James Hisiger retired. Other clients include Stepstone Real Estate Partners, Starwood Capital Group, Lineage Logistics and ACORE Capital.

The ‘very knowledgeable, responsive and professional’ Morrison & Foerster LLP handles a broad range of real estate matters including commercial real estate equity and debt transactions, joint ventures, and the purchase and sale of all real estate asset types. The firm's client base includes banks, investment banks, mortgage REITs and debt funds. Global practice chair Mark Edelstein recently advised Wells Fargo on a $1.5bn construction loan for an office and retail tower located at 50 Hudson Yards in New York. Keith Print and Edelstein both advised Wells Fargo and a major multinational bank on a $640m construction loan to finance the construction of three large multi-family, mixed-use buildings in New York. Los-Angeles based Thomas Fileti recently acted for GLP on portfolio financing for more than 75 properties with an aggregate value of over $1bn. Christopher Delson and Edelstein worked together to advise Goldman Sachs, Hines Interests and Pontiac Land on the $860m construction financing for the MoMA Tower in New York. Philip Levine, in the Palo Alto office, represented Bayview on a $289m construction loan for the development of two luxury apartment towers in San Jose, California. The ‘excellent’ Lawrence Ceriello, who is ‘great to work with’, specializes in debt financing, securitizations and large commercial real estate loans for the CMBS market. Thomas McGovern focuses on real estate finance and restructuring. John Davie joined as of counsel from Forest City Ratner Companies. All named attorneys are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

The ‘smart, fast and connected’ Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP represents developers, institutional fund managers, public real estate companies, private real estate fund sponsors, overseas investors and government entities on the full gamut of transactional real estate matters. Harris Freidus recently acted for CIM Group on various acquisitions and debt and equity financing for large developments with an aggregate value of $5bn. Mitchell Berg advised Lendlease Group on its joint venture with SoftBank Group to fund the acquisition and restructuring of around 8,000 existing telecoms sites across the US. Meredith Kane advised Northwell Health on a number of healthcare acquisitions and developments with a total value of $1bn. Another highlight included acting for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in conjunction with SL Green and Hines Corporation on the $3bn development of an office tower at Vanderbilt Avenue and 42nd Street in New York City. Salvatore Gogliormella acted for Murray Hill Properties on a $3bn joint venture with an affiliate of Banyan Street Capital. Peter Fisch and Gogliormella represented HNA Group on $1.8bn of financing for the acquisition of 245 Park Avenue in New York City. Steven Simkin retired. All named attorneys are based in New York.

