Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is praised by clients for its ability ‘to tackle very difficult issues simply and directly’, housing a real estate practice group which is particularly active in the office, residential, transportation, and hospitality sectors. The team assists asset management companies, redevelopment corporations, and real estate investors. In New York, the team is jointly led by Jonathan Mechanic, Laurinda Martins  and Michael Werner . Mechanic is geared to support on sale and leaseback transactions, recently impressing in a transaction that expands Weill Cornell Medicine’s campus in New York. Martins demonstrates a wealth of knowledge in mortgage refinancing and ground lease extension mandates, while Werner has built a strong track record in construction matters. Valerie Kelly warrants praise for her ‘extensive legal mind’, forming the bedrock of the firm’s Washington D.C. presence. Steven Rudgayzer recently represented RXR in its development of a new international terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport, while Patrick Dowd is extremely experienced with affordable housing transactions. David Evans joined the firm from Goodwin in March 2025, while Jennifer Yashar left the team in October.

The bulk of the workload for the versatile practitioners at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP relates to the private equity sector, as its attorneys can leverage a wealth of expertise in real estate M&A, recapitalization transactions, portfolio transfers, and joint ventures. The practice group can boast names like Blackstone Real Estate Advisors, Blue Owl Digital Infrastructure, and Rockpoint as members of its client base. In New York, Eric Feuerstein is noted for his capabilities in property dispositions, mortgage restructurings, and mezzanine loans. He leads the team alongside Jesse Sharf in Century City, who stands out for his work in residential property acquisitions, logistics transactions, and revolving credit facilities. Stuart Graiwer works alongside Sharf and recently impressed in the amendment of a joint venture between ICONIQ Capital and PMG, which related to the development of a mixed-use condominium in Miami. Farshad Morè bolsters the team’s offering in California, offering a wealth of knowledge in repurchase transactions, senior housing mandates, and commercial property sales. In 2025, David Perechcoky , Frank Mangiatordi, Jennifer Yashar, and Emily Naughton joined the firm, while Alex Meirowitz left the firm.

Greenberg Traurig is home to a ‘a large, well-rounded stable of real estate legal experts’, who leverage extensive transactional and developmental expertise in domestic and cross-border mandates. The firm’s esteemed client roster consists of market-leading private equity firms, real estate investors, student accommodation providers, and asset management companies.  In Chicago, Michael Baum stands out for his expertise in multi-tenant portfolio disposals, while Miami’s Richard Guisto  is adept at handling investments in mixed-use, healthcare, and retail projects. Practicing in New York, Stephen Rabinowitz deals with a variety of licensing applications, while Gregory Fishman, who spearheads the firm’s offering in Los Angeles, covers a wide array of matters related to joint ventures, project financing, and multi-jurisdictional student housing developments. Collectively, they supervise the real estate practice group. Miami’s Kimberly LeCompte is praised by clients for her ‘strong knowledge of the subject matter’, boasting a proven track record in the Florida market. The practice is bolstered by Craig Glorioso in Orange County, who places a strong focus on residential development mandates, and Stephen Goler in Denver, who excels in real estate M&A. The team was strengthened by the 2025 arrival of Ben Hittman and Ann Lee from Goodwin.

