Real Estate: Maryland

THE FIRM This firm commands an impressive degree of respect within the real estate market, both for the quality of its attorneys and for its consistently high standards of client care. The firm handles acquisitions, sales, leasing, financing, construction, land use and zoning for clients within Maryland and nationwide. The firm operates across an extremely diverse range of real estate areas, including commercial, retail, hotels, mixed-use, multifamily housing and public/private ventures. Notable clients include The Carlyle Group, Under Armour and Johns Hopkins University.

Sources say: "The partners are all talented lawyers and very responsive to client needs - an  excellent firm and practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bethesda office managing partner Roger Winston is "the preeminent condominium lawyer in Maryland" and is also described as "just a pro in every way." He continues to represent the JBG Companies in mixed-use projects, including North Bethesda Market and the White Flint redevelopment.

The highly respected Mark Pollak enjoys an excellent practice in the construction of government facilities and is also a fine choice of counsel for city bond public finance transactions. He recently handled the $325 million refinancing of a primary credit facility on behalf of Under Armour.

Raymond Truitt is regarded by commentators as "one of the best attorneys in the state." He comes highly sought after to advise on high-profile national commercial development and financing work.

Jon Laria, managing partner of the Baltimore office, "is one of the go-to people in the state" for land use and zoning work, according to sources, who also view him as particularly adept at handling matters regarding high-end properties within Baltimore city. He is currently acting on behalf of WV Urban Developments on the $70 million 25th Street Station development, which involved obtaining one of the largest and most complex Planned Unit Developments in the city.

THE FIRM The Baltimore office of this transnational titan handles transactions, financing, zoning, leasing, development and capital markets, frequently acting on large-scale international deals with significant components in Maryland. The real estate team also benefits from close ties with its strong Baltimore tax practice. Key clients include AEGON USA Realty Advisors, CIM Group and the Liberty Property Trust.

Sources say: "The firm is very professional without being bureaucratic."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Levine is noted for his expertise on real estate transactions involving complex tax issues. According to market sources he is a "smart, courteous and responsive" attorney, who is also "truly organized and extremely efficient."

Guy Flynn boasts a diverse practice covering a variety of large-scale development projects and is described as "very flexible, very hard-working and committed to us as a client," according to one satisfied interviewee. He is currently acting on behalf of Prudential Real Estate Investors in connection with a $103 million acquisition of a multifamily project in Virginia.

THE FIRM This very highly regarded practice is built around the representation of REITs, lenders and a large number of special servicers in real estate transactions across the country. The firm also acts for owners and developers entering joint ventures with institutional investors and the owners and managers of hotel and retail chains. A recent highlight saw it handle the restructuring of three US-based hotel portfolios on behalf of Marriott International. Fannie Mae, ING Clarion and Beacon Capital are among its other notable clients.

Sources say: "The bottom line summation is that we would consider no other law firm to meet our real estate law and tax needs." "Venable is responsive, on target in terms of identifying issues, and attuned to the subtleties of what we do."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kevin Shepherd is "a true leader in the industry" according to sources, who also reserve praise for his "terrific" responsiveness and detailed knowledge of real estate transactions. He is praised for his "excellent client service." He has an impressive track record on complex real estate transactions.

The "very well-respected" James Wright specializes in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and financing, and is currently acting on behalf of a developer in a high-value development transaction being funded by tax-exempt bonds.

Robert Hoffman is a zoning and land use specialist who "has a great grasp of how you can get things done" and "is as connected in Baltimore County as you can get."

Edward Evans is new to the tables this year and comes recommended by sources as "a young attorney who handles himself in a way that far exceeds his years." He played a leading role in the aforementioned matter for Marriott.

THE FIRM This midsized firm enjoys a sterling reputation among sources for its regionally based real estate work. The team handles transactions, financing and attendant tax matters on behalf of commercial, education and healthcare clients. It is particularly well versed in all manner of real estate projects on behalf of equity investors and mezzanine lenders. 

Sources say: "They are number one for developments that are funded by new market or new housing tax credits."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Keener is regarded as "very talented" and "an excellent lawyer to work with." He is also noted by sources for his work on multifamily housing developments.

Sources describe Thomas Lewis as "very knowledgeable and good to work with." He concentrates on acquisitions, financing and sales in real estate transactions.

THE FIRM This well-regarded firm provides a full spectrum of real estate advice, including transactional work, developments, financing, leasing, land use and litigation. The practice also benefits from a close working relationship with its environmental and energy teams. Recent work highlights include representing the seller of a large port facility in Baltimore city and acting on the development of an exclusive golf resort in Cecil County.

Sources say: "They get excellent results and have the ability to work with others outside the firm in different organizations to get the job done."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers regard Edward Levin as "a great resource and a very good guy to work with," while clients note that he is "extremely professional, responds promptly and does a great job." Sources also note the impressive depth of his knowledge and his ability to understand clients as a business. He focuses on financing, purchases, leasing and sales, and is also well versed in workouts and foreclosures.

Timothy Chriss is "a very talented lawyer" and "a senior go-to real estate attorney." He has a well-respected practice, receiving particular praise for his transactional acumen.

