Firm Profile > Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP > New York, United States

Real estate

Structured finance: securitization

Land use/zoning Tier 1

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP fields one of the most active land use practices in New York City. The group provides legal support throughout the entire lifecycle of a project, including disputes arising from zoning changes, and also has specialist expertise in landmarking and historic preservation. The practice is led by real estate attorney Jonathan Mechanic and Melanie Meyers, who focuses on land use, zoning, public approvals, and is particularly experienced in public-private initiatives. Land use expert Carol Rosenthal is retained by some of the major real estate developers and non-profit institutions in New York City to assist with housing and transportation developments. David Karnovsky is another name to note; he has a strong track record for obtaining land use and other approvals for developments in the Hudson Yards area. Also recommended are Zachary Bernstein and Stephen Lefkowitz, who has over five decades of experience in the areas of real estate and land use.

Real estate Tier 1

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.

Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 1

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP's 'extremely strong' derivatives practice is led by Robert McLaughlin, who handles a range of swaps and derivatives work for major asset managers, and also advises on accelerated share repurchases for well-known corporate clients. 'Walking encyclopedia' David Mitchell is another key figure in the team; he handles derivatives work for elite private equity and hedge fund managers. Swaps and hedges in connection with flagship real estate deals are another particular area of expertise. Also recommended are Washington DC-based William Breslin and Victoria Mazgalev, who was promoted to special counsel.

US taxes: non-contentious Tier 1

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP's 'excellent' tax team works with public and private corporations and partnerships, hedge funds, and investment banks on a broad range of tax matters. Based in the firm's New York office, practice co-head David Shapiro specializes in fund formation, including private equity and hedge funds, and has also advised public and private companies on the tax aspects of domestic and cross-border transactions. Also in New York, Robert Cassanos advises on the tax aspects of leveraged buyouts, fund formations and public and private M&A. In the Washington DC office, practice co-head Alan Kaden maintains a strong transactional practice, focusing on the structuring and negotiation of taxable and tax-free corporate acquisitions and reorganizations. Cameron Cosby joined the DC office in January 2019 from Hogan Lovells US LLP. Cosby is a strong addition to the practice, bringing with him over two decades of experience assisting clients with the tax aspects of complex real estate and partnership transactions.

Alternative/hedge funds Tier 2

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises many of the largest alternative and hedge fund managers (including BlackRock, Citadel, and Tudor Investment Corporation) on traditional fund formation, as well as on structuring fund manager spin-outs, incubation transactions, hybrid funds, and real estate funds. Practice head Lawrence Barshay specializes in the structuring investment funds and other alternative investments, while Walid Khuri focuses both on the formation and ongoing transactional work of funds-of-funds. Jessica Forbes and counsel David Selden are noted for their advice on the regulatory and compliance issues of fund formation, particularly as they apply to bespoke products and managed accounts. Also recommended are Lisa Schneider, Bradford Lucas, and Jonathan Adler, who focuses on funds transactions. Todd McMullan and Stacey Song were recently promoted to partner.

Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 2

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP’s premier leveraged finance practice is a significant boon on the equity capital markets side. The team frequently represents private equity sponsors, and their portfolio companies, on equity offerings, with AEA Investors, Goldman Sachs and Permira all on the firm’s books. On the manager front, the firm acts as designated underwriters’ counsel to a raft of corporate clients, including Athene. The largely New York-based department is led by senior specialist Daniel Bursky, who consistently represents both issuers and underwriters in public and private equity offerings. Up-and-coming partner Andrew Barkan had a banner year, which included leading the firm’s advice to Blackstone-backed Tradeweb Markets on its $1.1bn IPO. Mark Hayek is also a key contact and his practice has an emphasis on private equity-related securities offerings. REITs IPO specialist Stuart Barr recently joined in Washington DC from Hogan Lovells US LLP.

Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 2

Practice head Jeffrey Ross of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP’s executive compensation practice is noted for his strong ERISA Title 1 knowledge, and routinely advises hedge funds or private equity clients on fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction rules for pension plan investment transactions. Ross and Donald Carleen often work in tandem with the firm’s corporate practice to restructure equity-based and deferred compensation plans, qualified retirement plans and welfare programs on M&A transactions, spin-offs and leveraged buyouts. Additionally, the team recently lent its expertise to Tradeweb Markets’ high-value IPO on the Global Select Market. Alongside a portfolio of funds and financial services clients, assistance with executive compensation negotiations is also provided to senior management teams. Ranked partner Adam Kaminsky recent left for Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, but the firm has scooped up Jason Ertel from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. All named professionals are based in New York.

