THE FIRM This impressive firm is highly respected for the breadth and depth of its resources. It handles complex and sophisticated real estate transactions, as well as zoning and land use matters. Clients benefit from the firm's national footprint, and are quick to praise the collegiate relationship between the offices.
Sources say: "No one compares in terms of expertise, perspective or creativity."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Pollak is extremely highly regarded, particularly for his knowledge of public-private partnerships. Sources say he is "very quick, responsive and knows the politics of getting deals approved." He is representing the City of Baltimore in negotiating an agreement to allow for the operation of an Indy Grand Prix race in downtown Baltimore. Managing partner Raymond Truitt is highly respected and focuses on commercial real estate financing, leasing, development and restructuring. Roger Winston is best known for his expertise in planned communities and condominiums. "He has provided tremendous value to many of our projects," enthuses one client. Morton Fisher is said to be "one of the deans of the real estate Bar in Maryland." His practice continues to be largely focused on development in the Baltimore area. Jon Laria is praised for his expertise in land use and zoning. He is highly respected in the market and is said to "know local politics and processes better than anyone." Sources also praise his creativity and leadership skills. He is representing State Center LLC in a significant transit-oriented development.
THE FIRM The Maryland team of this international firm handles the full range of development projects, financing matters and commercial leasing transactions. The team is able to draw on expertise from different departments, particularly tax. Notable clients include St. John Properties and Stevenson University.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Levine is best known for his expertise in real estate transactions involving complex tax planning. Sources say he is "just excellent and his reputation carries weight." John Machen focuses on real estate financing and real estate development. Sources praise him for being very easy to work with. Guy Flynn is commended for his expertise in commercial real estate development and finance. He represents developers, lenders, borrowers and other public and private business entities in joint ventures, acquisitions, leasing, commercial finance and syndication transactions.
THE FIRM This team acts for developers, investors and lenders in a wide range of commercial real estate matters from office leasing to multibillion-dollar financing transactions. It also highly commended for its expertise in land use and zoning.
Sources say: "A consistently strong and excellent firm."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Department cochair Kevin Shepherd is widely recognized for his experience of representing large national and multinational institutions in complex real estate transactions. James Wright is a highly experienced real estate attorney, commended for his knowledge of acquisitions, dispositions, financing and leasing of real estate. Robert Hoffman attracts a wealth of praise from market sources for his expertise in land use matters. He is said to be one of the "preeminent attorneys in Baltimore County for facilitating land use and permit approvals."
THE FIRM This full-service real estate team is experienced in handling transactional matters, project financing and related tax issues. Clients acknowledge the high quality of the work undertaken by the team and commend the importance it places on understanding their businesses.
Sources say: "Fantastic attorneys who know the law and are easy to work with."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Keener is an "excellent attorney" with a broad real estate practice. He is highly admired, along with Thomas Lewis, who is commended for his experience of advising on multifamily housing projects.
THE FIRM This firm is highly praised by market sources for the breadth of its real estate capabilities. It handles acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, project financing and real estate litigation. Recent highlights include advising a national shopping center developer on redevelopment of an urban shopping mall, and representing a developer of a large transit-oriented mixed-use development in Baltimore County.
Sources say: "Extremely thorough, responsive and timely."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Edward Levin is widely recognized for his real estate capabilities, including financing, leasing, purchasing and sale, workouts and foreclosure. He is said to be "thorough and responsive." Clients say Timothy Chriss has "a terrific work ethic and is always there when you need him." He represents developers, lenders and governmental entities in all aspects of commercial real estate projects. Sources say he is "very easy to work with and excellent at negotiating with the other side." Chairman of the department David Fishman is a highly experienced real estate attorney and is said to be a "dean of the real estate Bar."
THE FIRM This team is best known for its strength in land use and zoning matters, and is often involved in significant developments in Montgomery County. It also has considerable real estate transactional experience. The recent acquisition of eight real estate and land use attorneys from Holland & Knight is a major boost to the practice.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Brewer is highly admired in Montgomery County for his experience in land use and zoning matters. Sources say he is "an excellent lawyer who is very responsive and capable." He represents several property owners in the White Flint Sector Plan. The group brought over from Holland & Knight includes former practice head Robert Harris, who is praised for his "can-do attitude and positive approach to problems." Clients also say he is an "excellent strategist, who is always available and easy to reach." He is joined by William Kominers, who is experienced in representing owners, developers and builder associations, as well as major institutional and biotechnology companies. Clients benefit from his local political connections and strategic thinking. The "extremely talented" Patricia Ann Harris, also formerly of Holland & Knight, attracts praise for her zoning and land use expertise, particularly in Montgomery County. Clients say she is "very responsive and easy to work with."
