King & Spalding LLP fields public offerings, fund formation, and finance issues for its clientele of both public and private REITs. The team is especially active with private REITs, and advises on a broad range of matters encompassing M&A and equity and debt offerings. The REIT-focused corporate, finance and investment practice is co-led by three partners including Spencer Johnson who covers the full gamut of capital raising transactions and corporate governance mandates and Kathryn Furman who is adept in other key areas like fund formation and joint ventures. Both co-heads are from Atlanta, as is partner Keith Townsend who is highlighted for his expertise in IPOs. On the tax front, Atlanta-based Wayne Pressgrove is a specialist and has provided tax advice to major clients such as leading housing REIT Greystar. Tony Rothermel retired in June 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Key clients
- 11 North Partners
- Americold Realty Trust
- CARROLL
- Columbia Property Trust
- Cousins Properties
- CyrusOne
- GIC Real Estate
- Inland Construction & Development, Co.
- Jamestown
- Raymond James Real Estate Investment Banking
Work highlights
- Advising Equinix, Inc., the world’s largest real estate investment trust focused on data centers, in the formation of a joint venture with GIC, the sovereign wealth fund of Singapore, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. to raise more than $15 billion of capital to expand Equinix’s hyperscale data centers in the U.S.
- Advising Brian Harper, in his agreement with Bain Capital Real Estateto form a strategic partnership to acquire and operate open-air retail centers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
- Advising Jamestown on its acquisition of $2 billion Atlanta subsidiary of North American Properties.
Lawyers
Practice head
Spencer Johnson; Kathryn M. Furman; Gibbs P. Fryer
Other key lawyers
Keith Townsend; Wayne Pressgrove