Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advises both lenders and borrowers on major loan originations. The practice is well-versed in commercial real estate finance and advises high-profile clients in their transactions, including representing investors, lenders, funds, sovereigns, developers, and operators in complex multi-state mortgage and mezzanine loan transactions. The New York-based team is jointly led by Steven Wilner, Daniel Reynolds, and Joseph Lanzkron. Reynolds centers his practice around domestic and international real estate transactions, advising both lenders and borrowers. His recent work has included representing clients in joint venture negotiations and he continues to represent Brookfield Real Estate Finance Partners as lender on major loans.  Lanzkron handles a wide range of real estate transactions and is particularly sought out for his expertise in real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures. Michael Weinberger left the firm in June 2023, while Aron Zuckerman left the firm in 2024.

Dechert LLP boasts a leading commercial real estate finance practice which is regularly mandated by clients to aid with origination of commercial real estate loans, including mortgage and mezzanine loans, as well as with real estate acquisitions and dispositions. The firm specializes in representing lenders in complex real estate finance transactions and advises clients on seeking leverage through repurchase agreements. Advising issuers, underwriters, and asset sellers in CMBS and standalone securitization of large loans is also a key pillar of the practice. Practice heads Laura Swihart and John Timperio lead the team from New York and Charlotte, respectively. Swihart is the go-to for clients requiring assisting with commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions. She has also represented a number of joint ventures and entities with creating commercial mortgage loan origination platforms. The firm has a large team of lawyers to assist its large client base all over America, key names include David Forti who takes the lead in Philadelphia, Stewart McQueen who is key to the commercial mortgage-backed securities practice in North Carolina, and in Philadelphia Jason Rozes is an expert in advising lenders on commerical real estate finance. Richard Jones is an expert in capital markets and mortgage finance, while Devin Swaney focuses on structure finance and real estate matters and are both based in New York. Matthew Ginsburg, Kenneth Hackman and Nitya Kumar Goyal in Pennsylvania, and Laura Ciabarra and Matthew Fischer over in New York, are all noted for their specialism in real estate finance. In Philadelphia, Victoria Boland is noted for her experience representing investment banks, life insurance companies, and commercial banks.

 

The real estate group at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP excels in assisting clients both domestically and globally with real estate transactions. The practice assists clients with a wide scope of matters including real estate capital markets and joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions of all asset types, debt and equity financing, as well as real estate M&A. The firm is sought out by lenders, operators, developers, and investment firms to handle their complex financing, hospitality and leisure sector transactions, and sales. Sovereign wealth funds and family offices are also a part of the firms client base. Real estate expert Eric Feuerstein leads the practice from New York alongside Los Angeles-based Jesse Sharf. Feuerstein is well-versed in a number of financing issues including joint ventures, debt purchases, and restructurings, while Sharf represents mezzanine lenders, construction lenders, CMBS lenders, and portfolio lenders in real estate transactions. Part of the New York team, Noam Haberman is key to representing banks and funds in origination, purchase and sale of balance sheets, and securitization, Andrew Lance is noted for his expertise in real estate capital markets, Aaron Beim advises institutional real estate investors, and Steven Klein is knowledgeable about real estate transactions and REIT issues. In Los Angeles Mark Osher focuses on capital markets and balance sheet financing. San Francisco-based Kahlil Yearwood is noted for representing portfolio lenders, debt fund managers, and private equity firms in transactions. Real estate finance specialist Michael Weinberger joined the firm in July 2023 from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and is based in New York. Since research concluded, Victoria Shusterman has left the firm.