With Kirkland & Ellis LLP has a broad, sophisticated real estate practice that represents REIT’s, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, pension organizations, and other institutional investors in their full life cycle of real estate transactions and financing, including acquisitions, financing, portfolio management, distressed property, and restructurings. The practice group has specific expertise in representing major sponsors and asset management companies in their high-profile real estate transactions, with particular focus on digital infrastructure and data center investment, large-scale portfolio acquisitions, and M&A related real estate business transactions. In addition, the practice group also has expertise in representing credit funds, private equity sponsors, commercial banks, insurance companies, borrowers, and developers in a wide range of complex financing.  Both based in the firm’s New York office, Jonathan Schechter and Michelle Kelban serve as two of the practice group leaders, with specific expertise in representing private equity firms in the formation of joint ventures and other real estate acquisitions and financings. Based in the firm’s Chicago office, Rachel Brown is also a leader of the practice group with a sophisticated real estate financing practice, while the remaining leader of the practice group is Kevin Ehrhart, based in the firm’s Los Angeles office, who specialises in the acquisition and disposition of industrial and logistics-related assets. Christopher Hartmann, based in the firm’s New York office, has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is home to a real estate practice group that consists of ‘very knowledgeable and responsive’ attorneys who are adept at handling project financing advice, mezzanine loans, portfolio acquisitions, and preferred equity investments. The team’s client roster includes the likes of Goldman Sachs, Brookfield, Morgan Stanley an,d KKR. In New York, Daniel Reynolds chairs the practice, offering experience dealing with commercial mortgages and industrial investments. Supporting him, David Herman, who joined the firm from McDermott Will & Schulte in February 2025, excels in recapitalization transactions, joint ventures, mezzanine debt mandates, and ground leasing matters. Joseph Lanzkron is prepared to handle equity stake sales, residential property transactions, and multi-asset portfolio acquisitions. In Washington DC, Sam Limmer, another arrival from McDermott Will & Schulte,  is particularly active in the multifamily, industrial, commercial, and logistics sectors. Albert Alsaygh is proficient in facilitating purchase and leaseback agreements. Cindy Resnick also joined the team in February 2025.

DLA Piper LLP (US) is praised by clients for its ‘knowledgeable attorneys’ and the ‘business-friendly manner’ in which they operate. The team, which is led by Bryan Connolly in Boston, remains particularly active in the residential, transportation, office, and entertainment sectors. Connolly is reputed for his depth of expertise in zoning regulations, having recently assisted Hilco Redevelopment Partners and Redgate Capital Partners in obtaining approval for the L Street Station Project, a major development in South Boston. Oriana Montani works alongside Connolly and excels in construction financing matters. Boston’s Cara Nelson is adept at handling various sustainable property investments but possesses expertise that extends to joint ventures and institutional investment matters. John Sullivan and Lauren Rico are key names out of Boston and Washington DC, respectively. The team was bolstered by the arrival of Lewis Goss II and Warren Seay Jr from Arent Fox , as well as Ryan Hanofee, Todd Eisner, and Devan Popat. In 2025, Barbara Trachtenberg left the firm while Frederick Klein and Richard Klawiter retired.

Holland & Knight is home to a team of real estate practitioners that covers the full array of property mandates, ranging from mixed-use project development and portfolio acquisitions to office leasing matters and asset management transactions. The team stands out for its development expertise, advise market leading clients who are active in the logistics, residential, commercial and hospitality sectors.  In Tampa, Rick Eckhard is noted for his capabilities across the full gamut of the retail sector. He was recently involved in the development of the Ka Makani project in Hawaii. Kathryn Oberton practices in Orlando, impressing in matters pertaining to a range of asset classes, representing developers, borrowers, lenders, and lessors. New York-based Renee Covitt has a strong track record in the hotel redevelopment space. Stuart Saft and Matthew Joe are key names of note in New York and Atlanta, respectively. In 2025, J Pieratt, Kate Pennartz, Grace Winters, Kathryn Robinson, and Alysha Yagoda joined the practice group, replacing the outgoing Andrew Cornwell, Luis Figueredo, Michael Helweil, Mark Weibel, and Christopher Chuavin.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP deals with a variety of real estate mandates, representing American headquartered technological corporations, multinational real estate developers, financial institutions, and hospitality groups. The practice group is supervised by Howard Schreiber in Dallas and New York's Laurie Grasso. Grasso has a wealth of experience in the private equity space, which she incorporates in her advice to clients looking to acquire residential buildings, structure equity joint ventures, and launch property portfolios. Schreiber is a name to note for real estate financing mandates, having recently represented Atlantic Union Bank in the sale of a commercial real estate portfolio to Blackstone, worth $2bn. Working alongside Schreiber in Texas, Katy Carmical excels in due diligence matters and mandates involving commercial real estate loans. Doug Hoffman practices out of the firm’s New York office, demonstrating broad real estate expertise that covers acquisition financing, mortgage loans, hotel redevelopments, and mezzanine-financed transactions.

