Latham & Watkins LLP’s real estate team specializes in handling highly complex transactions for a range of clients throughout the market. Leveraging the firm’s global platform, the team provides comprehensive coverage of core real estate areas, handling issues relating to real estate private equity, finance, REITs, and high-end owners and developers of real estate. With a varied breadth of experience, the firm possesses a wealth of expertise, assisting clients in a range of asset classes from data centers and industrial logistics to mixed-use projects and office buildings. Based in the New York office are Michael Haas and Michelle Kelban, with extensive experience across a wide range of asset classes. Also in the New York office is Justin Elliott, who advises a broad range of private equity funds and asset managers. In Chicago, Rachel Bates, who is global vice-chair of the real estate practice group, has extensive experience representing REITs, pension funds, and other institutional investors. Further support in the Chicago office comes from Gary Axelrod, focusing his practice on all aspects of real estate investment and development; he represents private equity sponsors and funds, operating companies, and developers in a range of deals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'I have worked with Michael Haas and he is excellent/exceptional in my view.'
Key clients
- Healthpeak Properties, Inc.
- Realty Income Corporation
- Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
- Lineage, Inc.
- Silver Lake Partners
- Cain International Advisers Limited
- Ares Management LLC
- StepStone Real Estate Partners Fund III, L.P.
- Hyatt Hotels Corporation
- Howard Hughes Holding Inc.
Work highlights
Advised Ares Management in connection with its definitive agreement to acquire the international business of GLP Capital Partners Limited and certain of its affiliates.
Advised Digital Realty on its joint venture with Blackstone-affiliated funds in connection with the development of four hyperscale data center campuses across three metro areas on two continents for an estimated cost of $7bn.
Advised Hyatt Hotels with the sale of the Hyatt Regency Orlando and adjacent 45-acre vacant parcel of land to affiliates of RIDA Development Corporation and an Ares Management Real Estate fund for approximately $1.07bn.
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
Michelle Kelban; Rachel Bates; Doug Heitner
Other key lawyers
Gary Axelrod; Justin Elliott; Michael Haas