Most Highly Regarded Firms: Real Estate 2011
In this section we anlayse the findings of our research in greater depth to identify the firms and practitioners who stand out worldwide.
| THE INTERNATIONAL WHO’S WHO OF REAL ESTATE LAWYERS 2011 | |
|---|---|
| Most highly regarded individuals | |
| Lawyer | Firm |
| Joseph Philip Forte | Alston & Bird LLP, New York |
| Ira Waldman | Cox Castle & Nicholson LLP, Los Angeles |
| Joshua Stein | Joshua Stein PLLC, New York |
| Ann Saegert | Haynes and Boone LLP, Texas |
| Mark Senn | Senn Visciano Canges PC, Denver |
| Richard Goldberg | Ballard Spahr LLP, Philadelphia |
| Martin Polevoy | DLA Piper LLP (US), New York |
| Klaus Minuth | Clifford Chance, Frankfurt |
| Jim Hilton | Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, Toronto |
| Simon Clark | Linklaters LLP, London |
DLA Piper LLP has 25 lawyers featured from 14 offices around the globe – the largest contingent of lawyers in this publication. The “dean of the bar” Martin Polevoy is one of the most highly regarded lawyers in the research and heads the firm’s real estate practice group in New York. His practice involves all types of real estate work including acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, financing and joint ventures. In Washington, DC, Jay Epstien is regarded as a “top-notch” lawyer and is chair of the US real estate practice and co-chair of the global real estate group. Peers regard Frederick Klein as a “talented lawyer”, and he represents a range of clients on transactions, development projects and complex real estate finance and workouts.
A total of six lawyers are selected from the Illinois office. Lee Miller is joint chief executive officer of the firm and has 30 years of experience advising clients on commercial real estate law. Portia Owen Morrison is “highly knowledgeable” and regularly advises clients on office, retail, hotel and industrial development and redevelopment, as well as on financing and investment mechanisms. Charles Edwards is regarded as a “go-to guy” for complex real estate transactions. Theodore Novak chairs the land use, development and government relations practice and has 35 years of experience in the disposition and development of all types of property. The “excellent” David Glickstein has extensive experience in a broad range of real estate transactions, which include acquisitions, financing, joint ventures, leasing and development. Howard Kane’s “highly experienced counsel” includes advising on matters regarding retail, commercial, mixed use, office and industrial estate.
Stephen Cowan is managing partner of the San Francisco office and has advised on numerous acquisitions, workouts and bankruptcies. The “brilliant” Michael Meyer is managing partner of the Los Angeles area offices and represents financial institutions, accounting and law firms in connection with major lease transactions throughout the United States. Richard Mendelson is co-chair of the real estate restructuring and loan workouts group and is referred to in the research as providing “client focused” expertise. As senior counsel to the firm, Alan Wayte provides “highly esteemed advice” and has 35 years of experience advising clients on all aspects of real estate transactions. Michael Hamilton has represented borrowers in more than 100 loan transactions valued in excess of $30 billion and has recently advised clients on the acquisition of distressed debts.
Philip Weller is managing partner of the Dallas office and peers comment on his “highly practical” advice.
The “superb” Elliot Surkin is managing partner of the Boston office and has advised significant clients such as Global Retail Investors and Ram’s Head Development, the latter being a joint venture between the Chiofaro Company and Prudential. John Rattigan Jr advises developers and investors in the acquisition, development, sale and leasing of large-scale real estate projects.
In Milan, Olaf Schmidt is head of the EMEA real estate group and peers regard him as a “smart and effective” real estate lawyer. Davide Apollo is head partner of the Italian real estate practice and specialises in banking and finance. In Brussels, François De Montpellier receives particular mention for his “responsive” real estate advice. In Vienna, the “very sharp” Oskar Winkler heads the real estate group in Austria and central and eastern Europe and advises on all aspects of real estate transactions. In Zagreb, Beata Glinska advises international investors and banks, developers and retailers in projects and transactions in Croatia.
In Johannesburg, Attie Pretorius is national practice head of the real estate group and focuses on all aspects of property law. In Moscow, Scott Antel advises multinational clients on acquisitions and the development of greenfield and brownfield manufacturing sites. In Hong Kong, the “impressive” Susheela Rivers is co-head of the real estate team for Asia and leads the hospitality and leisure group. She has 20 years of experience in property law and in the hotel sector.
A total of 14 lawyers from 10 offices are selected for inclusion from Linklaters LLP. In London, Simon Clark is one of the most highly regarded real estate lawyers in the world. He is regarded in the research as “calm, collected and very precise”. He is a specialist in the UK taxation of real estate transactions and investment structuring. Joe Conder is a “star” and is experienced in all aspects of real estate transactions. Previous global head of the real estate team, Patrick Plant, receives recommendation for his expertise in the hotel and leisure industries.
In Frankfurt, the “wonderful” Roland Fabian focuses his practice on cross-border real estate transactions and post-acquisition restructurings. Magnus Lidman is head of M&A and real estate in Sweden and specialises in acquisitions and financing and Michael Steinbrecher advises on a range of issues that include project development, purchases and building regulations.
Françoise Maigrot is head of the real estate team in Paris and advises on complex transactions that require joint real estate, corporate, financial and tax input.
Morrison & Foerster LLP increases its representation in this edition to a total of 11 inclusions. In Los Angeles, Marc Young is chair of the global real estate group and specialises in lending, loan workouts and restructurings. Thomas Fileti is head of the Los Angeles real estate group and represents a broad range of clients relating to the financing, development, operation and disposition of real estate assets.
