Real Estate: Pennsylvania

THE FIRM This national powerhouse has established a deep bench of real estate attorneys in Philadelphia. The practice has attracted key clients such as JG Petrucci, BPG Properties and the National Center for the American Revolution. Attorneys have this year been handling an impressive range of real estate matters, working on distressed real estate initiatives across the country as well as leasing, finance and transactional issues. The Philadelphia office also houses a strong land use and zoning practice.  

Sources say: "This is a great firm with a long-standing reputation in real estate and many excellent lawyers." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Gifford is lauded as "one of the top real estate development attorneys in the city." His recent highlights include advising on the real estate aspects of the development of the Museum of the American Revolution. He also demonstrates particular expertise when handling major bet-the-company leases.

Land use and zoning specialist Neil Sklaroff headed the team's work on behalf of JG Petrucci to obtain land use permits for its sale of land to Teva. "He's just fantastic," say sources. 

Practice chair Michael Sklaroff has "done a great job building the practice" according to sources. This year he has handled a complex zoning case before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court which has proved important in determining the interpretation of the municipalities planning code. He also deals with real estate development, real property tax and eminent domain matters.   

Department vice chair Bart Mellits has represented Wexford Science & Technologies throughout the Eastern states and maintains a strong development practice.

Alan Ritterband is a highly experienced attorney with specialist knowledge of construction law. He recently advised the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania on the development of a new court building involving complex easement and lease arrangements.

Sources praise Tina Makoulian as "an excellent lawyer: she is responsive, bright and analytical." She has knowledge of land use and zoning as well as complex real estate developments. Clients say she "understands our business and is incredibly hard-working."

Philip Korb is highly thought of among peers. He handles a high volume of work relating to condominiums and has particular expertise in transfer tax.

Matthew McClure has a broad practice covering land use, historic preservation and related litigation. His clients include universities, developers and nonprofit organizations.

Dominic De Simone has recently handled a complex CMBS loan restructuring on behalf of one of his clients. He focuses on real estate finance and has particular expertise in distressed real estate transactions.

Mark DePillis is known to peers and clients as a "very good lawyer." He has acted on behalf of the National Center for the American Revolution in an ongoing development project and has particular expertise in construction law.  

THE FIRM This traditional real estate practice largely represents developers and borrowers in transactions. Significant representations this year have included acting for Simon Property Group on the acquisition of a majority share in the King of Prussia Mall. Blank Rome houses attorneys who specialize in all areas of the real estate industry, from acquisition to development, construction and financing. Other notable clients include DRA Advisors and General Cable.

Sources say: "A long-standing, high-pedigree real estate firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Foster Kelsen maintains his reputation as a "very strong zoning land use lawyer." This year he has been heavily involved in the hotel and hospitality industry, obtaining zoning permits for two new boutique hotels. He is also representing Dranoff Properties in relation to a significant mixed use project.

Craig Lord continues to be active in his representation of large institutional lenders. He is described by interviewees as a "first-rate lawyer." 

Joseph Finkelstein was heavily involved in the firm's representation of Simon Property Group in relation to the King of Prussia Mall. He also assisted Church & Dwight in the relocation of its world headquarters.

Philip Rosenfeldt focuses his practice on acquisitions and construction projects. He has recently acted on the purchase of a shopping center from a consortium of lenders. He also devotes time to leasing activity in the retail sector.  

THE FIRM Based in Philadelphia, this real estate team is particularly called upon in complex acquisition scenarios involving debt and distressed loans. Attorneys at the firm have been heavily involved in development work this year, taking on a project for Liberty Property Trust regarding a new building for GlaxoSmithKline. The firm also regularly handles transactions and negotiations relating to multifamily housing and financing matters.   

Sources say: "Very strong - a good bench with some outstanding lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Herman Fala is widely regarded as the "best real estate attorney in town." He continues to live up to his reputation, acting on several major development projects including GlaxoSmithKline's new headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard Corporate Center. He is described by interviewees as a "very strong performer" with "great negotiation skills and a wonderful manner."

Thomas Witt has recently handled zoning matters for Liberty Property Trust and acted on behalf of Parkway Corporation on the refinancing of high-value mortgage and mezzanine loans secured on condominium units. He is a "great lawyer; very solid and very knowledgeable," according to sources. 

Interviewees are quick to praise Robert Silverman, describing him as the "best in class for intelligence, style and strategic thinking." He is known for his expertise in complicated transactions, and is admired for his client-handling skills. 

James Williams enjoys a healthy reputation for real estate work. This year he has devoted time to the representation of Wolfson Verrichia in various acquisitions, loan negotiations and financings.