THE FIRM This 12-strong group has an excellent reputation in the region for the quality of the work it undertakes. It represents a variety of commercial, industrial and residential clients in the acquisition, development, leasing and disposition of real estate. The team is also experienced in land use and zoning matters.
Sources say: "Very highly thought of in the region."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Barbuti is praised by sources for "not only being an expert in the law, but also having a fantastic business savvy and understanding." He is experienced in all aspects of complex commercial real estate transactions, and is particularly well respected for work involving retail shopping centers. He recently handled a complex ground lease for Kimco Realty for a new Safeway supermarket and retail shopping center in Towson, Maryland. Sources say Joseph Mezzanotte is "prompt and very detail-oriented, yet never loses sight of the bigger picture in the detail." He is representing Wilmington Trust in the restructuring and workout of multimillion-dollar commercial real estate development loans.
THE FIRM This team attracts a wealth of praise for the range of its real estate expertise. It is experienced in handling development projects, financing matters and commercial leasing, as well as land use and zoning matters. Clients benefit from the firm's network and national reach. A notable development is the loss this year of eight of the firm's real estate and land use attorneys to rival Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chartered. The market will have to wait to assess the full impact of these departures.
Sources say: "Very bright attorneys with fantastic local connections and credibility." "You name any retailer on the market and they go through their system and network and find someone who has done a lease with that retailer! That is a big plus."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Jerald Cohn is a key contact at the firm.
THE FIRM This group is best known for its expertise in zoning and land use. It represents developers, builders, public or quasi-governmental entities, and local, national or international organizations on the full spectrum of land use issues. The team also advises on real estate and real property taxation matters, and was recently involved in a major leasing transaction for a healthcare organization.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Land use attorney Barbara Sears is "a very talented and respected zoning lawyer," who is involved in significant mixed-use development projects in Maryland. One source adds: "She is the best land use attorney I have come across." She was recently involved in a significant land use case for Johns Hopkins University. Group leader Andrew Goldstein is an "excellent transactional lawyer," say sources. He focuses on real estate acquisitions and sales, commercial leasing and real estate finance.
THE FIRM This group is best known for its expertise in real estate finance. It advises some of the premier banking institutions in the mid-Atlantic region on the documentation, negotiation and consummation of all types of real estate financing transactions. The team is also experienced in representing developers in acquisitions, dispositions and commercial leasing matters.
Sources say: "We love this firm. It is accommodating and focuses on the deal points."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Chairman of the group Jeffrey Seibert has experience in representing national and regional lending institutions in secured financing transactions. His clients include Bank of America, Manufacturers & Traders Trust and SunTrust Bank.
THE FIRM This team has a well-established local presence and is praised for the excellent quality of its work. It represents clients in all aspects of real estate projects, including contract negotiations, financing and leasing. It is also experienced in land use and zoning matters.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Barry Greenberg represents home-building companies and land developers, as well as major national and regional banks and institutional lenders, in all aspects of real estate projects. Sources say he is renowned for handling "highly sophisticated work and going out of his way for his clients." Stanley Fine is said to be a "preeminent attorney for land use matters in Baltimore City." He represents developers and businesses in complex development projects.
THE FIRM This team is well regarded in the local market and is experienced in handling a wide range of real estate matters. Areas of expertise include acquisitions, financing, commercial lending, leasing, tax planning, distressed assets and green building. Clients benefit from the firm's strong local and regional knowledge and connections.
KEY INDIVIDUALS David Kochanski advises on the full spectrum of real estate work, from sales and acquisitions to distressed and nonperforming assets. He is highly praised, along with Lawrence Shulman, who is singled out for his expertise in commercial leasing.
James Oliver of Lenrow, Kohn & Oliver A Professional Corporation is said to be an
"outstanding lawyer who is very meticulous in his work." He has a fantastic reputation in Baltimore and focuses on commercial real estate, condominium law and leasing.
Lonnie Ritzer of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler is praised for his experience in handling tax-related real estate work. Sources say he
"has fantastic business sense and is extremely thorough." He is currently assisting with the financing, formation and development of Baltimore Racing Development.
Thomas Totten of Duane Morris LLP is commended for his experience in real estate development and finance. He focuses on representing commercial banks and institutional lenders in loan portfolio sales.
Jane Wilson of Semmes, Bowen & Semmes is best known for her representation of lenders in real estate financing transactions. She also advises developers and individuals in acquisitions and dispositions, and commercial leasing.
James Goodrich of Saul Ewing LLP has a national real estate practice, encompassing sales, acquisitions, financing and leases of commercial property. He is praised for being able to
"balance the technical requirements of the task at hand with creative problem solving." Sources also say he is
"very pragmatic and an excellent negotiator." He represents Becton, Dickinson & Company in numerous real estate and construction matters.