At Latham & Watkins, the real estate practice group benefits from ‘lots of hard-working people’ and a wealth of expertise in data centre development, joint ventures, share acquisitions, and mortgage financing mandates. The team, which is jointly spearheaded by Douglas Heitner and Rachel K. Bates, is a go-to advisor for technology corporations, hospitality groups, and real estate developers. In Chicago, Heitner is praised for his ability to ‘read people and situations extremely well’ while Bates excels in high-value acquisitions and sales, demonstrated by her involvement in the recent sale of Bridge Investment Group to Apollo Global Management. Gary Axelrod strengthens the firm’s offering in Illinois, bringing with him expertise in mortgage-backed security loans and preferred equity investments. On the West Coast, LA-based Meghan Cocci boasts a proven track record in hospitality mandates, while Hilary Shalla Strong was instrumental in Meta’s joint venture with Blue Owl Capital in the development of a hyper scale data center campus out of the firm’s Orange County office. In 2025, Michael Rechtin and Rebecca (Becky) Landau joined the firm from DLA Piper LLP (US) and Haynes and Boone, L.L.P., respectively. Michelle Kelban  and Matthew Friedrich left the firm this year.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP boasts a dynamic New York-based real estate practice, which is a reliable advisor to alternative asset management companies, sports clubs, retail corporations, public sector authorities and real estate developers. The team is particularly active in commercial, residential, retail, and logistics transactions. Harris B. Freidus is equipped to assist clients with an array of real estate financing issues, such as the issuance of unsecured senior notes but is prepared to assist developers with property conversions. Salvatore Gogliormella  has built a strong track record in real estate M&A, and was active in deals involving data centres, multi-family buildings, and convenience stores this year. Peter Fisch leverages a wealth of transactional expertise, and is active in both property leasing and purchase mandates. Matthew Dulak has established experience in cross-border joint ventures. Rounding out the teams leadership group, Ida Nowaid, a January 2025 arrival from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, is active on data centre portfolio mandates.

Polsinelli PC‘s real estate practice group has been significantly strengthened by the arrival of Barbara Trachtenberg from DLA Piper LLP (US), David Rubenstein from K&L Gates, and Cameron Weil from Seyfarth Shaw LLP, amongst others. The team is adept at handling the full gamut of real estate financing mandates, from securitisations and mortgage loans to REIT matters and bond acquisitions. The group is supervised by Kraig Kohring in Kansas City, who frequently represents investment management platforms and financial services companies. In Chicago, Eric G. Greenfield has a proven track record in the private equity space. He is regularly involved in the acquisition of industrial portfolios, the sale of commercial assets, and the refinancing of multi-family residential properties. Korb Maxwell practices in Kansas City and is particularly active in the industrial sector. He has recently advised on portfolio sales and acquisitions across an array of asset classes. In Denver, Amy Kiefer Hansen impresses in hospitality transactions, offering ongoing real estate support with hotel leases, zoning approval, and land use issues.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP is home to a ‘well-rounded and diverse group of real estate practitioners who provide a high degree of responsiveness and service’ across residential, commercial, industrial, technological, and hospitality mandates. The team, which is under the supervision of Paul Mattingly in Atlanta, has a broad real estate offering, demonstrating expertise in matters ranging from CMBS transactions and data centre leasing mandates to portfolio acquisitions and project financing. Mattingly has a proven track record in the investment management space, proving adept at modifying and extending loans. Alongside him, Kwame Benjamin is praised by clients for his ‘excellent legal advice and general counsel’. He is active in several transactions across mixed-use, office, and multifamily projects. Seattle’s Jami Balint stands out as a key practitioner involved in the recent explosion of the data centre market, while Miles Borden, who leads the New York arm of the practice group, is very experienced in public sector mandates.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP distinguishes itself through its wealth of data center development expertise, having advised on major projects in Southeast Asia, Nevada, Virginia, Arizona, and Georgia. The practice group has been known to advise market-leading names like KKR, Goldman Sachs, and Sixth Street. In New York, Sasan Mehrara spearheads the practice and is a trusted advisor to Blackstone, assisting them with portfolio acquisitions, property financing transactions, and hospitality mandates. Scott Kobak is a respected practitioner whose practices encompass the residential, commercial, and logistics sectors. A notable highlight of his year was the sale of Park Avenue Tower to SL Green. Krista Miniutti is reputed for her depth of expertise in portfolio expansion matters, majority stake purchases, and joint venture formations. Erik Quarfordt has a proven track record in the multi-family space, and recently assisted Blackstone with the sale of 2064 units in Atlanta, Georgia, to Equity Residential. Whitney Salinas is a reference in the market for REITs, project financings, recapitalization transactions and CMBS issuances.