Proskauer Rose LLP handles a range of real estate-related matters covering bankruptcy, tax, transactions, finance, leasing, litigation, labor and employment and environmental issues. Its client base includes sovereign wealth funds, institutional and specialty lenders, developers, private equity real estate funds, investment banks, pension funds and REITs. Practice co-head Ronald Sernau advised Extell Development on the $1.3bn financing for the construction of Central Park Tower in New York City. Private equity specialist Jeffrey Horwitz and M&A specialist Daniel Ganitsky recently acted for Morgan Stanley as financial advisor to Starwood Waypoint on its $20bn merger with Invitation Homes. Newly promoted partner Paul Polking advised Vornado Realty Trust on its $442m acquisition of Host Hotels & Resorts’ interest in two commercial condominium units in the New York Marriott Marquis hotel. Steven Lichtenfeld was lead partner for Urban Commons on various matters including a $650m consolidation of 10 hotel properties. Horrowitz, Perry Cacace and Los Angeles-based Douglas Frank acted for Rubicon on the acquisition and redevelopment of hotel properties in New York, New Jersey and St. Croix. Christopher Pennington is also recommended. Al Stemp joined as partner from Hogan Lovells US LLP and Don Melamed joined as partner from O'Melveny & Myers LLP in the Los Angeles office. Other clients include Accor, Empire City Casino, Morgan Stanley and SL Green. All named attorneys are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Shearman & Sterling LLP's real estate practice handles acquisitions and dispositions, local and global joint ventures, ground leases and commercial leasing. The firm also specializes in real estate-related finance matters such as structured finance, corporate credit facilities, lending, and the financing of REITs. Malcolm Montgomery heads the team and recently acted for Citibank on Digital Realty Trust’s $3.26bn global revolving credit facility and term loans. Lisa Brill, who is ‘an exemplary professional, 100% committed to her clients and always available’, advised AllianceBernstein on a $33m acquisition and pre-development loan. Another highlight included representing MetLife on its $225m mortgage loan and $156m mezzanine loan to Waterside Plaza Ground Lessee and Waterside Mezz respectively. The firm also advised GTIS Partners on a joint venture with Continental Realty Advisors and the related acquisition finance for the purchase of an apartment complex in Phoenix, Arizona. Kris Ferranti focuses on the equity side of real estate transactions and represents foreign and domestic investors and developers. John Opar, associate Helen Quigley and Washington DC-based counsel Jocelyn Redman are also recommended. Counsel Michael Pettingill joined from Silvermine Capital Management. Chris Smith left for DLA Piper LLP (US). All named attorneys are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s team of ‘creative problem solvers’ advises on investment, acquisitions, divestment, debt offerings, development, financing, leasing and REIT maters. Other areas of expertise include loan workouts, restructurings, joint ventures, and capital markets offerings in the debt and equity space. Philip Rosen and David Herman recently advised Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) and Brookfield Property Partners (BPY) on the $14.4bn acquisition of around 66% of common stock of GGP. The firm also advised BAM on its $11.4bn acquisition of Forest City Realty Trust. Another highlight included representing The Kroger Company on its $2.2bn sale of a multi-state convenience store portfolio which included 762 stores to EG Group. Samuel Zylberberg acted for Atalaya Capital Management on a preferred equity investment and $250m construction loan for the development of a 40-story Ritz-Carlton hotel with residences in New York. Michael Bond, who provides ‘the best advice available in complicated and difficult situations’, advised Sears Holdings on the real estate aspects of its high-profile Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Other clients include AIG, Blackstone, Madison International, MGM Resorts International, Tishman Speyer and TPG Real Estate. All named attorneys are based in New York.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is particularly focused on the finance side of real estate transactions, including a wide range of loan types, while it also advises on development, investment and acquisitions relating to office buildings, malls, retail shopping centers, hotels, nursing homes, hospitals, multifamily buildings and condominiums. Bonnie Neuman advised JPMorgan on its $1bn mortgage loan for Wyndham Worldwide Corporation’s $1.95bn acquisition of La Quinta Holdings. Holly Chamberlain acted for Morgan Stanley on a $710m mortgage loan to refinance existing debt, secured by fee interest and leasehold interests in a 1.5m square foot portfolio of retail and office properties, for Millennium Partners. Newly promoted partner Matthew Robertson, who is ‘incredibly responsive and very user-friendly’, advised Bank of America on two cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted mortgage loans aggregating $447m, as well as a $180m mezzanine loan to the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort and the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. Another highlight included advising HSBC on a $285m mortgage loan secured by cross-state student housing and owned by a joint venture between Landmark Properties and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Finance group co-chair William McInerney is also recommended for his expertise in the sale of performing and non-performing commercial mortgage and mezzanine loans in the secondary market. Alan Lawrence joined as partner from Arnold & Porter. All listed attorneys are based in New York.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, which provides ‘creative solutions in complex negotiations’, handles acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, development projects, financing, restructurings and leasing transactions. Its client base includes private equity funds, financial institutions, REITs, pension funds, hedge funds, publicly traded corporations and other investors. 'Incredibly bright' corporate partner Nicole Levin Mesard, a 'tough negotiator', advised Westfield on its $24.7bn sale to Unibail-Rodamco. In another highlight for Westfield, the firm advised on the $175m sale of Horton Plaza, a 900,000 square foot retail center in San Diego. Real estate chair Peter Irwin advised CPPIB on a $1bn joint venture with Alberta Investment Management Corporation and WPT Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust for the development and operation of industrial real estate assets across the US. Counsel Serhat Krause and Mesard acted for a family office in relation to the $650m investment and development of two residential towers in New York. Edward Rishty advised JP Morgan Asset Management on the $510m acquisition and financing of Groupon’s national headquarters in Chicago in a joint venture with Sterling Bay. Other clients include Brasil Warrant Investments, Rockwood Capital, The Brickstone Companies and Oaktree Capital Management. All named attorneys are based in New York.

Hogan Lovells US LLP handles a wide range of real estate work, including cross-border transactions involving foreign investors across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Areas of expertise include the acquisition, development and restructuring of commercial real estate and REIT-related matters. New York-based Americas real estate head Mark Eagan recently advised Ivanhoé Cambridge on its $3.8bn joint acquisition, with Blackstone, of Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust. Lee Berner and REIT specialist Bruce Gilchrist in the firm's Washington DC office worked together on Greystar Real Estate Partners' $4.6bn acquisition of Education Realty Trust, a college housing REIT based in Memphis. Denver-based Lea Ann Fowler represented Prologis on the sale of a $1.1bn property portfolio - including 41 industrial properties across the US - to Mapletree Investments. Another highlight included advising the Bahrain-based Mumtalakat Holding Company on a $135m joint venture acquisition with Sentinel Partners and Saudi Aramco of the Lenova office campus in North Carolina. Other clients include Parkway, Onexim Sports and Entertainment, Industrial Property Trust and Equity Residential. Bruce Parmley and David Bonser in Washington DC are also recommended. Al Stemp and Lee Samuelson left for Proskauer Rose LLP and Holland & Knight LLP respectively.

In April 2018, Hunton & Williams and Andrews Kurth Kenyon merged to form Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. The combined real estate team of ‘practical and commercial lawyers’ advises on investments, redevelopment, private-public ventures and commercial leasing, while other areas of expertise include real estate M&A, REIT matters and securitizations. A recent highlight included acting for Pebblebrook Hotel Trust on its $5.2bn merger with LaSalle Hotel Properties, while the firm also advised Savanna on its $640m acquisition of the 5 Bryant Park building in New York City. New York-based Carl Schwartz and Matthew Scoville acted for Nahla Capital on the $260m sale of 30 rental apartment buildings in San Francisco, and Houston-based Michael Boyd advised on a joint venture led by USAA Real Estate Company and Patrinely Group on the $270m development of an office building in Colorado and the $188m refinancing of a New York apartment complex. Mark Arnold, who is also based in Houston, advised Clark County Stadium Authority on the $1.9bn development of a 65,000-seat stadium for the Las Vegas Raiders. Dallas-based Howard Schreiber, Jeff Giese and Kathleen Wu are also recommended. In the Los Angeles office, Jane Hinton focuses on highly structured debt and equity real estate transactions including mortgage, mezzanine and preferred equity financing. In the New York office, Peter Mignone specializes in commercial real estate finance and capital markets, including advising institutional lenders on the origination of commercial mortgage and mezzanine loans.

