Attorney Intel is pleased to announce The Top 25 Real Estate and Hospitality Attorneys of 2025. Behind every real estate project or hospitality venture is a legal framework—negotiated, structured, and defended by attorneys like those recognized here. From billion-dollar hotel portfolio deals to joint ventures for large-scale development, these attorneys advise on the legal decisions that determine whether deals close, projects advance, and investments hold their value.
Many work at the fund and investor level, structuring real estate and hospitality investments for REITs, private equity sponsors, developers, and family offices. Others focus on financing, land use, or litigation tied to ownership, development rights, or distressed assets. Across transactions and disputes, these attorneys bring the technical experience and commercial judgment needed to move complex real estate and hospitality matters forward.
Among this year’s awardees is Denis Shanagher, Partner at Duane Morris, who brings over four decades of experience advising clients on complex real estate development and construction matters, including contract negotiation, entitlements, association management, and dispute resolution involving construction defects, easements, title, and the approval process. Tracy Plott, Partner at Akerman, represents lenders and developers in commercial real estate and financing transactions, with experience spanning asset-based financing, joint ventures, development, leasing, and the acquisition of commercial, industrial, health care, and recreational properties. Bradford Lavender, Partner at Haynes Boone and co-chair of the firm’s National Real Estate Practice Group, has led high-value real estate transactions across asset classes, including joint ventures, ground leases, and large-scale hospitality deals, such as the $1 billion acquisition of a 52-hotel portfolio by a publicly-traded REIT.
This year’s awardees were selected through a careful review of their career track records, industry experience, and the impact of their work across real estate and hospitality. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Real Estate and Hospitality Attorneys of 2025.
1. Minta Kay
Partner, Goodwin Procter
Minta Kay is a Partner in Goodwin Procter's Business Law department and Real Estate Industry group. For more than 35 years, Kay has represented institutional investors, tax-exempts, real estate funds, and owner/operators in connection with all aspects of their real estate investment transactions. She regularly advises clients on joint venture formation and restructuring, senior and junior debt origination, acquisition and restructuring, portfolio transactions, development transactions, and property sales and acquisitions. In the past five years, she has closed over 55 real estate transactions totaling in excess of $12.5 billion.
Kay founded and is co-leader of Goodwin’s PropTech Initiative, which supports companies at all stages, real estate investors and owners, VCs, and other parties working at the intersection of real estate and technology. As the leader of Goodwin's Prop Tech Initiative, Kay is at the forefront of engaging with constituencies who are analyzing and deploying technology to impact the built environment, whether through development, adoption, consolidation, or growth. She and the proptech team are able to blend technological and real estate goals and norms across two industries that have not historically been well integrated.
Kay formerly served on Goodwin's Executive Committee, as chair of its Attorney Review Committee, and as a member of the Partnership and Allocations Committees. Presently, she serves as a member of the Women's Initiative and the firm's Amplify program, focused on the advancement of diverse attorneys and attorneys of color. Admitted to practice in New York and Massachusetts, Kay splits her time between the firm’s New York and Boston offices. Previously, Kay worked with Debevoise & Plimpton as an associate. She earned her JD from Columbia Law School and a bachelor's degree in political science from Barnard College.
2. Gregg Noel
Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Gregg Noel is a Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. With 35 years of experience, Noel is widely sought by U.S. and international issuers, investment banks, and financial institutions for sophisticated guidance on complex capital markets transactions. Annually, he is involved in numerous matters totaling in the tens of billions of dollars.
As co-head of the firm’s real estate investment trusts (REIT) practice, Noel regularly represents REITs in connection with capital market transactions, including initial public offerings and general corporate matters. He handled one of the largest-ever REIT IPOs, a $1.6 billion offering by Douglas Emmett Inc., and has represented numerous other REITs, including Westfield Corporation and DigitalBridge, Inc. His clients span a broad range of industries, including real estate, hospitality, health care, and financial services.
He also has an active practice representing special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), with his team advising on approximately 350 SPAC IPOs since 2006. Among many other groundbreaking SPAC deals, Noel handled the $690 million IPO for Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp., as well as Social Capital’s subsequent IPOs. Noel graduated from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, with a JD and from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor's degree in finance.
3. Christopher Dlutowski
Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Christopher Dlutowski is a Partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, a firm operating from multiple offices in key centers of commerce, law, and government across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The firm serves a broad range of clients, from global Fortune 100 companies to startups. With a team of more than 2,200 lawyers and legal professionals, Morgan Lewis delivers comprehensive corporate, transactional, litigation, and regulatory services across major industries, including energy, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, retail and e-commerce, sports, technology, and transportation.
