Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP maintains a strong lender-side real estate finance practice, with particular depth in the CMBS market and a track record advising on the origination of financing transactions across a broad range of real estate collateral types. The team is also active in syndicated, acquisition, and construction lending and is frequently engaged in refinancings of large-scale and complex developments. The practice is led by Charlotte-based Holly Chamberlain, who brings extensive experience representing lenders on financings across asset classes, including the origination of mortgage and mezzanine loans. Also in Charlotte, Christopher Dickson advises on the origination, sale, and servicing of loans secured by office, industrial, retail, and hotel assets, while Kevin Sholette regularly structures mezzanine loan transactions. The group was strengthened by the arrival of securitization specialist Steven Kolyer from Sidley Austin LLP in August 2025, while Bonnie Neuman, Melissa Hinkle, Nicholas Brandfon, and Molly Lovedale departed in April 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Deep team with varied experience and historical perspective. Tend to be involved with the latest developments and innovations, given the depth of their practice and breadth of clientele. One of the go-to firms in real estate finance and securitization, and focused primarily on that specialty for several decades, while developing new up-and-coming talent simultaneously.’
‘The team is knowledgeable, drawing on vast firm-wide experience, and as hard working as any firm, while maintaining personal and personable relationships better than most. ’
‘The Cadwalader CRE finance team has been a crucial component of getting our team's CRE lending platform off the ground, providing us with essential advice and guidance, and providing top-notch client service across the board, whether on individual transactions or on specific CRE regulatory/state-specific questions. The team is very efficient and responsive, and contemplates our needs and potential issues well ahead of time.’
‘Sulie Arias encompasses everything a client could want out of external counsel. She is extremely smart and anticipates potential issues and needs, and provides guidance and proposals that look out for our best interests that are both market and reasonable. Beyond excellent substantive work, Sulie's ability to manage a deal and the many different personalities involved is top-notch. She is able to handle difficult parties and personalities with patience and kindness while making sure our needs are met. This trait is not common, and she has helped make our deals run smoothly.’
Key clients
- Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
- Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.
- The Goldman Sachs Group
- Goldman Sachs Bank USA
- Bank of America, N.A.
- JPMorgan Chase Bank
- German American Capital Corporation
- UBS AG
Work highlights
Advised the lender group—initiated by Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley and The Goldman Sachs Group—in the record-breaking $1.15 billion refinancing of a mixed-use waterfront development in Washington, D.C.
Represented the lenders in connection with the $1.4 billion financing secured by 11 Madison Avenue, a premier Class A office tower in Manhattan’s Midtown South.
Represented the lenders in the origination of a $1.625 billion CMBS loan secured by a portfolio of 94 industrial, warehouse and manufacturing properties located across seven states.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Holly Chamberlain
Other key lawyers
Christopher Dickinson; Kevin Sholette; Sulie Arias; Steven Kolyer