Jones Day 's real estate practice handles acquisitions, dispositions, borrower and lender financing, joint ventures, construction, real estate-related dispute resolution, REIT matters and tax advice. Clients include international developers, commercial investment banks, real estate funds, property companies, retailers, hotels and hospitality companies, financial institutions, investors and lenders. Recent highlights include advising Mill Creek Residential Trust on the recapitalization of the company and buyout of its existing investors. The firm also acted as counsel to Meyer Bergman in relation to the formation and closing of its €990m European retail real estate fund MBERP III. Atlanta-based Richard Rosenblatt advised Wells Fargo Bank, National Association on a $750m revolving credit facility to a publicly traded home builder and an amendment and restatement of a $225m revolving credit facility to a large mid-Atlantic home builder. Chicago-based Robert Lee and Brian Sedlak head the team. Dallas-based Michelle Brown and Andrew Van Noord, who made partner in January 2018, are also recommended. Former practice head Michael Haas left for Latham & Watkins LLP in April 2018.

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP advises on financing, leasing, joint ventures and the development of residential, office, hotel, retail and mixed-use projects across the US. In early 2019 the firm saw a large New York team including real estate transactions head Wallace Schwartz and fellow partners Julia Sanabria and  Adam Endick depart for Vinson & Elkins LLP. Recent highlights for the team included advising Joy Construction on the $250m leasing of a build-to-suit office building in New York City as well as an $86m construction loan for the building. In another matter, the team acted for Rockpoint Group on its $465m acquisition of an office building at 1700 Broadway in Manhattan. Miami-based Manuel Fernandez advised GreenOak Real Estate on the negotiation and preparation of its joint venture with East End Capital alongside the joint venture’s $38m purchase of 555 Washington Avenue in Miami. Albert Delgado in Miami is also recommended. All named attorneys are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

King & Spalding LLP, which advises on a range of real estate transactional matters, has a client base which includes financial institutions, alternative capital and debt funds, private equity funds and family offices. In 2018 the firm added a seven-attorney real estate finance group in New York from Riemer & Braunstein. Jennifer Morgan and John Wilson, who are based in New York, recently advised Greystar Real Estate Partners on the formation of Greystar Student Housing Growth and Income Fund, a $4.6bn open-end student housing fund formed to acquire EdR. Charlotte-based Mark Thigpen represented real estate investment compnay Asana Partners on more than $1.5bn-worth of deals involving properties across the US. Atlanta-based Joshua Kamin acts for Jamestown and recently advised on the acquisitions and financing of properties in Miami, Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh with an aggregate value of $930m. Charlotte-based Davis Powell, Atlanta-based Sarah Borders and Kamin acted for Cerberus Real Estate Capital Management on various joint venture acquisitions and the refinancing of a hotel with an aggregate value of more than $1.5bn. Other clients include Brookfield Infrastructure Group, Prologis, Transwestern Investment Management and Clarion Partners.

Mayer Brown's real estate team acts for public and private companies, joint ventures, private equity firms, individuals and institutional investors on acquisitions, dispositions, developments, asset management, financing and leasing of all types of real estate asset classes. On the financial side the firm advises on senior secured, syndicated acquisition financing, mezzanine financing, refinancing and recapitalizations. Chicago-based Paul Meyer represented Allianz Real Estate of America and affiliated companies on the acquisition of a 43% stake in 1515 Broadway, a mixed-use building in New York City, from SL Green Realty, while Los Angeles-based Scott Cooper and Daniel Liffmann acted for Windsor Capital Group and affiliates on a series of coordinated transactions for the strategic restructuring and recapitalization of ten hotels. Another highlight included advising Principal Real Estate Investors on the $269m sale of a new office building in Seattle. Jeffrey Usow and Brian Aronson head the team from Chicago and Los Angeles respectively. Heather Adkerson, also based in Chicago, advises US and foreign REITs, insurance companies, opportunity funds and developers on various transactional matters. Washington DC-based Keith Willner specializes in acquisitions, financing, leasing, workouts and dispositions. Robert Bressman in New York and Brian Davis in Chicago are also recommended.

