Overview
The complexities of investing in commercial real estate — both directly and through joint ventures — vary greatly by market and asset type, placing a premium on legal acumen and local knowledge. Katten's Real Estate Acquisitions, Dispositions and Joint Ventures group represents domestic and non-US private equity funds, real estate investment trusts, insurance companies, investment advisors, public and private companies, and pension funds, as well as developers, managers and operators of real estate, in virtually every asset class, investing in every major US real estate market. The breadth and depth of our practice gives us the ability to respond decisively to opportunities on both the national and local levels.
Acquisitions and dispositions
We handle transactions of every type and size in each market. Our clients — real estate owners, developers and investors of every kind — prize our deep insight into markets and our practical approach to transactions. And since we are also leaders in the real estate debt markets, representing both lenders and borrowers, our attorneys bring a deep knowledge of financing to every transaction. Our clients rely on us to understand their business models and to structure deals that can produce the returns those models demand.
Joint ventures and equity investment transactions
Joint ventures and similar equity investment vehicles require a nuanced understanding of the relationships of the parties to the transaction — and of their respective rights and obligations — with particular focus on how those relationships change over the life of the investment. Our attorneys' extensive experience representing many types of sponsors and investors gives us a keen understanding of different investor business models and structures, allowing us to identify potential areas of conflict and to structure these complex investment vehicles so as to minimize risk and maximize both returns and tax efficiencies. We take an interdisciplinary approach to these transactions — our real estate attorneys work closely with attorneys in the firm who handle fund formation, securities law, tax, labor and ERISA — to ensure that transactions comply with all aspects of applicable law. The length and breadth of experience of our team (including litigators with specific experience in the area) allows us to assist ventures that need to be restructured or resolve disputes that arise between venture partners. From formation of the investment vehicle to final exit, we remain involved with our clients at every stage in the process.
National platform and international service
Recognized by U.S. News as the 2022 "Law Firm of the Year" in Real Estate Law and the 2023 “Law Firm of the Year” in Litigation (Real Estate Law), our practice is national in scope and scale, with seamless collaboration from office to office. We share knowledge of each local business culture across all our offices, giving clients accustomed to one market smooth access to resources and perspectives in others. Through our Insolvency and Restructuring practice, our depth of experience and insight into financing provides particular value when counseling clients on recapitalizing or restructuring investments during times of distress. Working closely with our Transactional Tax Planning group, we are at the forefront in developing and maintaining deal structures to optimize the participation of non-US investors. Our clients see us as practical and business savvy, and they appreciate our ability to protect their interests, maintain their policies and achieve their investment goals as they navigate the eccentricities of each local market.
"I prefer to use Katten for our largest and most complicated transactions since I know they will have the resources and expertise to handle them."
Best Law Firms® 2023
(Real Estate Law) survey response
Experience
Insights
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News | June 6, 2024
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Publication | April 8, 2024
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News | January 29, 2024
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Publication | November/December 2023
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News | November 2, 2023