In New York, Clifford Chance adopts an ‘incredibly responsive and thoughtful approach’ in its real estate practice group, delivering advice to investors, private equity firms, hospitality groups, and financial institutions across a wide array of asset classes. The group handles a range of mandates across commercial, residential, and industrial real estate. They have experience dealing with portfolio acquisitions, mortgage debt refinancing matters, and recapitalization transactions. Ness Cohen supervises the team, boasting expertise that extends to joint ventures, cross-border restructurings, and asset sales. Jeanne Roig-Irwin has established experience in repurchase credit transactions and REIT matters. She is reputed for her ‘deep technical excellence and highly collaborative work style’. Kris Ferranti is involved in several multi-family property acquisitions across multiple jurisdictions, while Meny Elgadeh brings with him a strong joint venture specialism. He was recently involved in the development of the first pharmaceutical cold storage facility at Wilmington International Airport.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is well-positioned to advise property developers, private equity firms, institutional lenders, and multinational corporations on the full gamut of the real estate sector. In particular, the practice has a strong reputation in the condominium market, representing clients in acquisition, financing, leasing, and development mandates. Jay Neveloff is equipped to assist clients with multi-asset development mandates, operating across a number of sectors and jurisdictions. He spearheads the practice alongside Daniel Berman, who is regularly instructed on matters involving the hospitality, retail, and residential sectors. Jonathan Canter is a recognised figure in the leasing market, having implemented condominium structures across New York. Nicole de Bare is adept at handling joint ventures, portfolio sales, affordable housing mandates, and refinancing matters. All of the aforementioned lawyers practice in New York.

Hogan Lovells US LLP demonstrates ‘broad real estate expertise’ across an array of transactional mandates, ranging from outstanding share acquisitions and portfolio sales to REIT-related matters and project financing. In Washington DC, Jeffrey Keitelman leads a team that represents real estate development companies, technology corporations, international publications, and private equity investors. Keitelman is prepared to handle leasing matters, corporate real estate transactions, and joint ventures. Steven Moskowitz is active in the firm’s New York office and is described by clients as ‘fast, sharp, extremely knowledgeable and experienced’. Alongside him, Karen Scanna is a reliable contact for private developers and is adept at advising on land use entitlements, regulatory compliance, and property M&A. Scott Campbell has built a strong practice in Denver, standing out for his expertise in real estate finance. He is capable of arranging revolving credit facilities, senior secured note offerings, and mezzanine loans.

Katten leverages significant transactional, financing, and development expertise in the real estate sector, acting as a reliable adviser for US-headquartered banks, sporting institutions, property development corporations, and multinational corporations. In New York, Louise Carroll is adept at handling a wide array of affordable housing and low-income property mandates, while Scott Vetri has built a strong track record in the office sector. He is well-equipped to assist clients with mezzanine financing matters, while in Charlotte, Frank Arado is well-versed in single asset single borrower loans. Rounding out the practice groups’ leadership team, Washington, D.C.’s Glenn Miller is active in several multi-family projects across the United States, acting for both foreign and domestic entities. Alvin Katz and Mark Simon are key names of note out of the firm’s Chicago office.