Ropes & Gray LLP, which is ‘hands-on, pragmatic and truly committed to client service’, advises on a range of real estate investment and transactional matters including private equity, finance, tax, environmental, joint ventures and loan acquisitions. New York-based Daniel Stanco advised Colony Capital on the multiple repurchase and secured credit facilities to finance more than $3bn of assets following the Colony Capital merger with NorthStar. Jack Creedon in Boston acted for TPG Capital on the $1.8bn sale of IASIS Healthcare to Steward Health Care; this included a $1.4bn sale and leaseback and mortgage financing package with Medical Properties Trust. Stanco also represented Oaktree Capital Management on various repurchase facilities with multiple banks totaling around $750m. New York-based David Djaha - who leads the firm's global real estate investments and transactions group and will become global managing partner in 2020 - specialises in core and distressed acquisitions and dispositions and mortgage-backed finance. ‘Deeply-experienced and client focused’ Richard Gordet and Walter McCabe in Boston are also recommended. Boston-based Alison George recently joined the partnership. Other clients include Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Morgan Stanley, ACORE Capital, The Related Companies and PIMCO.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP is ‘excellent at solving deal issues from start to finish’ and provides ‘diligent efforts with common sense solutions’, advising on a range of matters including M&A, construction, finance, environmental issues, joint ventures, fund formation, development, leasing, land use and zoning and real estate litigation. The firm acts for commercial and investment banks, public and private pension funds, life insurance companies, developers, big-box retailers and institutional landlords. Los Angeles-based Richard Mendelson advised John Hancock Life Insurance Company on various matters including a $500m loan and acquisition of four properties, while New York-based John Napoli advised Workspace Property Trust on a $1.28bn loan from JP Morgan Chase. Peter Korda co-chairs the firm’s national structured and real estate finance practice group and the New York real estate department. Boston-based Andrew Shure and Eric Greenberg are also recommended, alongside Washington DC-based Thomas Galli and Cynthia Mitchell in New York. Robin Freeman and Mitchell co-lead the firm’s healthcare real estate and finance practice, Freeman is also chair of the San Francisco real estate department. In March 2018 Michael Rechtin joined the Chicago office from Baker McKenzie LLP and now chairs the firm's data center services practice group.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP's real estate bench deals with financing and refinancing, single-asset and multi-property portfolio acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, leasing and development transactions. Practice chair Thomas Henry recently advised Jiaming Investment on its joint venture with Tishman Speyer for the construction of The Spiral tower at Hudson Bay in New York. Henry and Carly Glover Saviano advised Paramount Group, a REIT, on the raising of $600m for investment in properties in New York and San Francisco. Henry and newly promoted partner Daniel Backer acted for IO Data Centers on its $1.3bn sale to Iron Mountain, while another highlight included advising Colony Cobalt on multiple mortgage loans totaling $125.1m which were secured by 17 properties. David Drewes acted for a joint venture between Meadow Partners and Slate Property Group on the acquisition of a $125m loan from an affiliate of Mack Real Estate Credit Strategies for the refinancing of a mixed-use development project in Brooklyn. Counsel Janice Levine handles residential closings, financing, leases and construction agreements. All named attorneys are based in New York.

The ‘very diligent and very commercially focused’ Akerman LLP handles urban redevelopment, financing, land deals and construction projects while also advising on distressed real estate and loan origination. Its client base includes investors, developers, builders, lenders, retailers, owners, and corporate end users. Fort Lauderdale-based practice chair Eric Rapkin represented Rock-French Quarter - a joint venture between Rockefeller Corporation and Stiles - on the $134m sale of a multifamily residential tower in Florida. Another highlight included acting for Lennar Multifamily Communities on the $225m acquisition and redevelopment of The MET, a multifamily site in Costa Mesa, California. A further highlight included advising Host Hotels & Resorts on the $215m acquisition of the Loews Don CeSar Hotel and the Beach House Suites in St Pete Beach, Florida. Miami-based Richard Bezold, New York-based Steven Polivy and Florida-based Andrew Robins are also recommended. Mark McElree and Kacy Whitehead joined from McElree Smith in Dallas, while Iran Hopkins joined from Ervin Cohen Jessup in Los Angeles.

Ballard Spahr LLP merged with Lindquist & Vennum PLLP in January 2018, a deal which added seven attorneys to the firm's real estate team, which advises on development, land use, tax structuring, construction, leasing, condominiums, mixed-use projects and condemnation. The firm also represents borrowers and lenders in relation to private equity, REITs and CMBS. Clients include developers, hotel brands, management companies, housing authorities, underwriters and investors. Mark Pollak in Baltimore recently advised Sagamore Development on its $6.9bn, 260-acre Port Covington redevelopment project. Philadelphia-based Tina Makoulian represented The Chemours Company on the $100m development and construction of a 330,000 square foot office, research and lab facility on the University of Delaware's science, technology and advanced research campus in Newark. Another highlight included acting for SRDV on the $300m development of the St Regis Deer Valley Hotel in Utah; this included advising on negotiations with unit purchasers, zoning and entitlements, property tax appeals and hotel management. Practice chair Bart Mellits and Alan Ritterband, both based in Philadelphia, are also recommended. The new joiners from Lindquist included three partners in Minneapolis: Laura Krenz, James Walston and Debra Page. Jeffrey Page also joined the firm as partner in New York from Reed Smith LLP. David Barksdale departed for Loeb & Loeb LLP.