Dlutowski has represented investors, managers, and other market participants in a wide array of investment matters for over 25 years. Dlutowski represents institutional investors—including public and private pension plans, family offices, sovereign wealth funds, university endowments, foundations, and funds of funds—in their investments in private equity, venture capital, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, secondary, continuation, hedge, hybrid, and other private funds, funds of funds, managed accounts, co-investments, and direct investments, with a special focus on customized investment products, including funds of one, captive funds, and strategic partnerships, in all asset classes. He also advises institutional investors on governance, compliance, risk, and dispute resolution issues.
Dlutowski first got his start in 2001 as a VP and corporate counsel at Prudential Financial, Inc., his most recent position prior to joining Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. He graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center with a JD in international relations, from the University of Cambridge with a master’s degree in international relations, and from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in European history.
4. Allison Driscoll
Partner, Holland & Knight
Allison Driscoll is a Partner at Holland & Knight, having first joined the firm in 2018. Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 2,200 lawyers and professionals across 34 offices worldwide. The firm delivers legal services in litigation, business, real estate, and governmental law. Driscoll focuses her practice on representing financial institutions and commercial real estate investors in a wide array of complex commercial real estate finance transactions, including originating loans for inclusion in securitizations (CMBS, CLO), construction, acquisition, permanent and bridge loans, loan syndications, participations and sales, mezzanine loans, and preferred equity transactions.
Driscoll has substantial experience structuring and closing real estate finance transactions involving subordinate debt, preferred equity, ground leases, tenant-in-common ownership structures, condominiums, and municipal tax incentive programs. Driscoll also has experience representing real estate owners and investors in debt and equity restructurings and workouts, corporate financing transactions, joint venture transactions, debt purchases, and property acquisitions and dispositions.
As part of her pro bono practice, Driscoll participates in the Special Education Surrogate Parent Program through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Previously, Driscoll was a partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP and, before that, an attorney at Mintz Levin. Earlier in her career, she worked with The Brookings Institution as a research assistant. Driscoll earned a JD in law from Harvard Law School and a bachelor's degree in economics from Wesleyan University.
5. Patrick Michel
Partner, Sidley Austin
Patrick Michel is a Partner at Sidley Austin. With nearly 30 years of experience, Michel has advised investment managers and advisers of a variety of investment funds, including real estate funds, private equity funds, and hedge funds, as well as on commercial and regulatory issues. He has represented limited partners in connection with their investments in real estate funds, private equity funds, and hedge funds. He also has experience in co-investment transactions, secondary transactions, private equity investments, finance transactions, and real estate acquisitions.
Michel regularly acts as counsel to corporate, tax-exempt, pension fund, and sovereign institutional investors in connection with their investments in investment vehicles and co-investments with sponsors. He also has experience in structuring and advising emerging managers and start-up investment funds. Michel’s practice includes transactions involving real estate finance, joint ventures, and acquisitions and dispositions. His clients include alternative investment funds, financial institutions, and institutional investors.
Before joining Sidley Austin, Michel served as counsel at Kaye Scholer LLP and, before that, as an associate at Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP. Earlier in his career, he worked with Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP as an associate. Michel graduated from the New York University School of Law with a JD and from Northeastern University with a bachelor's degree in engineering.
6. Marisa Bocci
Partner, K&L Gates
Marisa Bocci is a Partner at K&L Gates. Bocci advises asset managers and institutional investors on direct investing, co-investments, joint ventures, and other investment strategies relating to real assets in a variety of sectors. She also advises both corporate and nonprofit clients on their real estate needs, helping them assemble and manage their real estate facilities. Bocci works on a range of real estate transactional matters, including purchase and sale agreements, joint venture arrangements, property management, and leasing. Several of her matters include the acquisition or disposition of real estate portfolios, often involving multiple jurisdictions, whether in multiple serial transactions or in a single large-scale multi-property transaction.
In her commercial real estate practice, Bocci advises universities, churches, hospitals, and arts organizations on real estate purchase, sale, leasing, construction, financing, and joint venture matters. In the business sector, she assists national and international companies with their real estate portfolio needs, including the purchase and development of greenfield manufacturing, R&D, corporate campus, and warehouse facilities.
Bocci's hospitality industry experience includes the purchase and sale of hotel properties, particularly in the luxury or full-service sector. She also works on matters relating to the golf and restaurant sectors, including negotiation of restaurant operation agreements with high-profile chefs. In addition to transactional work, she also advises on asset management issues relating to operations and handles negotiations with management companies, procurement services, and consulting and co-branding arrangements.