Jeffrey Leonard has a broad real estate practice representing private equity funds, lenders and investors. He is "a very good, very business-minded person who cuts through the legalese and he'll respond when I need him," say clients. 

THE FIRM This group has been recently involved in Pennsylvania's healthcare and higher education industries. The practice has represented five of the key medical facilities in the region, including University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Mainline Health Network. Its main focus is working with developers and institutions alongside the firm's strong real estate litigation department. Attorneys are also able to advise on zoning, land use and permitting issues. 

Sources say: "A strong reputation in commercial real estate matters."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Zoning and land use specialist Anthony Forte has strong links to the firm's telecommunications practice and works on behalf of a number of wireless facilities in Philadelphia.

Frederick Strober is lauded by sources as "a terrific lawyer, a real gentleman and a pleasure to work with." He has recently worked with a nonprofit organization in relation to commercial shipbuilding activity at the Philadelphia Navy Yard development. One interviewee describes him as "the most available attorney I have ever known: you can get him no matter what. He is very thorough, involved, engaged and knows us well, which helps."

Michael Burg is based in Chesterbrook and handles acquisitions, leases and development issues for a variety of clients. He enjoys an excellent reputation for his negotiating style: "He is a practical sort of guy that doesn't stand on ceremony or ego, but he knows when to stand up for a particular legal need and negotiate hard for it."

John Pierce maintains a diverse practice, having handled issues relating to planned communities and condominiums. He represents developers, REITs and institutional clients. He invites praise from sources, who note that he is an "excellent lawyer: efficient, responsive and knows our business."

THE FIRM Attorneys in the Philadelphia office of this international powerhouse specialize in real estate finance. The team handles a large volume of workouts and restructurings as well as complex acquisitions. The team is adept at guiding clients through CMBS transactions. Its expertise attracts key financial institution clients including Barclays Capital, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "thorough and aggressive" David Forti is highly experienced in securitization and real estate finance matters. His strength lies in his ability to "understand deals from a business perspective as well as a legal standpoint, so he knows the optimal way to negotiate."

Richard Jones is prominent in real estate finance. He has recently worked on behalf of nationalized European banks and also handles structured finance, lending deals and CMBS transactions for financial institutions such as Wells Fargo.

THE FIRM This team has been heavily involved in retail leasing work and is well respected for its ability in such matters. Drinker Biddle acts for a number of major international retailers including Urban Outfitters, recently assisting the company in expanding its headquarters. The firm has also seen a large amount of workouts, acquisitions and dispositions in the past twelve months and has noticed an uptick in the lending activity of insurance companies as opposed to traditional banking institutions.

Sources say: "Drinker Biddle clearly has presence as a good regional practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Harry Cherken has been heavily involved in the expansion of Urban Outfitters' headquarters, one of a number of projects unfolding at the Philadelphia Navy Yard complex. He has previously represented the retailer in transactions across 27 states. He is also focused on a large urban development in Pennsylvania that will include office, residential and retail space.

The "efficient and practical" David Ebby is known to be "knowledgeable, responsive, experienced and reliable" when dealing with his clients. He has focused his practice on complex transactions and lending work for insurance companies. He also has great experience in multijurisdictional transactions.

Jerald Goodman has recently represented the University of Pennsylvania and is highly skilled in leasing issues. He has a diverse practice but has a consistent focus on land use matters.

Ralph Rodak is an experienced transactional lawyer whose clients include developers, lenders and investors. He has recently handled a complex leasing matter on behalf of Comcast and is described as "wonderful, a very smart lawyer and very constructive" in his advice. 

THE FIRM This group has been very active in a number of key areas this year, including the hotel and hospitality industry. The practice is particularly active in private equity and loan restructuring work in the medical and healthcare sector. Attorneys represent developers, lenders, landlords and tenants on a broad range of real estate issues including acquisitions, CMBS transactions and land use matters.

Sources say: "A strong, effective firm with a strong zoning practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Very strong zoning lawyer" Carl Primavera represents developers from a variety of industries including hospitality, telecommunications and education. He is skilled in acquiring the necessary permits and licensing approvals for major development projects.

Gregory Gosfield has recently concentrated his practice on healthcare facility projects for medical companies. He has also handled condominium work from both a workout and restructuring perspective. Peers regard him as a "really smart and very cerebral lawyer."

Department chair Bradley Krouse represents private equity funds, real estate entrepreneurs and companies both regionally and nationally.

Jon Robins covers the gamut of real estate finance activity on behalf of fund managers, developers and institutional lenders. He has deep expertise in restructuring and enforcement of loans as well as negotiating loan agreements. 