Clifford Chance's US real estate practice handles cross-border transactions, acquisitions and dispositions, equity structures, joint ventures, REIT matters, leasing, mortgage loans, credit facilities and mezzanine loans. ‘Commercially minded and solution-driven’ practice chair Ness Cohen recently advised Madison International Realty on its acquisition of Forest City's 51% interest in 14 retail properties in New York City; a portfolio valued at an estimated $1.3bn. Another highlight included representing YES! Communities on the acquisition and financing of 40 manufactured housing communities and refinancing of 20 other properties for approximately $515m. The firm also advised Almanac Realty Investors on its $376m investment in a joint venture with PECO Real Estate Partners for the acquisition, management and development of a portfolio of retail properties nationwide, while Eddie Frastai advised Standard Chartered Bank on a $100m mortgage loan to LG. Other clients include Safra National Bank of New York, Calatrava Grace, Hone Capital, Lakestar Properties and Deutsche Finance Group. Named attorneys are based in New York.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP handles real estate financing, development, transactions, land use and litigation. It acts as nationwide leasing counsel to several high-profile companies, focusing on client sectors including tech, retail, insurance, finance, banking and real estate. Palo Alto-based practice head Michael Polentz continues to represent Los Angeles County Museum of Art on its $650m project to transform its museum campus. In San Francisco, Clayton Gantz recently acted for Jay Paul Company on the development of its San Francisco property, which includes 432,000 square-feet of commercial office space, while also advising on a $475m loan provided by Deutsche Bank. Orange County-based Steve Edwards and Susan Hori advised Toll Brothers on its purchase of 169 residential units at Pacifica San Juan in Orange County. Tom Muller and Anita Sabine from the Los Angeles office are also recommended. Other clients include Bohannon Development, Lowe Enterprises, Trammell Crow Residential and Westfield.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP's real estate practice covers issues such as land assemblage, ownership, use and development, leasing financing, investment, workouts, restructurings, tax matters and dispositions. The firm's client base includes developers, corporate end-users, REITs, private equity and pension funds, institutional lenders, advisers and servicers. Boston-based Richard Toelke acted for Berkshire Group and CBRE Global Investors on the acquisition and financing of various multifamily apartment complexes across the US. Eric Stern, who is based in the Philadelphia office, advised Incyte Corporation on the lease of its headquarters in Delaware. Washington DC-based Michael Pickett took a lead role for The JBG Companies on the combination of fund assets with the Vornado REIT DC real estate portfolio, a deal which created JBG SMITH Properties. Philadelphia-based of counsel Kathleen Keyser and Washington DC-based Thomas Klanderman are also recommended.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP , which provides ‘proactive and outside-the-box thinking’, has a cross-country practice which advises on issues including portfolio acquisitions, dispositions, fund formations and joint ventures. Practice head Gerard Walsh advised Westbrook Partners on the $700m sale of the south portion of St John's Terminal in New York to a joint venture between Oxford Properties Group and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Jonathan Roheim took a lead role for Hackman Capital Partners on the purchase of development rights for the Culver City creative office project from Hudson Pacific Properties in Los Angeles. Nicole Walsh and New York-based Tal Hacohen acted for Superior Plus on a $900m real estate and M&A deal that involved the acquisition of outstanding equity interest in NGL Propane. San Francisco-based Jacobus Machalow was promoted to partner and led on the representation of Swift Realty Partners as the seller and a partner in a joint venture, for the recapitalization of equity interest in a $600m portfolio of four office properties across California. Michael Liever, from the San Francisco office, advised the City of San Francisco on the development of The Grand Hyatt Hotel at San Francisco International Airport. New York-based Marshall Brozost acted for State Street Global Advisors on the $276m sale of a multi-tenant office building to Related Beal in Boston. Randolph Perry is also recommended. Katherine Jones was promoted to partner. All named attorneys are based in Los Angeles unless otherwise stated.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP handles a range of real estate transactions, as well as advising on development projects, leasing for landlords and tenants, loan modifications and bankruptcies, public-private partnerships, distressed real estate assets, and financing for lenders and borrowers. San Francisco-based practice head Rachel Horsch recently advised Barrett Block Partners on the agreement for the sale of property at 4th and Harrison Streets in San Francisco, while California-based real estate and construction head and former CEO Jim Rishwain represented NIMES Capital on various recent projects including the acquisition of a multifamily project at The District at Greenville Apartments and the acquisition of Westchase Forest, both in Texas. Washington DC-based tax specialist Brian Blum is also recommended. Other clients include Triple Five Worldwide, Commonwealth Partners, Jay Paul Company, Shorenstein and Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Boar. Thomas Allen left for Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP's practice provides advice on issues such as development, finance, sales, acquisitions, joint ventures and real estate restructurings. Team head Jeffrey Lenobel has been advising Oxford Properties Group on its joint venture with The Related Companies to lease and develop the $15bn Hudson Yards project in New York, which opens in March 2019, while Julian Wise has been leading the firm's team advising Cerberus Capital Management on its affiliate’s acquisition of assets of Club Exploria Resorts. The firm advised Albertsons and an investor group led by Cerberus on Albertsons' $9.2bn merger with Safeway in 2015 and has since continued to act for the supermarket chain in connection with credit facilities aggregating billions of dollars. Bruce Cybul focuses on advising major financial institutions and private equity, hedge and opportunity funds in their real estate transactional, capital markets and securitization matters. All named attorneys are based in New York.