Bocci first got her start in 1996 as a sales associate at Suntree Inc., Realtors. From there, she went on to Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, before eventually rising to in-house counsel at Cascade Asset Management, her most recent position prior to joining K&L Gates. Bocci graduated from the Cardozo School of Law with a JD and from Hampshire College with a bachelor's degree.
7. Denis Shanagher
Partner, Duane Morris
Denis Shanagher is a Partner at Duane Morris. Shanagher has more than 42 years of experience in representing clients in complex real estate and construction matters, including contracts, entitlements, and dispute resolution. He represents a diverse group of clients in all aspects of the real estate development and construction process, including owners, developers, contractors, and ownership associations.
Shanagher’s expertise spans contract drafting and negotiation, association management, and disputes regarding complex construction defects, design, delay, easements, title, and various aspects of the approval process. He also has significant experience with insurance coverage, including advice and litigation for both policyholders and insurers in the real estate and construction context, and general commercial contract disputes. He has also provided counsel in the areas of professional negligence, emphasizing real estate agents, attorneys, accountants, and insurance brokers.
Before joining Duane Morris, Shanagher was a partner at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP and, before that, a partner at Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps LLP. Earlier in his career, he worked with Preuss Walker & Shanagher as a partner. Shanagher holds a JD from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and a bachelor’s degree in economics and English from Stanford University.
Denis Shanagher's Insight:
“It is an honor to be a member of this group. We are seeing significant turmoil in the real estate industry this year. While many projects and transactions are suffering, other investors and principals are seeing unique opportunities.”
8. Tracy Plott
Partner, Akerman
Tracy Plott is a Partner at Akerman. With over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate and financing transactions, Plott has significant experience in asset-based financing, restructuring of debt obligations, bond financing, joint ventures, syndications of loans, and limited partnerships. Her lending practice encompasses construction, permanent and mezzanine lending, asset-based financing, and synthetic leases.
Plott also represents corporate and other clients in the acquisition, development, leasing, and disposition of real property. Her acquisition and development practice includes representing clients involved in commercial, industrial, health care, and recreational communities. She is experienced in forming joint ventures for the acquisition, development, and management of real property.
In addition, Plott represents lending clients in non-judicial foreclosures and confirmations of such non-judicial foreclosures. She provides support for wealth management and fiduciary litigation relating to real estate matters, including financing, acquisition, and disposition of property.
Plott first got her start in 1995 as an attorney at Paul Hastings. From there, she went on to Jones Day, before eventually rising to partner at Rogers & Hardin LLP, her most recent position prior to joining Akerman. Plott graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law with a JD and from Davidson College with a bachelor's degree in economics.
Tracy Plott's Insight
“I am honored to be recognized as a finalist for The Top Real Estate and Hospitality Attorneys of 2025. This acknowledgement fuels my passion for collaborating with clients on exciting projects that drive innovation in our vibrant industry. I look forward to contributing to groundbreaking developments and fostering partnerships that shape city skylines and communities.”
9. Uri Itkin
Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Uri Itkin is a Partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. He is a first-chair litigator and trial lawyer with extensive experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts, arbitrations, bankruptcies, and trust instruction proceedings. He advises on disputes related to private credit, structured finance, complex financial products, special situations, distressed corporate debt, and commercial real estate. He also represents investment funds, private equity firms, venture capital firms, real estate developers and investors, investment banks, and family offices.
Uri is a nationally recognized complex commercial litigator, trial lawyer, and advisor in Akin’s investment funds litigation practice. He regularly represents investment funds in disputes related to private and structured credit, private equity, venture capital, real estate, energy, and biotechnology. Uri is equally adept in the courtroom and out-of-court workouts. He represents clients on both sides of the “v.” in state and federal courts, arbitrations, and trust instruction proceedings across the country.
Uri maintains an active pro bono practice and is fluent in Russian. His representative work includes representing an investor in trust instruction proceedings in New York and California concerning the treatment of hundreds of millions of dollars in proceeds kept in dozens of residential mortgage-backed security (RMBS) deals, representing an investor in a trust instruction proceeding in New York concerning the management of proceeds from student loan collateral securing over $1 billion of auction rate notes, representing affiliates of a bankrupt collateralized loan obligations (CLO) manager in New York federal court in connection with disputes arising from the hold-back of funds following redemption of several CLOs, and representing lenders in Utah federal court in a dispute arising from the default of a $42 million EB-5 construction loan and guaranty issued in connection with the development of Powder Mountain. He also advises the family office in joint venture and financing matters in connection with the development of a condominium building in Manhattan.