Morrison Foerster is a go-to firm for clients on commercial real estate debt transactions. The team’s expertise in large syndicated term and construction loans, with CMBS, involving mortgage debt and mezzanine loans is of particular note. The firm has become increasingly involved in advising clients on potential issues related to the current distressed real estate landscape, boasting a specialized distressed real estate team to represent clients in these transactions which include global restructurings to single-asset and portfolio workouts. Mainly assisting lenders, clientele range from banks and investment banks to mortgage REITs and debt funds. In New York Mark Edelstein acts as global real estate chair for the firm, while fellow New York- based partner Jeffrey Temple and Los Angeles-based Thomas Fileti co-head the US real estate practice. Edelstein is an expert in real estate finance, representing lenders and equity players in issues from mortgage to construction loans, and acquisitions. Investment-related finance matters are handled by Fileti who specializes in real estate finance transactions and the full gamut of credit facilities. Co-chair Temple is experienced in representing both lenders and borrowers in complex real estate transactions, and is key in representing investors in large-scale acquisitions and dispositions of US commercial assets, and in loan restructurings and workouts. Christopher Delson resides in New York, Keith Print splits his time between New York and Miami, and New York-based counsel Tushna Gamadia are also noted for their roles in commercial real estate transactions. Alfred Williams was recently promoted to partner and focuses on acquisitions, financing, and development of US real estate assets from New York.

Advising financial institutions as lenders in commercial real estate transactions, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP frequently represents clients such as JPMorgan and Wells Fargo and other loan contributors in the CMBS market. The team is known for its expertise in CMBS, advising clients on commercial real estate loan originations as well as expanding the practice to include syndicated, acquisition, and construction lending. Practice head Bonnie Neuman is a leading real estate lawyer, representing global investment banks, financial institutions, investors and servicers in major transactions including origination of mortgage and mezzanine loans. Financing commercial properties such as hotels, office buildings, and recreational facilities are also an area of expertise for New York-based Neuman. In Charlotte, as well as real estate finance Holly Chamberlain also handles matters affecting property owners’ ownership, and acquisition and disposition of real estate interests. Assisting Neuman in New York, Nicholas Brandfon has experience handling transactions involving different property types including offices, hotels, condominium, and retail buildings. Christopher Dickson is also located in Charlotte, handling both real estate finance and securitization issues, and is also well-versed in multi-state, multi-property pooled transactions.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP separates its offering into real estate finance and corporate real estate practices, enabling the firm to give specialized advice to clients on transactions within both spheres. On the real estate finance side, the team represents borrowers and lenders in development projects. The practice is historically known for its borrower-side practice but is also strong in lender-side representation. The corporate real estate practice handles joint ventures, preferred equity transactions, acquisitions and dispositions involving real estate owners and operators as well as portfolio transactions and restructurings. The team has been particularly active in representing clients in complex joint ventures, while the real estate finance team  has assisted with a number of large loans, including mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, and construction financing. The corporate real estate practice is led by Fiona Kelly and Lee Parks, while Michael Barker and Michael Vines lead the real estate finance group. Barker and Vines are both real estate specialists, representing clients in commercial real estate finance matters such as origination of commercial loans for capital markets, syndicate, and balance sheet lenders as well as on other key finance transactions. Real estate specialist Kelly focuses on high-value corporate real estate transactions and joint venture acquisitions and dispositions of interests in real estate portfolios and private real estate companies. Steven Rudgayzer is well-versed in complex joint venture transactions, Patrick Dowd handles joint venture agreements for investment in commercial real estate largely representing private equity funds, and Kabaye Liku represents lenders and institutional investors in origination and restructuring of mortgage and mezzanine loans for capital markets. Suzanne Decker left the firm in June 2023. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a widespread presence all over the US with real estate, development and finance chaired by Brett Gross, who is based in New York. The firm is mandated by a large number of prominent banks to assist with real estate finance transactions, and sustainability-related queries. It is especially noted for its skills in commercial real estate lending where it assists with structuring deals, drafting documents, negotiating, and closing loans. On the lender side, other than banks the team also represents life insurance companies, REITs, and savings and loan institutions. Purchase and sale of real estate debt assets including financing, and workouts is also key to the practice. Co-chair Gross is known for his expertise in secured financings and is the leading force in counselling clients on loan workouts and restructurings of distressed loans. In Dallas, Kathleen Wu advises a wide range of clients on real estate transactions, including joint ventures, loan servicing, and financings, while in New York, Peter Mignone and Matthew Halal both advise lenders and investors on secured financings.