The ‘very client-friendly, knowledgeable, personable and expert in its field’ Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is particularly adept at handling transactional and land-use matters. The firm advises on large build-to-suit office development projects, mixed-use projects, joint ventures as well as the financing of large private real estate developments, and is known for its strong presence in California but also deals with matters in New York, Washington DC and Chicago. San Francisco-based Keith Garner and San Diego-based Nancy Scull, who is ‘careful, pragmatic and an expert in community governance matters’, head the team. Los-Angeles-based James Pugh advised Lightstone Group on obtaining approval for the $700m Fig + Pico Conference Center Hotels project. Thomas Masenga, who is also based in Los Angeles, advised the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System on a $1.1bn loan to a Blackstone fund. Another highlight included acting as lead land-use counsel to The Peebles Corporation, MacFarlane Partners and Claridge Properties in relation to the $1.5bn mixed-use Angels Landing project in Los Angeles. Other key practitioners include Los Angeles-based Pamela Westhoff, Alfred Fraijo and Orange County-based Scott Morehouse. Peter Koffler joined the New York office in late 2018 from Venable LLP.

Thompson Hine LLP handles a wide array of real estate matters including planning, development, leasing, financing, dispute resolution and government incentive programs. The multi-disciplinary team also deals with corporate expansion, construction, development, acquisition, sales, and headquarters and plant development projects. Cleveland-based James Aronoff and Robyn Minter Smyers recently advised Forest City Enterprises on its $11bn merger with Brookfield Asset Management, while Stephen King in the Cincinnati office advised Ackermann Group on a $40m multi-family, office and retail redevelopment project. The firm also continues to represent Dutch multinational AkzoNobel on its leasing, legacy asset dispositions and asset sales matters. A further highlight saw the firm act for Brookfield Asset Management on a number of portfolio transactions including the acquisition of a 50% joint venture interest in a $2bn portfolio of multifamily projects across several states. New York-based Karen Kozlowski advises on financing, leasing, loan restructuring and workouts, acquisitions and dispositions, and distressed debt transactions. Cleveland-based Linda Striefsky and Columbus-based Darrel Davison are also recommended. Other clients include Bank of China, United Technologies Corporation, Pratt & Whitney and Rouse Properties.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP advises clients on finance, acquisitions, dispositions, development and workout matters. Its client base includes investment funds, investors, pension funds, REITs, developers, government agencies and lenders. A recent highlight included representing 7-Eleven on its $3.3bn acquisition of around 1,110 convenience stores from Sunoco, while the firm also acted for HCA on the divestiture of its hospital operations in Oklahoma. The firm took a lead role for Commercial Metals Company on the $600m acquisition of 33 rebar steel mill and fabrication assets from Gerdau. Los Angeles-based Hushmand Sohaili recently advised Colony Capital on the upsizing of an existing mezzanine loan and preferred equity for the redevelopment of a luxury hotel in Los Angeles. Other key partners include Dallas-based John Bain, Marc Epstein, and Los-Angeles based David Phelps.

Baker & Hostetler LLP advises on acquisitions, development, construction, and the leasing and management of all property types. Key client sectors include healthcare, hospitality, homebuilding, energy, student housing and sports. Cleveland-based Amy Kellogg and M&A specialist Albert Adams continue to advise Big River Steel on the construction and operation of its $1.7bn steel mill manufacturing facility in Osceola, Arkansas. Orlando-based John Melicharek acted for Acron on a $200m joint venture with First Hospitality Group for the ground leasing and development of a Hilton Curio hotel in Chicago. Robert Gebaide, who is also based in Orlando, advised SCG Hotel on its $185m acquisition of the Renaissance Vinoy St Petersburg Resort & Golf Club from affiliates of RLJ Lodging Trust. Atlanta-based Joann Gallagher Jones advised Northside Hospital on the lease of more than 180,000 square feet of office space for its new headquarters in Brookhaven, Georgia, in a deal valued at around $100m. Other clients include Hyatt Corporation, Hard Rock Café, Pulte Home Company and The Milestone Companies. Jacquline Best joined as counsel in Orlando from Broad and Cassel. Sameer Mohan left the firm for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

'Trusted advisor' Baker Botts L.L.P. advises domestic and international clients on commercial real estate developments, joint ventures, acquisitions and sales, financings and leasing transactions. Dallas-based Jeremy Gott recently took a lead role for Hunt Realty on the purchase of more than 2,500 acres of land in Texas for a mixed-use development. Paul Landen, who is based in Houston, advised key client Hines on the redevelopment of The Parks at Walter Reed, a 66-acre land development on the site of a former army medical base. Houston-based Kimberly Schlanger acted for Pinto Realty Partners on the negotiation of a joint venture with Pinpoint Commercial for the development of three multifamily projects in Houston, while San Francisco-based Patricia Stanton advised Hines on a multi-tier joint venture involving the $1.9bn development of a 200-acre site in San Diego, California. New York-based special counsel Brayton Dresser and Dallas-based Stephen Marcus are also recommended.

Baker McKenzie LLP's real estate team advises on development, planning, land use, acquisitions and sales and tax matters. On the finance side the firm deals with cross-border property and portfolio financing transactions, loan portfolios, refinancing, workouts, loan syndications and participations. Its client base includes multinationals, banks, hotels, retail corporations, healthcare providers, construction firms and REITs. Matt Alshouse advised AIP Asset Management on the creation of a $100m pre-development mezzanine loan relating to The Drew Las Vegas resort and casino, while the firm continues to act for high-profile luxury goods retailers on store leases and real estate matters, including Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss and Prada. Another key client is Koch Industries, which the firm advises on a range of real estate issues. Michael Smith heads the practice with support from Kathryn Johnstone, who specialises in commercial leasing and real estate financing. Michael Rechtin left for Seyfarth Shaw LLP. All named attorneys are based in Chicago.