10. Chris Kang
Partner, Perkins Coie
Chris Kang is a Partner at Perkins Coie, having first joined the firm in 2017 as an associate. In his real estate and land use practice, Kang advises national and regional clients in all aspects of real estate transactions, including leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, and development. Kang's work in commercial real estate includes retail, office, multifamily, mixed-use, industrial and warehouse, and renewable energy projects.
For real estate transactions, Kang's work includes drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, reviewing title, zoning, and other due diligence items, drafting addendums, waivers, and affidavits, managing closing documents, and assisting with closings. He also represents major landlords and tenants in drafting and negotiating commercial leases. He has spearheaded lease negotiations for clients ranging from major shopping centers, Class A office buildings, warehouse and distribution centers, and corporate headquarters for companies such as Puget Sound Energy, Coinstar, Ionna, and Perkins Coie LLP.
Additionally, Kang has experience with land use matters that includes drafting and negotiating renewable energy leases, easements, and related project documents, along with managing due diligence reviews for major development projects. In his business transaction work, Kang represents clients involved in asset sales, stock sales and mergers, licensing agreements, service agreements, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and other commercial matters.
Previously, Kang was an associate attorney at Inslee Best Doezie & Ryder, P.S. and, before that, an associate attorney at Young deNormandie, P.C. Earlier in his career, he worked with SLP & Associates, PLLC as an associate attorney. Kang earned a JD from the University of Washington School of Law and a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.
11. Jeffrey O'Neale
Partner, Mayer Brown
Jeffrey O’Neale is a Partner in Mayer Brown’s Real Estate Markets practice and a member of the firm’s Management Advisory Board. Mayer Brown is a leading international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in important and complex transactions and disputes.
O’Neale represents commercial banks, institutional investors, investment banks, life insurance companies, debt funds and servicers in a variety of commercial real estate lending transactions including bridge loans, construction loans, conduit loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments, loan participations and assumptions, loan sales and acquisitions, loan modifications and restructurings, repurchase (warehouse) facilities and loan-on-loan transactions. He has extensive experience representing lenders and servicers through all stages of the commercial real estate lending cycle, with a particular focus on the servicing and administration of repurchase (warehouse) facilities and the restructuring of non-performing commercial mortgage loans.
Before joining Mayer Brown, O'Neale was a partner at Alston & Bird and, before that, an associate at Dechert LLP. Earlier in his career, he worked with Coro Center for Civic Leadership as a regional institutes manager. O’Neale earned his JD from the University of Michigan Law School and his bachelor’s degree in international finance and marketing from the University of Miami.
12. Bradford Lavender
Partner, Haynes Boone
Brad Lavender is a Partner at Haynes Boone, co-chair of the National Real Estate Practice Group, and a member of the firm’s board of directors. Lavender has almost 30 years of experience representing clients in all areas of real estate and real estate finance, including joint ventures, sales, acquisitions, ground leases, loan and preferred equity originations, restructurings, development transactions, and space leases. Lavender’s clients include private equity funds, publicly-traded REITs, closely-held real estate companies, foreign investors, and local developers.
In recent years, Lavender has represented investors and operators in numerous joint venture transactions involving over $4 billion of invested equity in various asset classes, including industrial, hospitality, multifamily, office, retail, senior living, and brownfield redevelopment, a publicly-traded REIT in the acquisition of a portfolio of 52 hotels for over $1 billion, lenders in the restructuring of over $2 billion of mortgage and mezzanine loans, the majority equity investor in the acquisition of a 1,300 acre redevelopment site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, developers and ground lessors in numerous development-oriented ground lease transactions, and the State of New York in its purchase of the James A. Farley Post Office Building in Manhattan, now the Moynihan Station Train Hall.
Lavender first got his start in 1994 as an associate at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, before eventually rising to partner and deputy leader of the national real estate department at Bryan Cave, his most recent position prior to joining Haynes Boone. Lavender graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School with a JD and from the University at Albany with a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance.
13. Manleen Singh
Partner, Robins Kaplan
Manleen Singh is a Partner at Robins Kaplan, having first joined the company in 2012 as a legal associate. A versatile attorney, Singh is committed to understanding the business of her clients and helping them achieve their goals. She advises businesses of all sizes on all facets of corporate transactional law, including commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, international transactions, contract drafting and negotiation, corporate formation and governance, investor-side venture capital, and general business counseling.
Singh has over a decade of experience creating success in commercial real estate transactions, including managing multimillion-dollar arrangements. She excels in this intricate area of practice that touches companies of all sizes and industries. Singh has represented clients in an expansive variety of fields with proven experience in acquisitions and dispositions, commercial leasing, and permitting.