Jones Day boasts a well-rounded real estate and financial markets practice, focusing on representing large banks as lenders as well as advising borrowers in both small and major financial transactions. Practice head David Paulson sits in San Francisco and represents commercial lenders in real estate transactions, as well as assisting with resolving and restructuring distressed loans. Co-head Richard Rosenblatt leads the team from Atlanta and is especially sought out for his expertise in bilateral and syndicated real estate finance transactions. Other key practitioners include Chicago-based real estate specialists John Rafkin and David Woods, Michael Riess represents lenders in secured and unsecured lending in Washington DC, and Mark Biggar advises commercial lenders from Cleveland. Recently promoted partner Daniel French is the go-to for lenders requiring advice on single-asset and portfolio transactions related to healthcare, industrial, multifamily, office, or retail.

Real estate finance expert Erwin Dweck leads the New York-based real estate practice at Milbank. Dweck has a long history in commercial real estate and is sought out by financial institutions, private equity and hedge funds, and investment managers. His work includes real estate acquisitions, financings, preferred equity, joint ventures, and advising clients on distress in the office sector. High profile UCC foreclosures and distressed debt workouts are where the team excels, assisting with securitization trusts and tranches. The firm works across a number of sectors but stands out for its expertise in office spaces. Kevin O’Shea is the go-to for mezzanine loan foreclosures, while Yaakov Sheinfeld represents both lenders and borrowers from institutional capital sources in real estate investments, dispositions, and foreclosures. Jonathan Karl also focuses on bridge and mezzanine financing.

Dentons uses its broad network and financial expertise to advise lenders on in-bound and cross-border real estate transactions, including CRE financings, construction loans, and acquisitions. The firm represents both national and international lenders such as major banks, life insurance companies, and debt funds. In Chicago, Steve Davidson is the go-to for construction related real estate financing, while over in New York Richard Stempler handles a wide range of transaction types from CMBS to balance sheet lending and Gary Goodman represents agent banks in syndicated loans. Sarah Armendariz assists lenders, borrowers, title companies, and tenants in real estate transactions from Kansas City.

Eversheds Sutherland‘s real estate practice is specialized in debt and equity real estate transactions, assisting both borrowers and lenders with all stages of the investment process. The practice is especially skilled at handling securitizations, including SASB and SFR securitizations. Financial institutions, institutional investors, national and international real estate investors, as  well as syndicators and commercial loan servicers all seek out the team for aid in their complex real estate transactions. The practice is jointly led by real estate experts John Benson and Lisa Rosen from New York and Washington DC, respectively. Benson excels in securitization commercial real estate loans, while Rosen is an all-round expert in real estate finance and structured finance, playing a leading role with securitization and capital market clients. New York-based John Busillo handles workouts and disposition of distressed real estate, while Atlanta-based William Rothschild is well-versed in both domestic and international real estate transactions. Thomas Dugan is a name to note for his expertise in securitizations and other complex real estate finance transactions from Washington DC. James Murphy resides in New York and advises on a range of real estate finance issues.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has a sizeable nationwide team, with practice heads David Herman, Mal Serure, and David Wolff located across New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago respectively. The practice is active in financings, restructurings, workouts, joint ventures, construction projects and loans. The firm has diverse clientele ranging from buyers, sellers, borrowers, lenders to landlords and tenants. Wolff has advised a number of private equity sponsors, develops, capital providers, and REITs with commercial real estate transactions. Joining the firm from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Herman is the go-to for real estate-related companies seeking assistance with M&A, acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, and other transactions.  Representing a range of real estate companies, REITs, and banks, Serure advises both lenders and borrowers on mortgage and mezzanine loan financing. Real estate finance specialists Jeffrey Steiner and Scott Weinberg are key names to note in the New York office. David Broderick left the firm in March 2024.

The real estate finance practice at Paul Hastings LLP is headed up in New York by financing expert Rick Allendorf who is noted for his focus on debt finance. He is known for acting on behalf of lenders on origination loans for securitization against commercial real estate projects. The team has experience in a wide range of real estate finance matters from securitizations, origination of loans, mortgage and mezzanine loans, to workouts and other distress-related real estate financing. The firm excels in assisting and advising on projects such as mortgage financing of residential New York properties. Key team members include Lisa Chaney who excels in advising banks as administrative agents and buyers in commercial real estate financings, John Cahill advises on both domestic and cross-border transactions, and Eric Schwitzer assists clients with commercial loans and restructurings. Michael Berman is the key contact for private equity houses. Financing expert David Broderick joined the team from McDermott Will & Emery LLP in March 2024. All aforementioned lawyers are based in New York.