Government contracts Tier 2

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP has had a strong presence in the government contracting space for five decades, advising clients in the aerospace and defense sectors on transactions and M&A, as well as on traditional government contracting work. Washington DC-based counsel James McCullough leads the practice group, which regularly handles complex bid protests and contract litigation alongside its New York and London offices. Also recommended is Michael Anstett, who represents government contractors in suspension and debarment proceedings in addition to his bid protest work. The firm lost two core members of the practice in 2019; former co-chair and litigator Douglas Baruch and Jennifer Wollenberg left for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

M&A litigation: defense Tier 2

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP has a long history of representing companies, financial institutions, special committees, special litigation committees, and officers and directors in challenging corporate action cases filed in state and federal courts throughout the country. Particularly experienced in disputed merger transactions and takeover contests, its work closely with the firm's transactional attorneys to help structure deals with their understanding of the nuances of key jurisdictions, notably the Delaware Court of Chancery. Head of litigation James Wareham in Washington DC leads a practice that has an outstanding practitioner in New York-based Scott Luftglass, who handles litigation arising from corporate transactions, corporate governance, and securities matters. His recent work has seen him act for acquisitive funds such as Apollo Global Management, as well as large corporate such as Sinclair Broadcast Group and board members of Xerox Corporation. Versatile litigator Peter Simmons in New York is also recommended.

Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 2

The private equity fund practice at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP works closely with the firm’s hedge fund practice to advise on a wide range of fund formation matters, with particular strength in the structuring and management of hybrid products. A notable example of this is the firm’s work for BlackRock, which it advised on the creation of a multibillion-dollar evergreen private equity mega fund, BlackRock Long Term Private Capital. Practice head Kenneth Rosh advises on fund formation, investments, acquisitions, secondary transactions, securities, and capital markets, and works closely with Lawrence Barshay, the firm’s asset management practice head, on hybrid funds. Other key figures include Rebecca Neuschatz Zelenka, who has experience advising traditional buyout firms, credit funds, special situations and funds-of-funds; Richard Ansbacher, a name to note for the formation and management for private equity companies with a global investor profile or investment strategy; Jeremy Berry, who has experience of hybrid structuring; and Bryan Hunkele, an expert in fund formation.

Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

Having been a powerhouse in securities litigation for ten years, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP's presence in the market declined but for the last three years it has seen a resurgence in activity. This has led to its work in high-profile class actions, opt-out cases and derivative suits cases for large corporates such as Perrigo and Under Armour. Currently involved in ten stockdrop cases, the firm acts almost exclusively for corporate issuers and their boards, though it is known to be active for financial institutions and special committees. Global chair of litigation James Wareham in Washington DC oversees the securities and shareholder litigation practice, in which 'great litigator' Scott Luftglass in New York stands out. The New York office is also home to experienced litigators Peter Simmons and Israel David, as well as up-and-coming partner Samuel Groner.

Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 3

The well-balanced practice at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises all stakeholders in private and public debt offerings, with a strong record in representing private equity sponsors in bond offerings. On the underwriters’ side, the firm enjoys close relationships with major bulge bracket banks and it also serves as designated underwriters’ counsel for a host of household-name clients, including Estée Lauder and Procter & Gamble. On the issuer side, the group has strong showings in the life sciences, energy, financial services and healthcare sectors. Daniel Bursky heads the New York-based group and brings to bear a strong background in advising private equity sponsors and funds, including Onex and Goldman Sachs, and their portfolio companies on capital markets transactions. Andrew Barkan is widely lauded as a talented up-and-coming partner and secures representations from both issuers and underwriters. Additional contacts include Mark Hayek, who advises on both transactional and regulatory matters, Joshua Wechsler and Joshua Coleman.

Capital markets: high-yield Tier 3

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is highly regarded for its specialist expertise in representing private equity sponsors in high-yield debt offerings, particularly in relation to acquisition finance transactions. The New York-based team is also routinely engaged by corporate issuers in the real estate, life sciences and TMT sectors, as well as major investment banks. Daniel Bursky heads the group and advises a mix of corporate issuers, underwriters and private equity funds in high-yield debt deals, with strong experience in both public and private offerings. Andrew Barkan also maintains a broad capital markets practice and handles a relatively even split of issuer and underwriter-side mandates. Additional contacts include up-and-coming partner Mark Hayek and Joshua Wechsler, who is particularly active on the underwriter side of capital markets offerings.

Commercial lending Tier 3

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP has a well-balanced New York-based team with a strong track record advising borrowers and lenders on complex financings and refinancings. On the lender side, the team is a popular choice with major financial institutions, while on the direct lending side it has over 25 years' experience representing mezzanine and loan funds, including market leaders such as Antares Capital and KKR Credit Advisors. The firm is also well regarded for its mid-cap sponsor-led private equity work, where it represents a broad range of active funds, including Permira and Onex, as well as their portfolio companies. The team's ability to handle cross-border financings has also been boosted by major investments in the London team. J. Christian Nahr leads the multi-faceted team, which includes major names such as F. William Reindel, Daniel Bursky, Brian Murphy, and Emil Buchman, as well as up-and-coming partners like Adam Summers.