Morrison Foerster's real estate group represents a broad spectrum of real estate clients. They have specific expertise in representing a wide range of lenders, including commercial and investment banks, REIT's and debt funds, and are also particularly recognized for their expertise in complex financing arrangements, such as syndicated term and construction loans. The team also has extensive experience across commercial real estate equity and debt transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, and joint venture structuring. The real estate practice group at the firm is also recognized for its specialty in sophisticated distressed real estate matters, which range from global restructurings to single-asset and portfolio-level workouts. Based in the firm's New York office, Mark Edelstein serves as the chair of the firm's global real estate group and co-chair of the firm's distressed real estate group. Edelstein has extensive experience representing financial institutions, real estate companies, and more in their highest-profile transactions. Based in the firm's Los Angeles office, Thomas Fileti is the co-chair of the firm's U.S. real estate group and has a sophisticated practice that focuses on representing clients in the investment, financing, development, and disposition of real estate assets. Fileti is supported by Jeffrey Temple, based in the firm's New York office, who serves as the other co-chair of the firm's real estate group and is widely regarded as a specialist within the equity side of real estate transactions.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP maintains a balanced real estate practice encompassing commercial property acquisitions, data centre development, portfolio acquisitions, and regulatory due diligence. James Rishwain spearheads the team out of the firm’s Los Angeles office. James Bobotek is active in Northern Virginia and has a longstanding involvement in matters concerning residential, commercial, and retail developments. Adam Weaver  in Houston demonstrates consistent proficiency across leasing mandates, digital infrastructure transactions, and office acquisitions. Arielle Murphy is a key name of note. The practice was strengthened by the August 2025 arrival of Nellie Camerik in Miami and Pej Razavilar from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. In New York, Razavillar excels in transactions involving institutional clients, while Camerik is praised by clients for her ‘depth of technical expertise with complex commercial transactions’.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP ‘s primary real estate focus is in the financing space, demonstrating consistent proficiency across mortgage formations, mezzanine loans, revolving credit facilities, and chapter 11 bankruptcies. The team, which is jointly led by Brian Lichter and Michael Rishty in New York, is particularly well known for its data centre expertise and recently represented Cipher Mining in the structuring of a 15 year lease with Amazon Web Services. Lichter is noted for his capabilities in recapitalization transactions and portfolio acquisitions, particularly in the multifamily property space. Rishty is a reliable contact for a number of asset management companies and private investors. Brian Hirsch is well-versed in private equity transactions and recently impressed in a CMBS refinancing of a 207-property portfolio.

Eversheds Sutherland is recognised for its extensive experience in investment, financing, transactional, and development mandates, operating across a wide range of sectors and asset classes. The team is known to represent data centre corporations, real estate developers, asset management entities, and multinational hospitality groups. The real estate practice group is led by Kristina Kopf Thomas in Atlanta and is experienced at representing clients in mixed-use development mandates, ground leasing matters, and acquisition financing instructions. Thomas is regularly contacted by REITS looking for advice with joint venture negotiations and mezzanine loan facilities. Victor Haley is proficient in transactions across the retail, hospitality, and industrial sectors. In Chicago, Ruth Schoenmeyer is adept at advising on leasing mandates, property condemnation disputes, and portfolio acquisitions. Emanuel Tsourounis  joined the team from Cole Schotz P.C. in January 2025.

Husch Blackwell LLP brings with it ‘the wisdom and capabilities of a large law firm’, boasting a real estate group that represents multinational corporations, technology companies, public entities, construction companies, and private developers. The practice is led by Jonathan Giokas in St Louis and regularly appears on mandates involving data centre development, retail portfolio acquisitions, asset renovations, or lease negotiations. Kansas City-based Charles Renner, who clients describe as ‘extremely responsive’, is prepared to advise them on master development agreements, equity financing transactions, and land use matters. David Linenbroker is active in the firm's St Louis office and excels in leasing matters. Andrew Hodgson is a key name of note in Chatanooga. In 2025, Erin Hughes, Steven Katkov and Kati Orso joined the team while Adam Charlsen and Elizabeth Massaro left.

Led by Anita Famili in Los Angeles, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP houses a real estate practice group which provides ‘top-tier legal advice’ to electronics companies, publicly funded buildings, real estate developers, healthcare clients, and private investors. Famili is equipped to ‘lead on business and regulatory issues’, assisting clients with retail transactions, commercial lease issues, and property M&A deal negotiations. San Francisco-based Tara Shabahang can handle programmatic joint ventures, CMBS transactions, debt facilities, and credit negotiations. Elizabeth Levin practices alongside Famili in Los Angeles and regularly advises market-leading clients on lease terminations. She also boasts experience handling land acquisitions, logistics transactions, and industrial development projects. In Silicon Valley, Loni Gonzalez brings additional depth to the bench. In March 2025, Grace Winters joined the team from Holland & Knight.