David Fishman is a respected and long-standing presence at the head of the Maryland real estate Bar and has a "wealth of knowledge about everything" when it comes to real estate matters, according to sources. 

THE FIRM This firm is regarded as a leading name in zoning and land use, with particular strength in acting on developments in Montgomery County. This already fine reputation has been further secured this year by the hiring of three well-regarded zoning lawyers from Holland & Knight. The group is also highly respected for its transactional capabilities and, in a recent highlight, it handled the sale of a group of nursing facilities to Genesis HealthCare on behalf of its client Adventist HealthCare and a number of its subsidiaries.

Sources say: "They are well respected, well connected and well informed about what's going on in Montgomery County."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Brewer enjoys an excellent reputation in Montgomery County, particularly for his expertise in land use and zoning. He lead on the aforementioned matter for Adventist HealthCare and also represented the same client in the redevelopment of one of its medical center campuses.

As alluded to above, the team has been greatly bolstered by the addition of attorneys from Holland & Knight, including Robert Harris, who comes particularly recommended for his work with landowners, and Patricia Harris, who maintains a strong track record acting on behalf of developers and property owners.

Also joining is the highly experienced William Kominers, who has a fine reputation for representing developers and owners and is also highly sought after to advise building associations and technology clients. Sources describe his practice as being "as great as ever."

THE FIRM This well-regarded firm's 12-lawyer real estate team acts on behalf of commercial, residential and industrial clients on development, acquisition, disposition and leasing. The firm advises a diverse range of Maryland clients, and also provides valued zoning and land use advice. Recent highlights have seen it handle the purchase of a number of shopping centers for Kimco Realty and represent Orchard Development in regard to the joint venture and acquisition of a large Howard County apartment complex, which includes the additional construction of approximately 100 new apartment units.

Sources say: "They understand your business and where you want to go strategically. They also have a lot of depth."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Barbuti is singled out for his "wealth of knowledge" and also draws praise for his tough but fair negotiating style. He comes particularly recommended for his real estate development work.

Sources regard Joseph Mezzanotte as "very detail-oriented and very precise" and he is also applauded for his business acumen. He has over two decades of experience in acquisitions, development, sales and leasing. 

THE FIRM This firm is well known in the Maryland real estate market for its zoning and land use prowess, acting for a diverse array of real estate clients. Market sources value the firm's regional focus and note the firm's zoning reputation in Montgomery County. In addition, the group handles a wide range of transactional matters, including development, financing and leasing. It is also well versed in tax matters and PPP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Barbara Sears enjoys a fine reputation in zoning and land use matters. She acts on behalf of a range of clients, including owners and developers, on a broad array of land use and zoning issues, as well as handling litigation related to this area.

Peers reserve particular praise for Andrew Goldstein's expertise on real estate transactions, where he advises on acquisitions, financing, dispositions and leasing.

THE FIRM This practice is noted for its strength acting for lenders to the Midwest real estate market. The team is also well equipped to handle development, purchase, sale and lease, and also maintains a strong track record in regulatory matters and real estate litigation. A recent highlight has seen it act on behalf of Helmsman Properties on the $25 million acquisition of four loans from PNC Bank for a residential project with more than 3,000 lots in bankruptcy. Bank of America, St. John Properties and Fidelity National Title Insurance are among its other key clients. 

Sources say: "They have an excellent group, particularly in real estate finance."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Brennan remains highly regarded in the market and splits his practice between acting on behalf of real estate lenders and developers. He played a leading role in the Helmsman Properties matter mentioned above.

THE FIRM This established regional firm has a fine reputation among informed sources for its local real estate work. The firm's attorneys advise clients on all aspects of real estate transactional and financing matters, and are also commonly called upon to assist with zoning and land use issues. Additionally, the team is noted for a particular niche in acting on behalf of entrepreneurial developers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stanley Fine "is one of the preeminent land use attorneys in Baltimore city" and draws praise for his ability to work with clients at levels of the company structure. He is also singled out for having one of the finest reputations on zoning matters in the state.

Sources describe the "superb" Barry Greenberg as "an intelligent guy who is easy to communicate with and always has his clients' best interests at heart." He represents commercial developers and home-building companies on residential and planned community projects, and is particularly well regarded for acting on behalf of lenders to the real estate market.

Cynthia Spell is "an excellent real estate lawyer" who is praised by sources for the quality of her work and for her integrity and strong work ethic. She focuses on real estate transactional work as well as advising on the formation and sale of condominiums.

THE FIRM This team has an excellent reputation in Montgomery County and is noted by market sources for providing a full range of real estate services; it is well equipped to handle commercial, retail and multifamily projects for a client base that includes borrowers, developers, owners and tenants. The firm's location also sees it acting across the rest of the state, as well as in DC and Virginia, on a wide variety of projects, including government building work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Kochanski is well regarded by market sources, and possesses a general real estate practice, encompassing acquisitions, financing and dispositions. He is also known for his expertise in tax planning, and for his work with distressed assets.

Lawrence Shulman is a founding partner of the firm and viewed by sources as a significant presence in the real estate market, with a highly regarded commercial real estate practice.