Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has ‘excellent breadth across M&A, real estate and tax’, advising clients on the full spectrum of REIT transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, public and private equity and debt financings, IPOs, spin-offs, corporate governance, and REIT formations. The team regularly advises public and non-traded REITs, private equity sponsors, and investment banks on capital markets and strategic transactions. Practice lead Sasan Mehrara, in New York is adept in real estate transactions, and M&A as well as disposition related to REITs. New York-based Brian Stadler advises REITs on acquisitions, dispositions, leveraged buyouts, and joint ventures. Also in New York, Edgar Lewandowski focuses on capital markets matters, representing REITs and underwriters in IPOs and equity and debt offerings, while Benjamin Wells advises on REIT formations, securities offerings, and regulatory matters. Fellow New York-based partner Matt Rogers advises on complex M&A transactions, including leveraged buyouts and joint ventures. Washington DC-based Daniel Honeycutt focuses on REIT structures, formations, and acquisitions, with particular experience advising private and non-listed REITs across multiple asset classes and investment strategies.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Simpson Thacher has a top-tier REIT team with excellent breadth across M&A, real estate and tax, which allows them to expertly manage highly complex transactions for sophisticated clients in time-sensitive environments.'
- 'They also work very collaboratively with counsel in ex-US jurisdictions on cross-border transactions to deliver a seamless, well-thought-through strategy and work product.'
- 'Brian Stadler is extremely knowledgeable about the market and his clients, allowing him to quickly cut to the important points and find solutions that work for all parties. Matt Rogers is very knowledgeable and does a great job managing broad, diverse teams on tight timelines to get highly complex deals done.'
- 'Brian Stadler and Matt Rogers worked very well as a team. Both were very pleasant to deal with, open to listening but firm in their positions. No silly table-thumping theatrics. They (and their team) are very bright and organized and managed to get through an enormous amount of work in a very short period of time - so definitely exceptionally hard-working!'
- 'Simpson Thacher is the go-to firm for Private Equity buyers looking to acquire and take private public REITs. Matt Rogers, Brian Stadler, Atif Azher, Anthony King, Krista Miniutti - just an exceptional team of highly talented lawyers.'
- 'Brian Stadler has seen it all and done it all. Brian's experience and knowledge sets him apart. Matt Rogers has deep PE experience taking REITs private in complex situations. Atif Azher is deeply knowledgeable M&A lawyer.'
Key clients
- Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc.
- Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (BREIT)
- Blue Owl Real Estate Net Lease Trust
- Brandywine Realty Trust (Underwriters)
- Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund
- Cohen & Steers Income Opportunities REIT, Inc.
- DigitalBridge Group, Inc.
- Invitation Homes
- J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
- KKR
- KSL Capital Partners
- New Mountain Net Lease Trust
Work highlights
Represented Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a non-traded traded equity REIT, with respect to its continuous public and private offering and ongoing matters.
Represented Blackstone Real Estate Partners X in its acquisition of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (ROIC) in a $4 billion all-cash transaction.
Represented Blue Owl Real Estate Net Lease Trust (ORENT), the first private placement REIT for individual investors, in its launch and ongoing matters.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Sasan Mehrara
Other key lawyers
Brian Stadler; Edgar Lewandowski; Benjamin Wells; Matt Rogers; Daniel Honeycutt; Atif Azher; Anthony King; Krista Miniutti,