M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 3

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP routinely handles standard acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures and restructuring matters for major corporates across several industry areas, notably media, healthcare, industrials, and financial institutions. Robert Schwenkel, Steven Epstein, and Phillip Richter jointly lead the practice from the New York office, with Matthew Soran being another key figure in the team. The firm's presence in London is also an advantage in cross-border mandates, and indeed the team has leveraged its global network in recent multi-jurisdictional deals for Leido and the Mayo Clinic. Other standout transactions include representing Sinclair in its $10.6bn acquisition of former Fox assets from Disney, and acting for Jacobs Engineering Group in the sale of its energy and chemicals arm to WorleyParsons. The firm has recently promoted three partners, including hotly tipped transactional specialist Amber Banks, Shant Manoukian, and Erica Jaffe, further bolstering the group's stable of corporate and M&A-focused partners.

Private equity buyouts Tier 3

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is active in seed-and-stake investments, buyouts, and carve-outs, with major clients including Fortress Investments, Blackstone, and RedBird Capital Partners. The firm's M&A and real estate practices widen its capabilities, particularly in sector-specific transactions, with other industry focuses including pharmaceuticals and financial services. The practice is jointly led by the highly-rated Robert Schwenkel, Christopher Ewan, who works regularly with Goldman Sachs, and Steven Steinman, who advised Yellow Wood Partners on the $585m carve out of Dr Scholl's from Bayer. Andrea Gede-Lange and Randi Lally continue to impress, while DC-based Brian Mangino is also noted for his work with GS and Permira. Large-cap mandates form a large part of the firm's work, recent examples of which include Blackstone's $2.9bn purchase of a stake in Great Wolf Resorts. The team also maintains a steady flow of upper middle-market transactions. A growth strategy in terms of both work and personnel saw three internal promotions in early 2019, with Amber Banks, seed-and-stake specialist Shant Manoukian, and Erica Jaffe all making partner. All lawyers mentioned are in New York unless otherwise stated.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 3

Lawyers at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP are hailed as ‘exceptional in their area of expertise’. Headed by Stuart Barr in Washington DC, the team represents issuers and underwriters in REIT IPOs and is also well-versed in federal income tax matters. In addition, the team is rated for its expertise in strategic corporate governance, and also has core strengths in transactional matters including M&A, spin-offs, joint ventures and public REITs going private.

Capital markets: global offerings Tier 4

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP’s capital markets practice is complemented by the wider firm’s premier acquisition finance practice, which marks it as a popular choice to advise private equity sponsors on IPOs and bond offerings. That said, the firm strikes a balance between issuer and underwriter work and it also routinely represents corporate issuers as well as leading investment banks. Among its industry strong suits, the group had a strong recent run of deals involving the life sciences, technology and shipping spheres but its strong full-service offering ensures that it is capable of working across all market segments. From its New York platform, the team is active across the globe, with notable experience in Europe and Latin America. Daniel Bursky spearheads the practice and frequently represents multinational corporations in debt and equity offerings; he also acts as designated underwriters’ counsel for major repeat issuers such as Procter & Gamble. Andrew Barkan is another key contact and represents issuers, underwriters and selling shareholders in cross-border public offerings and private placements. Additional names include shipping specialist Joshua Wechsler and Mark Hayek, who sits within the corporate, capital markets and finance practice groups.

Merger control Tier 4

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP helps clients to plan transactions that often involve international and multijurisdictional elements, for instance providing risk assessments for sellers or advice on the full range of options from a buyer's perspective. Often acting in collaboration with the London office, the team is especially sought out by private equity firms for assistance with mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. The merger control team is headed by Nathaniel Asker in New York and further able to handle merger-related litigation. Special counsel Aleksandr Livshits, also in the firm's New York office, provides key support in a broad range of industries.

Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is the firm of choice for many secured lenders, ad hoc groups of holders, and financial institutions in relation to bankruptcies, out-of-court restructurings of distressed companies, and cross-border disputes. The international team has its main locations in London and New York, the latter being the base from which Brad Eric Scheler chairs the group. In 2019, Matthew Roose left the team to join Ropes & Gray LLP.

Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is noted for handling large-scale investigations, in addition to its stellar individual representations. The group has particularly strong ties with the financial services industry, and has developed an active practice in cases involving FCPA violations, alleged accounting fraud, money laundering and sanctions violations. Other areas of expertise include procurement and healthcare fraud and RICO conspiracies. The white-collar group is headed by New York's Steven Witzel, who is an expert in anti-corruption compliance and enforcement, and sits within the litigation department, chaired globally by Washington DC's James Wareham, who is seasoned in global corruption investigations. Also from the New York office, Stephen Juris is a further key name for government investigations involving accounting fraud and political corruption.