Eversheds Sutherland has ‘a wide and deep experience set within real estate’, advising domestic and international clients on a range of transactional and finance matters. Its client base includes pension fund advisers, REITs, developers and investors. The firm recently advised Preferred Office Properties on its $66.5m acquisition of the Armour Yards office development in Atlanta, Georgia. Clayton Howell acted for Hines on its $90m development of T3 West Midtown in Atlanta; a deal which involved a joint venture, debt financing and tax incentives. Another highlight included acting for New City on its $164m development of 725 Ponce, an office-over-retail development in Atlanta. James Jordan advises on purchases and sales, lending, development, leasing and joint venture matters, while Robinson Plowden specializes in data center leasing developments. Trent Myers was promoted to partner and Brooke Parris was promoted to counsel. All named attorneys are based in Atlanta.

Husch Blackwell LLP handles portfolio management, facilities operations, financing, planning and development, sales and dispositions, leasing and environmental real estate matters. Other areas of expertise include tax credits, structuring funds and joint ventures, capital-raising, governance and compliance. Key client sectors include retail, telecoms, sports, housing and community development. Denver-based Kevin Kelley and Jennifer Haynes recently advised National Storage Affiliates on its $1.3bn acquisition of a 112-property portfolio across 17 states and Puerto Rico from Simply Self Storage. Kansas-based Charles Renner represented Hunt Development Group on its $300m bid for a PPP to replace the Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse. Caroline Hermeling heads the team in St Louis. In the Houston office, Kate David and Mike Stafford joined as partners from Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP. Joey Lubinski joined as partner from Ballard Spahr LLP. David Fenley left for Dentons and Jason Romero left for real estate investment company Platform Ventures.

Jones Walker LLP handles acquisitions, dispositions, sale‐leasebacks, leases, developments, planning, management and licensing. Key client sectors include oil, gas, energy, retail, hotel and hospitality, manufacturing, mixed-use and affordable housing. The practice was bolstered in November 2018 by a merger with housing boutique Liles & Rushin, LLC, a deal which saw two partners - Kelly Rushin Lewis and Brandon Hughey - and their team join the firm's new office in Birmingham. New Orleans-based Susan Tyler and Keith Colvin served as co-counsel to Carpenter and Company and Woodward Design + Build on the $500m redevelopment of the World Trade Center Building in New Orleans, which will be converted into a Four Seasons Hotel. Another recent highlight saw the firm advise Bank of China on $1.85bn of financing for the construction of a methanol plan in St James Parish, Louisiana. Other clients include Bank of the Ozarks, Lamar Life Master Tenant, Landbridge Development and Mississippi Baptist Health Systems.

‘Smart, experienced and very responsive’ Loeb & Loeb LLP advises buyers, seller, landlords and tenants on commercial leasing, acquisitions, sales and joint ventures. On the finance side the firm acts for lenders and borrowers on loan origination, CMBS, syndicated credit facilities, loan participations, inter-creditor agreements and mezzanine financing. A recent highlight saw the firm represent the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority on a PPP for the $18bn development of the new West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor in Los Angeles. Another highlight included acting for the County of Los Angeles on a PPP with Trammell Crow Company for the construction of a $400m high-rise office building for the County of Los Angeles. ‘Skilled attorney’ Steven Kornblau , who ‘excels on both complicated and contentious deals’, advised Aareal Capital Corporation on a $460m senior mortgage loan secured by the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Kornblau also advised the LA Metro on the $1.5bn redevelopment of the James A Farley Post Office, which will be converted into part of Moynihan Station in New York. Raymond Sanseverino heads the team in New York with support from Nichole Cortese, Kenneth Sold, Kenneth Freeman and Scott Schneider. David Barksdale joined as a partner from Ballard Spahr LLP in the Los Angeles office. All named attorneys are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Milbank focuses on the finance side of real estate matters including transactions, debt, preferred equity investments, fund and joint venture structures, construction, bridge and term mortgage loans, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), mezzanine loans, non-performing loan acquisitions and sales. The firm also handles inbound and outbound cross-border transactions in the US, Asia, Europe, Canada and the Middle East. The three-partner team is headed by Kevin O’Shea, who recently advised Eldorado Resorts on its $1.85bn acquisition of Tropicana Entertainment. Another highlight included acting for Sahara on the $600m sale of its controlling 75% stake in the Plaza Hotel in New York. Yaakov Sheinfeld advised a joint venture of TPG Real Estate and Gramercy Property Trust, a publicly traded REIT, on a mortgage and mezzanine financing facility from Acore Capital to acquire single-tenant office buildings across the US. Erwin Dweck has advised Oxford Properties Group on multiple transactions, while other clients include Pacific Investment Management Company, JP Morgan Chase, State General Reserve Fund of the Sultanate of Oman, SL Green Realty and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. All partners are based in New York.