THE FIRM This team has offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and has a strong reputation for real estate finance, working closely with the firm's corporate department. The group has been increasingly involved in multifamily loan work and represents agency lenders as well as borrowers. The office sector has been an active part of the local real estate market and Morgan Lewis is able to concentrate vast resources on construction, leasing and loan activity in this area.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS JJ Broderick is known in the field as a "fine lawyer." He represents many of the firm's major clients including Pfizer, Cephalon and Sunoco. He handles a wide range of real estate matters and has acted on behalf of REITs in a series of transactions.   

Tracy Steele earns positive feedback from her clients, who describe her as "a pleasure to talk to and work with." She frequently represents clients including major financial institutions and REITs in acquisitions, dispositions and leases and often handles transactions involving office and commercial condominiums.

"Terrific lawyer" Eric Stern continues to enjoy a solid reputation in real estate and concentrates on sophisticated transactions. He recently assisted on the development of a major out-of-state resort and counts Gramercy Capital and Equity Office Properties among his clients. 

Rising star Jeannine Bishop recently acted on a significant disposition relating to a brownfield redevelopment. She is praised for her detail-oriented approach and "shows abilities that a more seasoned lawyer wouldn't be able to show."

THE FIRM Attorneys at Duane Morris are able to assist clients on a wide range of real estate matters, including leasing, restructuring, eminent domain and development. They have recently represented Shelbourne Capital on healthcare-related work involving the building of assisted living facilities across the country. The team has also recently handled work in the hotel and hospitality industry.

Sources say: "An outstanding firm that was very responsive and understood our expectations."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Augustin has been active in the acquisition and disposition of apartment buildings. He is regarded as a "very good technical lawyer."

Drew Kapur focuses his practice on the specialist area of land value litigation. He has recently acted on behalf of an oil company in a complex condemnation case.

George Kroculick handles eminent domain and tax relief matters among other issues. He regularly represents developers and manufacturing companies.

Marc Brookman is known to peers as "quite a fine lawyer." He represents owners of previously undeveloped property. He has recently been involved on a major residential project and handling related drainage issues.

THE FIRM With five offices in Pennsylvania, attorneys at this regional firm win accolades from clients for their work on real estate acquisitions, loan agreements, leases and eminent domain issues. They are able to guide clients through complicated transactions and negotiations across a broad range of real estate issues.

Sources say: "This is a really good, solid regional firm that knows what it's doing. It has depth, expertise, complexity and brainpower."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "intelligent, responsive and innovative" Mark Morris is widely respected in real estate. He focuses on representing clients in the hospitality industry and is admired for understanding "what the client needs to achieve and how to go about achieving that goal."

THE FIRM This firm has been involved in various urban redevelopment projects this year, including the development of a new court building in Philadelphia. That complicated project has enabled the team to display its knowledge and expertise in real estate. Hangley Aronchick also houses a number of talented land use lawyers in its Harrisburg, Norristown and Philadelphia offices.

Sources say: "The lawyers I have encountered are bright and creative thinkers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Scolnic has recently worked on complex lease negotiations and represents companies with sideline real estate needs as well as traditional clients such as developers and investors. He is described by sources as "very smart, bright, creative and sensitive to business needs and fee magnitude."

Drawing on his deep experience in the industry, Stuart Ebby is able to handle the full gamut of real estate matters, from development and construction to financing and leasing. Sources value the fact that he is "extremely knowledgeable and really understands the real estate issues. He performs clear and excellent analysis of the legal issues and is very efficient."

THE FIRM Schnader Harrison's real estate group is based out of two offices in Pennsylvania. Attorneys in the team have been increasingly active in leasing acquisitions and the rental market. Key clients include Liberty Property Trust, University of Pennsylvania and TD Bank.   

Sources say: "A long-standing Philadelphia firm with real estate expertise in relation to colleges and universities."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Marilyn Kutler has recently been involved in various transactions surrounding use of the Philadelphia Navy Yard complex. According to commentators, "she's terrific: she's had a great deal of experience and the knowledge she brings to the table is exceptional."

THE FIRM This team has expertise in land use and zoning issues, as well as transactional work and financing. It regularly represents REITs in complex acquisitions and dispositions. Condominium work has been at the forefront of real estate activity for the practice in the past year. Clients include joint venture companies and higher education facilities.    

Sources say: "A good team of attorneys who are totally professional and always deliver what they promise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Linda Ann Galante has represented nonprofit organizations in development work this year. She is able to handle financings on behalf of both borrowers and lenders. She also has expertise in the modification of existing loan structures.