New York Real Estate Group continues to grow, adding tenth and eleventh attorneys;
New addition represents lenders and borrowers in real estate debt and equity investments
NEW YORK (August 08, 2012) – Venable LLP announced that real estate finance attorney Michael Peskowitz has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in its Real Estate Practice Group.
Mr. Peskowitz joins from the New York office of Sidley Austin, where he was a partner.
Mr. Peskowitz’s practice concentrates on the area of commercial real estate finance, representing borrowers and lenders in the full range of debt and equity investment related to the development, ownership and management of real estate projects. Mr. Peskowitz has significant experience representing investment and commercial banks, real estate investment trusts, private equity funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions in the structuring and origination of commercial mortgage loans secured by all types of real estate assets (including hotels, office and retail properties, shopping centers and multifamily residential properties) and mezzanine loans.
Mr. Peskowitz’s practice also focuses on loan syndication, the acquisition and disposition of commercial properties, the formation of real estate joint ventures and partnerships, debt restructurings, loan modifications and work-outs. He also has significant experience in the purchase and sale of mortgage and mezzanine loans, A/B notes and participation interests, in addition to restructuring these various debt instruments.
“As we’ve seen in recent months, lending is coming back after recent years in retreat. With the credit market opening up, commercial real estate financing is starting to become more available throughout the country. Bringing aboard an attorney with the qualifications and experience of Michael will allow us to further assist clients in taking advantage of the changing market conditions, and rounds out our full-service real estate practice here in New York,” said Venable’s Peter Koffler, head of the firm’s New York real estate group.
Mr. Peskowitz and new associate Lauren Scarantino mark the tenth and eleventh attorneys to join Venable’s New York Real Estate Group. Other arrivals this year include Mr. Koffler, who joined from Stroock; and a six-person group from Dewey LeBoeuf, whose members include former New York City Parks Commissioner Gordon Davis, along with partners Peter Britell and Suzanne St. Pierre.
“Venable was a very attractive fit for my practice. The firm has quickly built up a strong New York real estate team, one that fits well with its existing top-tier national and regional real estate attorneys. This exceptional group is perfectly positioned to help clients adapt to a new and improving marketplace,” said Mr. Peskowitz.
Mr. Peskowitz received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, his M.A. from the New School for Social Research and his B.A. from Colgate University.
###
Note: An American Lawyer Global 100 law firm, Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia, Venable LLP lawyers and legislative advisors serve the needs of our domestic and global clients in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property, regulatory, and government affairs.