Boasting an ‘outstanding understanding of the market, crucial expertise in the relevant law, and a team that is focused on customer service excellence’, the team at Paul Hastings LLP is highly regarded for its skill advising on complex high-value debt work covering areas such as restructuring, refinancing, mortgage and construction loans, in addition to its deep experience in joint ventures and transactions. In doing so, the firm represents a wide breadth of clients on the borrower and lender, developer and investor sides. The team is headed by New York-based trio Eric Landau, the global chair of real estate, Peter Olsen, the global chair of the real estate development group, and Rick Allendorf, head of the real estate finance practice group. Derek Roth leads the Los Angeles real estate department and is also the co-chair of the firm’s leisure and hospitality practice group which possesses substantial expertise in the hotel and resort sectors in particular. In the Washington DC office, Michael Berman is noted for his advise to private equity giants including Oaktree and Angelo Gordon’s Net Lease Fund, while Gerd Alexander is an active name on transactions in New York. In 2023, the firm added Pablo Clarke to their Century City office, formerly at Latham & Watkins LLP.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Outstanding understanding of the market, crucial expertise in the relevant law, and a team that is focused on customer service excellence.’
‘The team is very practical, solution oriented and propose fair solutions and identify issues we should really care about versus those that are less relevant or not important.’
‘Paul Hastings is a solid firm. Their attention to detail is essential and unparalleled, and their timing and follow-up excellent. They staff appropriately (up/down) each deal to meet the required demands. Paul Hasting's communication is clear, and concise.’
‘Bruce DePaola is an exceptional attorney who puts in the time himself, appropriately assigning work to others, as well he manages his team fittingly. Bruce makes himself available afterhours, and on weekends to ensure milestones are met and closings occur. His understanding of the fundamentals and being able to apply them to the practical application is priceless, and his attention to detail is unmatched. Lastly, Bruce has a great disposition to boot.’
‘The real estate team has broad experience across so many different transactions which support a wide perspective when providing legal advice, structuring transactions and drafting documents.’
‘We primarily work with Gregory Spitzer in the Chicago office and have so for many years. Gregory provides exceptional legal and business advice based on his many years of experience and deep real estate knowledge combined with a broad understanding of income tax considerations and capital markets.’
‘The team is extremely quick, efficient, and solution oriented.’
‘Sam Alavi is our go-to guy at Paul Hastings. He is very resourceful, reliable and user-friendly. We work with Sam across all geographies and asset classes. He's a dynamic leader who staffs and manages his team extremely well.’
Key clients
- Witkoff Group
- Gemini-Rosemont
- L&L Holding Company LLC
- Merchants Hospitality
- The Lightstone Group
- TIAA-CREF
- Millennium Partners
- Oaktree Capital Management
- The Praedium Group
- Aquarian Holdings
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Eric Landau; Peter Olsen; Rick Allendorf
Other key lawyers
Philip Feder; Derek Roth; Michael Berman; Bruce DePaola; Pablo Clarke; Gerd Alexander; Gregory Spitzer; Sam Alavi