Leaning on her years of litigation experience, she strategically negotiates and drafts advantageous contractual provisions for her clients. Singh represents clients in a variety of sectors, including retail, food and beverage, and manufacturing. She carefully manages multimillion-dollar dispositions and acquisitions, commercial real estate transactions, general commercial transactions, and corporate governance issues to put her clients and their businesses in the best position to be successful.
Previously, Singh was a litigation associate at Kaye Scholer LLP. She earned a JD from New York Law School and a bachelor's degree in English and psychology from Boston University.
Manleen Singh's Insight
"Being a real estate lawyer isn't just about drafting purchase agreements or closing deals—it's about understanding the story behind each transaction and helping clients achieve their property goals with clarity and confidence."
14. Matthew Letten
Partner, Day Pitney
Matthew Letten is a Partner at Day Pitney. As a litigator, Letten represents clients in complex business and real estate disputes in federal and state courts and arbitrations. He has substantial experience providing pre-litigation counseling and representing both plaintiffs and defendants in disputes involving allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, unfair trade practices, and land use issues. Letten has advised clients in many industries, including financial services, aerospace, manufacturing, real estate, and healthcare. Clients rely on Letten to handle novel and unsettled legal issues. He has briefed numerous appeals in state and federal appellate courts and argued appeals in both the Second Circuit and the Connecticut Supreme Court.
In addition to his work as a litigator, Letten also helps clients respond to and resolve criminal, civil, and regulatory investigations brought by federal and state agencies. He regularly defends businesses in government investigations and related litigation involving alleged violations of the False Claims Act (FCA).
Letten previously served as a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas L. Ambro of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the Honorable Paul S. Diamond of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Before joining Day Pitney, Letten practiced law for several years at an international law firm in Washington, D.C. Letten graduated from Yale Law School with a JD and from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy.
Matthew Letten's Insight
“I have been lucky to work on a wide range of real estate matters over the years, including investor disputes, commercial foreclosures, commercial landlord-tenant issues, and easement disputes. My goal is to help the client craft an effective pre-litigation or litigation strategy that aligns with their business goals and protects their property interests.”
15. Steven Cronig
Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson
For over four decades, Steven Carlyle Cronig has represented domestic and international developers, borrowers, and commercial and private lenders in a wide variety of commercial real estate development transactions.
Steve represents developers and international investors on matters involving acquisitions and dispositions of property, creation of development entities such as joint ventures, limited partnerships, and REITs, representation of family offices, preparation of condominium and fractional/timeshare declarations and disclosure documents, plats, subdivision covenants, and homeowners' association documents and commercial leasing. He also represents borrowers in closing construction and commercial loans, preparation of construction contracts, lien administration, and closing sales to development end purchasers.
He advises commercial and private lenders in connection with the structuring of new asset-secured loans, construction financing, mezzanine financing, the purchase of existing portfolio assets from other lenders, and participation agreements among consortia of lenders. Steve also counsels clients on the administration of lender portfolio assets, including negotiation and preparation of initial loan commitment letters, the review of title on behalf of lenders and purchasers, the preparation of loan documentation and the closing of loan transactions, lender due diligence activities, construction loan administration, and loan workout and disposition activities.
Steve co-chaired the firm's annual Sea Level Rise and Climate Change Conference from 2017 to 2020. Prior to joining Hinshaw, he was a partner at a national firm in Miami.
16. Mark Maltz
Partner, Davis & Gilbert
Mark Maltz is a Partner at Davis & Gilbert and co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice. Maltz advises on all facets of complex commercial leasing arrangements, acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and construction-related agreements. Representing building owners and tenants in the financial services, technology, professional services, private equity, and communication industries, Maltz counsels Fortune 100 companies, some of the country’s biggest law firms, and single-office tenants. He also represents high-net-worth individuals in residential property transactions.
Maltz handles some of the largest lease transactions in New York and throughout the nation, structuring deals and negotiating terms that best position his clients for long-term success. His experience extends to leading-edge co-location and space-sharing member agreements, big-box retail leases, and headquarters office leases for industry leaders. Maltz is well-versed in leasing intricacies and the business aspects of real estate deals, from pre-construction through development in connection with new construction deals, and at long-established buildings.
Maltz first got his start in 1988 as an associate at Dreyer & Traub, his most recent position prior to joining Davis & Gilbert. He graduated from the American University Washington College of Law with a JD and from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in history.