 

Norton Rose Fulbright demonstrates a wealth of renewable energy expertise, which it uses in its real estate practice group to advise on green power initiatives, data centre development, and industrial mandates. The team has experience that extends to residential acquisitions, manufacturing plant financing, and mixed-use projects. John Jennings leads the practice from San Antonio and is equipped to advise clients on public-private partnerships, commercial real estate development matters, and portfolio acquisitions. In St Louis, Dani Davis leverages significant financing expertise and is a name to note for loan modifications and extensions. Katherine Tapley is based in Texas and is regularly instructed in matters involving mezzanine loans and senior revolving credit facilities. In 2025, William Tate joined the firm from K&L Gates, and Jarret Stephens  left the group.

Representing international financial institutions, public sector entities, institutional lenders, and property developers, O'Melveny provides its clients with the full range of transactional and developmental real estate advice. The practice group’s areas of expertise extend to loan modifications, portfolio acquisitions, data centre financing, and REIT-related matters. The practice is jointly steered by Michael Hamilton in Los Angeles and Malcolm Montgomery in New York. Hamilton is regularly instructed on matters concerning the office sector and has built a strong track record in the real estate financing space. Montgomery regularly acts for institutional lenders in connection with senior unsecured revolving credit facilities. Peter Breckheimer is also based in Los Angeles and stands out for his project redevelopment expertise, recently advising the State of Hawaii on the redevelopment of its largest sports stadium. Kyle Davis joined the team from Troutman Pepper Locke LLP in January 2025.

Sidley Austin LLP is praised as ‘extremely knowledgeable in all real estate matters’, representing developers, financial institutions, international banks, and multinational corporations. The team was strengthened by the arrival of new practice head Bonnie Neuman, who joined the firm from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP alongside Melissa Hinkle, Molly Lovedale, and Nicholas Brandfon. In New York, Neuman is adept at handling a plethora of real estate financing mandates for asset management companies, private investors and underwriters. Alongside her, Brandfon is prepared to assist clients with a wide range of property matters, ranging from commercial loans to project refinancing across the office, student housing and sports sectors. Lovedale is based in Washington DC and has built a strong track record in joint ventures, loan origination matters, and mezzanine financing structures.

Thompson Hine LLP receives mandates from mutlinational commercial entities, healthcare companies, domestic financial institutions and technology corporations. The team, which stands out for its real estate development expertise, is also equipped to handle sale and leaseback transactions, REIT matters and asset dispositions. At the helm of the practice, Cleveland’s Thomas Coyne is a name to note for development financing work in both metropolitan and rural areas. He recently represented Republic Steel, in their redevelopment of a former facility into a data centre. James Aronoff works alongside Coyne, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge in hospitality, retail and residential transactions. In Dayton, Susan Cornett is a go to contact for clients looking for advice on both equity and debt portfolio transactions. In 2025, the practice was bolstered by the arrival of Matthew Alshouse from Troutman Pepper Locke LLP and William Ticknor from DLA Piper LLP (US).

Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s real estate team is primarily based in New York and Texas and has extensive experience representing a broad range of clients across the United States and in foreign jurisdictions. The group is recognised for its strong real estate transactional practice, advising clients on all aspects of the industry, advocating for banks, private equity firms, financial institutions, public and private investment trusts, developers, contractors, landlords, tenants, governmental entities, and more. The real estate practice group has substantial expertise in representing these clients across the full spectrum of real estate matters, including commercial transactions, condemnation and land use, construction and development, distressed debt, entity formation, investment and financing, management and leasing, and workouts and restructurings. Based in the firm’s Dallas office, Paul Martin is a co-chair of the firm’s real estate group and is regarded as a specialist in representing institutional investors, lenders, and PE firms on complex acquisitions, financing, and leasing. Also based in the Dallas office, Nick Buehner serves as another key partner within the firm’s real estate group and is widely recognized for his focus on joint ventures, borrower-side financings, and ground leases within data centres and built-to-suit developments.