In New York, Mark Edelstein is chair of the real estate finance and distressed real estate practices. Peers regard him as “a truly superb lawyer”.
In San Francisco, Carl J “Kim” Seneker II now serves in the capacity of senior of counsel and advises on the negotiation and documentation of commercial transactions, development, leasing and operational matters. Peter Aitelli is “efficient and to the point” and represents clients on equity and debt transactions including acquisitions and sales. The “business-focused” Craig Etlin has been extensively involved in workouts, restructurings of debt and equity and the resolution of disputes.
In Palo Alto, Philip Levine is “a valuable asset on anyone’s team” and represents REITs, private equity firms, institutional investors and real estate development companies.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has 10 lawyers listed. In Frankfurt, Friedrich Heilmann leads the real estate practice in Germany and Austria and advises on transactions and development projects. In Hamburg, peers regard Johannes Conradi as “a pleasure to work with”. He advises investors, developers, financial institutions and public-sector clients on all aspects on real estate transactions, project developments and finance. His clients have included Citigroup, Scottish Widows and Lehman Brothers. Alexander Goepfert specialises in the structuring of complex real estate transactions and development projects including financing, tax and planning aspects.
Chris Morris is head of the real estate group in London and specialises in real estate development, acquisitions and letting. The “highly regarded” Geoff Le Pard specialises in commercial property law, development and landlord and tenant law.
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP increases its representation in this edition with nine lawyers selected for their expertise. In Toronto, Thomas von Hahn is coordinator of the real estate group. He receives particular mention for his counsel to pension funds and institutional and private investors in the acquisitions and disposition of government assets throughout Canada. Jim Hilton is a “first-class real estate lawyer”. He has over 30 years of experience advising clients on joint ventures, acquisitions, developments, financing and dispositions. Silvana D’Alimonte is referred to as a “highly competent” lawyer. Her clients have included WestLB AG, CDPQ Mortgage Corporation and Legacy Hotel REIT.
In Toronto, Chris Huband has over 25 years of experience in completing commercial real estate transactions.
Clifford Chance has eight inclusions across seven countries, illustrating the global expertise the firm has to offer. In Frankfurt, Klaus Minuth is regarded as “an authority in the field” and advises international investors, project developers in large scale portfolio and sale-and-leaseback transactions. The “renowned” Tony Briam in London advises public authorities, developers, investors and tenants in the office, leisure, retail and industrial sectors. In New York, Alan Gosule is “very client-friendly” and has a general real estate finance practice with an emphasis on the tax aspects of investment vehicles including REITs and investment companies. Emil Holub is based in Prague and is involved in a number of developments and acquisitions of shopping centre projects in the Czech Republic. Henri d’Ursel heads the real estate team at the Brussels office. He specialises in high market profile transactions and developments for leading domestic and international market players.
Leading US firm Ballard Spahr LLP also fields eight inclusions. Michael Sklaroff chairs the real estate department. His practice entails advising on development, property tax, zoning and land use and serving as counsel to cultural institutions. The “fantastic” Richard Goldberg is one of the most highly regarded individuals in the world and is based in Philadelphia. His practice focuses on development, financing, leasing and acquisitions in the industry. Philip Korb co-heads the planned communities and condominiums group as well as advising on development, acquisitions and financings, taxation, leasing and work outs in the real estate industry. In Baltimore, Morton Fisher Jr is regarded as a “big name” and has been involved in every type of real estate transaction representing developers, lending institutions, department stores and other users and tenants. The “first-rate” Roger Winston is managing partner of the Bethesda office and co-partner-in-charge of the planned communities and condominiums group. Beverly Quail is based in Denver where she co-heads the real estate finance group and represents life insurance and development companies in addition to pension advisors regarding substantial real estate transactions.
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP has eight lawyers featured across Germany, Singapore and the US. In Los Angeles, “renowned” Jesse Sharf is co-chair of the real estate department and represents all types of lenders and investors and developers. Dennis Arnold “exudes excellence”. He is experienced in all areas of commercial and residential real estate and finance with an emphasis on workouts, bankruptcy and restructuring. Amy Forbes concentrates her practice on matters regarding zoning, planning, the California Environment Act and municipal law.
In New York, the “highly knowledgeable” Andrew Lance is co-head of the hotel and hospitality practice. He represents a wide range of clients that include equity funds, hedge funds, developers, REITs and developers.
Additional lawyers have also been identified as some of the best in the world. In New York, Joseph Philip Forte at Alston & Bird LLP is one of the most highly nominated individuals in the research. He provides clients with “world-class” counsel particularly in relation to the origination, workout and enforcement of portfolio and securitised mortgage loans. Joshua Stein at his own firm has closed hundreds of financing, leasing development and hotel transactions. Peers state he is “technically one of the best”.
In Texas, the “wonderful” Ann Saegert at Haynes and Boone LLP represents a wide range of clients that include institutional investors, and corporate real estate users in all aspects of real estate acquisitions and dispositions. Mark Senn of Senn Visciano Canges PC is based in Denver and is “highly respected”. His practice includes the preparation and negotiation of leases, purchase and sale contracts and loan agreements. In Los Angeles, Ira Waldman at Cox Castle & Nicholson LLP provides clients with “superb experience and sound judgement”. He represents lenders and developers in all facets of real estate law.