Mark Maltz's Insight
“I am a practical and strong negotiator, but with a positive, amicable approach to obtain the best results and a win-win situation. By understanding my client’s needs and not negotiating simply to win the most points, I get better and quicker results for my clients, with both sides walking away from the transaction feeling good about the experience and the ensuing relationship.”
17. Kevin Vick
Partner, UB Greensfelder
Kevin Vick is a Partner at UB Greensfelder, having first joined the firm in 1988. Vick represents clients across the country in the acquisition, development, construction, financing, leasing, and sale of real estate. He also assists banks in documenting loans for real estate developments and other credit facilities, including an active local counsel practice for lenders seeking legal opinions in connection with loans secured by Illinois and Missouri real estate.
Vick’s recent projects include the development of a mixed use retail/professional center anchored by a state of the art recreational complex including multiple ice rinks, an aquatic center and full-service athletic training facilities, the redevelopment of a retail shopping center including leasing and the coordination of complex tenant use exclusives, creation of outlots and a complicated REA, financing for the construction of a new large office building, long-term ground leasing for a mixed-use restaurant, hotel/convention center and C-Store/fuel station development and an office building redevelopment project.
Vick’s project experience has also involved telecommunications towers, wind turbines, aboveground and underground warehouses, barge sales and financing, golf courses, churches and shrines, condominiums and residential subdivisions, marine docks and slip leasing, wetlands reserve program easements and mitigation banking, agricultural leasing, parking garages, industrial facilities, and various types of loans and credit facilities. He holds a JD and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis.
18. Kahlil Yearwood
Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Kahlil Yearwood is a Partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, a global law firm that advises clients on high-impact transactions and complex disputes. The firm’s teams are known for developing and executing innovative legal strategies, each one carefully tailored to the specific demands of the matter at hand. With more than 2,000 lawyers across 21 offices and a broad range of practice areas, Gibson Dunn operates as a cohesive, integrated organization. Through deep, collaborative relationships, Gibson Dunn supports clients in navigating difficult challenges and thriving amid uncertainty.
Yearwood brings two decades of experience to his current role. He serves as a member of the firm’s Real Estate Department, with a practice focused on commercial real estate finance and capital markets. He is also a member of the firm’s Executive and Diversity Committees. Yearwood represents various portfolio lenders, including specialty finance companies, life insurance companies, hedge funds, and banks, debt fund managers, and private equity firms in transactions involving loan origination, loan purchases and sales, subordinate debt financing and acquisition, post-closing modifications, workouts, restructurings, foreclosures, and other exercises of remedies.
Before joining Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Yearwood was a partner at Dechert LLP and, before that, a VP at Precept Corporation. Yearwood graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a JD and a bachelor's degree in political science.
19. Marshall Pasternack
Partner, Bilzin Sumberg
Marshall Pasternack is a Partner at Bilzin Sumberg. Bilzin Sumberg is a commercial law firm based in Florida. The firm has extensive experience in the areas of corporate and securities, antitrust, trial and litigation, real estate, government relations, environmental law, public-private partnerships, private wealth planning, tax, construction law, CMBS, restructuring and finance, and joint ventures.
Pasternack has a highly sophisticated corporate and securities practice with extensive transactional experience in real estate limited partnerships, joint ventures, and similar transactions. He has represented numerous sponsors in such transactions as well as numerous institutional investors. Having been on both sides of these transactions, he strives to create value for his clients by having a unique and balanced view, one that allows his clients to reach their objectives more effectively and efficiently. He also routinely handles sophisticated mergers and acquisitions.
Pasternack first got his start in 1980 as a CPA at Arthur Young, before eventually rising to partner at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, his most recent position prior to joining Bilzin Sumberg. Pasternack graduated from the New York University School of Law with an LLM in taxation and from the University of Florida with a JD in law and a bachelor's degree in accounting.
Marshall Pasternack's Insight
“For the past 30 years, I have had the privilege of focusing my career in an area I genuinely enjoy: structuring and negotiating joint ventures, primarily in the real estate and hospitality arenas. This space not only allows for strategic thinking, but also invites creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving at the highest level. I see the most successful joint venture transactions as true partnerships, among principals and the attorneys guiding them. I thrive on connecting with people, building trust, and facilitating productive, enduring relationships. It is especially rewarding that many attorneys I once negotiated across the table from now refer matters to me, which I believe is a testament to the professionalism and integrity I seek to bring to every deal.”
20. Damian Conforti
Partner, Mandelbaum Barrett
Damian Conforti is a Partner at Mandelbaum Barrett, having first joined the firm in 2017. Conforti brings the unique perspective of a former prosecutor and seasoned trial lawyer to his role as outside general counsel to various closely held and publicly traded companies. He seamlessly blends dispute resolution skills with boardroom savvy to deliver real-time solutions to company leaders tasked with addressing critical corporate governance issues.