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP handles a variety of real estate work including acquisitions and dispositions, financing, leasing, management, joint ventures, construction and operational matters. Its client base includes publicly traded, private companies and high net worth families and individuals. Practice chair Douglas Lubelchek - ‘an outstanding attorney and excellent negotiator’ - advised Equity Residential, a publicly traded REIT, on the $416m sale of a mixed-use development in New York. Douglas Ellis recently led for M & J Wilkow on its $142m acquisition of a shopping center in Colorado. Another key mandate from the real estate company saw the firm advise on the $23.5m acquisition of a Pennsylvania shopping center. Darrin Forbes has experience of projects in various asset classes including multifamily apartment projects, office buildings, television studios, shopping centers, manufacturing and warehousing facilities, and large scale mixed-use projects. Avram Feldman specializes in tax planning, joint ventures and acquisitions. All named attorneys are based in Chicago.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP merged with Broad and Cassel in August 2018. The ‘very talented and friendly’ team has grown by 45 attorneys and 'routinely produces high quality work when time is of the essence’. Areas of expertise include commercial leasing, development, capital markets and loan portfolio transactions. Nashville-based managing partner Larry Papel recently advised W Hotel on the development and construction of a $114m hotel project in Nashville, Tennessee. Atlanta-based team head Andy Litvak represented PointOne Holdings on the $33.5m sale of Waterford Point, a multifamily property in Lithia Springs, Georgia. Another highlight saw the firm advise Starwood Capital on its acquisition of the $600m Dolphin Affordable Housing portfolio. Other clients include Tavistock Development Company, Hillwood, The Bainbridge Companies and Moncure Holdings.

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP provides advice on real estate issues including joint ventures, acquisitions, financing, leasing and development, with the firm's clients including institutional and private equity investors, lenders, borrowers, landlords, tenants, developers and real estate advisors. The firm is adept at handling projects relating to industrial, multifamily and mixed-use properties, shopping centers, medical office buildings and hospital facilities, as well as developments in the energy sector. Austin-based US real estate head Jane Snoddy Smith represented a Melbourne-based developer on a $200m private equity joint venture for the financing and development of an urban multifamily mixed-use tower in Houston, Texas. Austin-based Josh Bernstein recently advised a developer on the acquisition and financing of a mixed-use development acquired via sealed bid auction from the Texas Department of Transportation; the investment is expected to exceed over $500m over several years. The New York team was strengthened by the addition of partners Jill Block and Marc Shapiro from Mayer Brown. Mitchell Lubart in New York is also recommended.

Sullivan & Worcester LLP advises on acquisitions and sales, development, environmental issues, financing, leasing, REIT matters and workouts, while Opportunity Zones - a recent initiative to encourage investment in underdeveloped areas - are a new area of focus for the firm. John Balboni represented Equity Resource Investments on several private equity joint venture transactions with an aggregate value of more than $100m. Ashley Brooks advised Cronin Development on the development, financing and management of the construction of a $500m luxury condominium and two-story restaurant in Boston. Adam Weisenberg is also recommended alongside New York-based real estate finance chair Joseph Philip Forte. The firm took on three partners from Murtha Cullina LLP's affordable housing group - Karen Kepler, John Gahan III and Deirdre Robinson - while Eric Lemont left for an in-house role at a national developer. All named attorneys are based in Boston.

Vinson & Elkins LLP's client base includes banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, developers, consultants, governmental entities and energy and infrastructure companies. In early 2019 the firm secured a major coup in New York with the addition of a large team from Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, including partners Wallace Schwartz,  Julia Sanabria and Adam Endick. A recent highlight included advising Goldman Sachs on its acquisition of a $350m solar portfolio from Marina Energy. Practice head Paul Martin represented Woods Capital Management on its acquisition of One AT&T Plaza, an office building in downtown Dallas. Newly promoted partner Prentiss Cutshaw took the lead in advising Hillwood Properties on the leasing of a 200,000 square foot build-to-suit facility at AllianceTexas to Mercedes Benz Financial Services. Another highlight included acting for Transwestern Investment Group on its $2.5bn acquisition of three corporate campuses. Randy Jurgensmeyer has particular experience advising investment funds, institutional investors and individuals in forming joint ventures and carrying out real estate transactions for all asset classes. Russell Oshman is also recommended. Carrie Winkler joined as counsel from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. Michael Boulden retired. All named attorneys are based in Dallas.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz has a long-established track record of advising on some of the biggest real estate M&A deals in the market, working with clients across the REIT, hospitality and gaming sectors. The New York firm was involved in two of 2018’s biggest deals, acting for Gramercy Property Trust in its $7.6bn acquisition by Blackstone Real Estate Partners VIII, and also advising Forest City Realty Trust’s management on its $6.8bn acquisition by Brookfield Asset Management.

Winston & Strawn advises national developers, lenders, private equity groups, REITs and real estate funds on domestic and international transactions. Areas of expertise include acquisitions, dispositions, development, financing, refinancing and leasing. Texas real estate head Billie Ellis, who is ‘responsive, thorough and has good understanding of legal options’, recently advised Freehold Capital on the $50m acquisition and development of multifamily units across the US. Houston-based Douglas Yeager advised key client Stonelake Capital Partners on the $12m purchase of a 246,000 square foot industrial unit in El Paso, Texas. Another highlight for Stonelake Capital Partners included the acquisition and financing of a $115m portfolio with Guardian Life Insurance, while the firm also took a lead role for Long Cove Development on a high-end, lakefront residential community and marina development project at Cedar Creek Lake in Texas. Houston-based Jeffrey Smith specializes in commercial real estate transactions involving shopping centers, industrial properties, apartments and condominiums.