DLA Piper LLP (US) advises on a broad range of structured finance and REIT-related tax matters, including securitizations, credit REIT formation and structuring, CMBS and REMIC issuances, and NAV REIT offerings and transitions. The New York-based practice is led by Gerald Rokoff, who brings significant experience advising asset managers, underwriters, and investors on asset-backed securitization transactions, as well as counseling asset advisory firms and investors on US inbound investments across multiple asset classes, including direct credit strategies and CLOs. Also in New York, Shiukay Hung is frequently engaged as special REIT tax counsel on complex, high-value transactions. In Boston, John Wei regularly represents banks, asset managers, and issuers on the structuring of collateralized loan obligations, real estate mortgage investment conduits, and other asset-backed securitizations, alongside a broader range of structured finance matters. Austin-based partner Witold Jurewicz focuses on tax-efficient structures for non-US operations and investments, with additional experience in tax treaty planning and US and international tax reporting and compliance.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team’s business acumen, commercial awareness, and ability to explain complex issues are all excellent. Equally impressive are the team’s responsiveness and commitment to the deals at hand.'
- 'John Wei has been especially helpful on recent deals, and his ability to explain complex legal and tax issues in a commercially sensible manner is a real skill that the business team has appreciated. John’s responsiveness and breadth of knowledge are excellent.'
- 'The team has strong coverage across the US. They are very responsive and generally on top of market trends. They are also particularly solution-oriented and not afraid to pursue pragmatic, commercial outcomes. John Wei is a key individual with whom I have worked.'
- 'John Wei is an excellent US tax practitioner. He is diligent, thorough, and hardworking, as well as technically strong. He is very easy to work with, personable, and calm under pressure. He is solution-oriented and always tries to be as helpful as possible.'
- 'Our DLA Piper LLP (US) team is great, and we are very happy and grateful to have them as our advisors. We have a long-standing relationship with them, and they know our business well. They are thoughtful and provide us with solutions in an efficient manner. They keep us updated on new developments that are relevant to our business. I would absolutely recommend them.'
- 'John Wei is our go-to person for anything tax-related. He is thoughtful, very smart, and an expert in his field. What we greatly appreciate is that he knows how to explain complicated tax matters according to his audience. He is always responsive and available when we need his advice. He is very pleasant and personable.'
- 'Gerald Rokoff is our longest-standing relationship at DLA and oversees our engagement. We appreciate that he is deeply connected within the industry and understands our organization. He knows how to right-size his advice and to staff our account with the right people at DLA.'
Key clients
- MAG Capital Partners
- Kian Capital Partners
- HarbourView Equity Partners, LLC
- Hayfin Capital Management LLP
- Concord Music Group, Inc.
- MC Credit Partners LP
- Nuveen, LLC
- Société Générale [SocGen]
- ArrowMark Partners
- Sound Point Capital Management, LP
- Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.
- Aligned Energy Holdings L.P.
- Harrison Street Real Estate Capital LLC
- Campbell Global, LLC
- Hamilton Lane
- Mirae Asset Global Investments
- Partners Group AG
- Harbert Management Corporation
- Deutsche Bank AG
- Trimaran Advisors, LLC
Work highlights
Advising Goldman Sachs Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc. in connection with its formation and sponsorship of an externally managed, public, nontraded REIT.
Advised Hull Street Energy, LLC (“HSE”), a prominent energy transition investment firm, in the successful closing of Hull Street Energy Partners III, L.P. (“Fund III”).
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
Gerald Rokoff
Other key lawyers
Shiukay Hung; John Wei; Witold Jurewicz