Drawing from over 20 years of experience litigating all types of complex commercial and white collar criminal matters, he leads teams of attorneys from the law firm’s corporate, real estate, litigation, banking, and estate planning practice groups to handle any operational or legal need a business may have, including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, internal investigations, unlawful employment practice allegations, shareholder derivative actions, and oppressed shareholder claims.
Conforti is co-chair of Mandelbaum Barrett’s White Collar and Criminal Defense Practice Group and co-chair of the firm’s Hospitality Law Services Practice Group. Previously, Conforti was a partner at Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP and, before that, a director at Podvey, Meanor, Catenacci, Hildner, Cocoziello & Chattman, P.C. Earlier in his career, he worked with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office as an assistant prosecutor. Conforti earned a JD from the Seton Hall University School of Law and a bachelor's degree in political science, Spanish, and pre-law from Boston College.
Damian Conforti's Insight
“It’s a privilege to work with the people who spend their careers creating unforgettable experiences for others. Whether it’s a restaurateur opening their first concept or a hotelier managing a legacy brand, hospitality professionals bring vision, grit, and an unwavering commitment to service. Helping them navigate legal challenges isn’t just about contracts and compliance—it’s about preserving the passion and purpose that fuel this dynamic industry. Our team understands the unique pressures hospitality businesses face, from labor and financing, to ever-changing regulations. We approach every matter with respect for the hustle behind the hospitality, knowing that behind every great guest experience is an operator juggling countless moving parts. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a trusted partner to those who make others feel at home.”
21. Rohit Kapuria
Partner, Saul Ewing
Rohit Kapuria is a Partner at Saul Ewing LLP and serves as Vice Chair of the firm’s Global Immigration & Foreign Investment Practice. His practice focuses on general corporate and securities law, representing a large number of private companies in matters involving mergers and acquisitions, private securities offerings related to real estate financing matters, SEC disclosure, and corporate governance. He also maintains, in particular, significant experience handling private offerings under the EB-5 financing program. As of the date hereof, Rohit has structured over $7.1 billion worth of EB-5 related financing transactions, of which 40% related to hospitality transactions.
Rohit also represents a large number of real estate developers, private equity lenders, commercial banks, EB-5 specific lenders, and even foreign brokers. In addition, Rohit serves as Vice Chair of the firm’s Opportunity Zones and Qualified Opportunity Funds Practice, where he addresses complex tax, real estate, corporate, and securities issues related to investments in designated Opportunity Zones. Rohit earned his JD from Lewis & Clark Law School, his bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, and a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco.
22. Chris Chen
Partner, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
Chris Chen is a Partner at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth. Stradling is a leading business law firm with 115 lawyers providing experienced counsel in critical transactions and disputes from 12 offices across California, Nevada, Texas, and Washington. By focusing on its clients’ core needs, Stradling’s size, structure, and culture provide big-firm counsel with small-firm flexibility and responsiveness. The Stradling teams work together to provide clients with innovative solutions to their corporate and securities, finance, private equity, litigation, M&A, employment, tax, venture capital, intellectual property, securities litigation and enforcement, white collar, bankruptcy, environmental, real estate, and public finance needs.
As a Partner in the firm’s Corporate and Securities practice group, Chen focuses his practice in the areas of corporate and securities, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, and real estate transactions. Chen is experienced in representing entrepreneurs, private businesses, publicly traded corporations, and public agencies in various transactional and compliance matters, and frequently serves as the outside general counsel to his clients.
Prior to joining Stradling, Chen was a partner at a boutique firm founded by former Big Law attorneys and was the general counsel, senior vice president, and corporate secretary of an international satellite communications company based in Southern California. He began his legal career in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PC. Chen graduated from Cornell Law School with a JD and from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree in biology.
Chris Chen's Insight
“My career started on the traditional BigLaw path, beginning as a first-year associate at the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini, focused on startup formation and organization, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and public company reporting and compliance, in the high technology sector. Since then, and now a partner at Stradling, with additional experience working across different industries, I have gained much experience advising various public entities with substantial real estate assets and other owners and investors of real property, including publicly traded REITs, real estate developers and syndications. My clients have found that my experience and expertise in the intersection of real estate/hospitality and corporate transactional work to be helpful and beneficial for their business goals and needs. My practice in real estate and hospitality has been very rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to help companies and investors in this area.”