The real estate finance group at Ballard Spahr LLP assists with real estate transactions including mezzanine, construction, and mortgage loans all over the US. Distressed real estate and loan restructurings and enforcement are another key pillar of the practice as well as its private credit and equity real estate practice. Dominic De Simone, Siobhan O’Donnell, and Thomas Hauser all co-lead the group from Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Baltimore respectively. Finance expert De Simone handles transaction structuring and restructuring as well as distressed real estate matters. He is also well-versed in balance-sheet and CMBS loan originations and construction loans. O’Donnell is a commercial real estate finance expert and often represents investment banks and commercial banks, Hauser handles complex real estate transactions, while in Philadelphia, Tina Makoulian is experienced in office, retail, and industrial leasing issues.

Cox, Castle & Nicholson represents a variety of lenders from regional banks to insurance companies as well as developers and institutional investors. The Los Angeles-based practice focuses on the finance side of real estate transactions, with its capital markets team handling loan originations including construction and bridge loan transactions for a wide range of real estate asset types. Co-heads Adam Weissburg and Caroline Dreyfus are financing experts who are well-versed in representing both lenders and borrowers in real estate transactions. Katherine Bissett is key to financing transactions involving bridge and construction financing, mezzanine loans, and acquisitions.

Lenders, borrowers, and guarantors seek out the real estate finance team at Greenberg Traurig, LLP for assistance with construction related financing issues such as construction loans for multifamily projects and commercial units. The team is co-led by Michael Moser and Cory Tessler in New York - Moser specializes in advising lenders on a variety of issues such as bridge loans, mezzanine loans, and construction financing, while ommercial real estate expert Tessler actively advises on construction lending and assists lenders with mortgage conduit and securitization programs. Michael Davis leads the Los Angeles real estate practice and represents a number of real estate funds and REITs, while Kimberly LeCompte sits in Miami and represents owners and developers of multifamily, office, commercial, and mixed-use buildings. Also noted is Dallas-based Tina Ross who handles a number of construction financings for senior lenders and Farah Ahmed over in New York.

Holland & Knight LLP‘s real estate finance and real estate capital markets practice has numerous locations all over America with practice heads and finance experts Joe Guay and Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz situated in New York and Miami, respectively. The team is active over a number of transaction types, typically representing national and foreign banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and debt funds. CRE capital market transactions falls within the scope of the practice alongside workouts and lender and borrower representation. In Century City, David Packer is a key name for secured debt workouts, acquisition and disposition, and real estate financings, while in Charlotte David Iacuzio manages CMBS and CLO programs. John Decker focuses on commercial real estate from Atlanta. New York-based litigator Vivian Arias and Dallas-based real estate expert Matthew Swerdlow is also noted.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP‘s real estate finance practice spans the US, assisting lenders with the full gamut of transactions including construction financings, portfolio loans, capital market loans, and mezzanine loans. The team is also well-equipped to handle distressed real estate matters such as workouts, foreclosures, and bankruptcy. Recently the practice has expanded its reach and has started assisting with issues in California as well as focusing on infrastructure investment, construction, data centers, and healthcare. Daniel Evans and Jay Wardlaw jointly lead the team from New York and Atlanta. Evans centers his practice on structuring and closing mortgage and mezzanine loan transactions, while Wardlaw specializes in cross-country permanent mortgage, bridge, and construction loans. As a part of the health care real estate and finance team, San Francisco-based Robin Freeman is key to lending transactions in the healthcare space as well as concentrating on West Coast transactions. For distressed real estate issues Arren Goldman in Charlotte is the go-to. Also in Charlotte Katie Schwarting and Dallas-based Amy Simpson have expanded the team’s real estate finance expertise, both joining from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in 2023.

