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

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.