23. Thomas Ayala
Partner, Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg
Thomas Ayala is a Partner at Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg. Ayala focuses his practice on complex civil litigation with an emphasis on commercial disputes, corporate litigation, class actions, real estate litigation, and tort litigation. He has served as lead trial counsel in corporate and commercial litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and federal court. He has successfully appeared as lead counsel in federal and state courts throughout the country, presented and cross-examined fact and expert witnesses in various disciplines and industries, and negotiated settlements in business-to-business disputes, consumer-to-business disputes, as well as in multidistrict litigation (MDL proceedings) and serial litigation.
Ayala also works with businesses in the creation and enforcement of compliance programs, due diligence related to potential acquisitions, contracting, warranty and labeling counseling, and internal investigations and responses to subpoenas, site audits, and investigations by various federal and state government agencies. He has represented corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and their shareholders, officers, as well as state attorneys’ general and individuals.
Ayala first got his start in 2004 as a law clerk to the Honorable Eduardo C. Robreno in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. From there, he went on to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, before eventually rising to director at Grant & Eisenhofer P.A., his most recent position prior to joining Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg. Ayala graduated from the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law with a JD and from Nova Southeastern University with a bachelor's degree in legal studies.
Thomas Ayala's Insight
“I’m proud to be part of Klehr Harrison, where I’m privileged to work alongside exceptionally smart, collegial colleagues. We have premier groups focusing on real estate, corporate and securities, bankruptcy, and dispute resolution. Some of our clients lead the most innovative real estate projects in the country. Their vision and sophistication continually inspire us. As a firm, our progress is built on collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence.”
24. Joshua Brandsdorfer
Partner, Berger Singerman
Josh Brandsdorfer is a Partner at Berger Singerman LLP, based in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office. His practice focuses on complex commercial real estate and finance transactions, where he represents a wide range of clients, including institutional lenders, private and public real estate investment firms, family offices, joint venture groups, and real estate developers. Josh advises on the structuring and execution of acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, development projects, commercial leasing, and senior, mezzanine, and equity financings across various asset classes.
Over the course of his career, Josh has counseled on more than $1 billion in real estate transactions across Florida and nationally, with a strong emphasis on the South Florida market, including significant deals in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Berger Singerman LLP, Florida’s business law firm, is home to more than 100 attorneys across offices in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. The firm offers deep experience across a wide range of commercial legal areas, and has been consistently recognized for excellence in client service, results, and firm culture by Chambers USA, U.S. News – Best Law Firms, and the Daily Business Review.
Joshua Brandsdorfer's Insight
“There is something very special about real estate law – namely, the fact that we are talking about tangible assets. I can see the product of my work when I drive past an apartment complex or stop at a shopping center that, as a lawyer with a lead role in the transaction, I helped to build, sell or finance. The work is sophisticated, and deadline pressures are ever-present, but it is very satisfying to know that the great clients we work with all share the same vision to participate in the development of new commercial projects or much-needed redevelopment initiatives across asset types for the communities in which they are located.”
25. Matthew Sullivan
Partner, Messner Reeves
Matt Sullivan is a Partner and one of the leaders of the Messner Reeves Real Estate practice group. He specializes in handling the Medical, Restaurant and Hospitality Practice Groups, Corporate, and Banking and Financial Groups. Sullivan’s real estate practice covers a vast spectrum of transactions, including leasing, acquisitions, and dispositions. He navigates complex legal frameworks, conducts thorough title reviews, and negotiates favorable outcomes for his clients. Sullivan’s expertise extends to workout and recovery agreements, foreclosure agreements, financing real estate, and proficient handling of other related contracts and legal documents. He is renowned for his skill in negotiating with landlords to resolve commercial lease disputes.
In addition to Sullivan’s extensive real estate practice, he also works in the restaurant and hospitality industry. He provides comprehensive legal representation and assists clients in all hotel and restaurant management facets. His expertise covers liquor licensing, acquisition, partnership and entity structuring, sale, financial structuring, and nationwide development. With a deep understanding of franchise agreements, operating leases, and financing for hotel and restaurant acquisitions, Sullivan ensures his clients’ success while navigating the industry’s complexities.
Before joining Messner Reeves, Sullivan served as corporate counsel for Red Robin International, Inc., where he gained expertise in real estate and asset management. Sullivan holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Gonzaga University and an MBA from the University of Colorado, Denver. He earned his JD at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Matthew Sullivan's Insight
"After 17 years as a real estate attorney, I've learned that success in this field isn’t just about contracts, easements, and surveys—it's about understanding people, managing complex negotiations, and finding solutions where others see obstacles.”