The New York-based real estate finance practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is a strong firm for lenders requiring assistance with acquisitions, loan originations, and joint venture financing. Krystyna Blakeslee leads the practice and is an expert in commercial real estate finance and investment. She is key to the practice’s commercial real estate transactions, representing real estate companies, funds, institutional lenders, and banks, and is also well-versed in a wide range of asset classes from data centers and retail to hospitality and construction. Co-heads Carly Glover Saviano, David Drewes, and Thomas Henry are real estate specialists focusing on transactions, acquisitions and dispositions. All aforementioned lawyers are based in New York. Misty Sanford leads the recently established Los Angeles real estate team for the firm.

The real estate finance practice at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is led by Vanessa Sunshine who is located in California and is well-versed in acquisitions, disposition, and financing of all typical real estate asset classes. She also has expertise on niche sectors such as senior living facilities and golf courses. The firm as a whole largely handles debt related matters such as mortgage loans, construction loans, and CMBS loans. In New York William Campbell focuses on commercial real estate transactions, while Eugene Balshem leads on lending transactions. Real estate finance specialists Varuna Bhattacharyya who is based in New York, and Justin Steinmark and Margot Wainger who are both based in Miami are all key to the practice. James Kousoulas left the firm in May 2023.

Midwest firm Dickinson Wright PLLC is praised for its ‘seamless blend between the different aspects of real estate transactions‘, representing clients in a number of matters over the US, and is especially noted for its work with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s multifamily and mortgage loans. In Troy, Katheryne Zelenock and Michael Lusardi jointly lead the practice, with Zelenock focusing on commercial and multifamily mortgage loans for lenders. Key team member Leslee Lewis advises on construction loans and has expertise in clean energy related projects from Grand Rapids.

Husch Blackwell LLP has a well-rounded real estate finance practice that specializes in advising borrowers and lenders throughout the Midwest, West and Mid-South of the US. The practice covers a wide range of asset types from multifamily, retail, and office to hospitality, mixed-use, and industrial developments. Denver-based Daniel Bray is noted for his ‘creative thinking‘ and real estate transaction expertise, while Milwaukee-based Cynthia Fletcher has represented a number of clients as borrowers and lenders in commercial financing transactions. In Madison, Paul Dombrowski has great experience representing lenders in construction-related matters.

Real estate specialist McGuireWoods LLP represents lenders in various financings, such as multifamily mortgage loans, bridge financing, and acquisitions. Dennis Mensi leads the practice from New York, focusing on advising lenders on originations and servicing of commercial mortgage loans. He is key to originating multifamily loans intended for sale to Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac. In Richmond Craig Harmon is the go-to for mortgage lending, while Los Angeles-based Alice Youngbar assists with financing multifamily properties. Bill Seligman is also based in Los Angeles and is well-versed in representing mezzanine lenders and institutional investors in financing transactions. Lease financing and financing of hotels and healthcare are handled by Nancy Little from Richmond.

O'Melveny & Myers LLP has recently grown its real estate finance practice with the addition of Malcolm Montgomery to the New York team, joining in July 2023 from Shearman & Sterling LLP. Montgomery ‘s return to the firm has opened up its New York practice, largely advising lenders such as banks and REITs with real estate investment and transactions. The firm handles both financings such as multi-property secured loans, mezzanine financings, and construction financings as  well as workouts and restructurings of real estate assets. Practice head Michael Hamilton is located in Los Angeles and advises on corporate restructuring transactions and borrower-side representation.

Proskauer Rose LLP has a national real estate practice with locations in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and is particularly known for its prowess in hospitality, leisure, and gaming sectors. New York-based Jeffrey Horwitz is an expert in the aforementioned sectors and has a wealth of experience advising on transformative transactions. The team has a well-rounded practice assisting with retail lease transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and joint venture financings. Steven Lichtenfeld is the go-to for private equity and hedge fund clients, while David Weinberger handles complex mortgage and mezzanine loans and are both based in New York.

New York-based firm Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP focuses on real estate finance matters in New York, but also handles deals involving other major cities such as Los Angeles and Miami. The practice advises both lenders and borrowers, and also represents New York landlords and retail tenants in negotiations. Practice head Julian Wise has a wide breadth of experience from multi-tranche mezzanine financings and intercreditor agreements to advising on acquisitions, dispositions, and financings of different asset classes. Seth Henslovitz is key to the team, representing lenders and borrowers in commercial mortgage and mezzanine financings. Ari Aranda is also noted.