Thomas Lansen, a highly regarded real estate finance lawyer who assists clients in closing loans that are sold on the secondary market, has joined McGuireWoods’ global real estate practice as a partner in New York.
Institutional lenders seek out Lansen to close real estate loans that are pooled and sold as commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). Lansen worked for the CMBS group at a leading investment bank before earning a reputation as a top real estate finance lawyer for his work advising lenders in complex transactions.
Lansen joins McGuireWoods from Cassin & Cassin, following the recent arrivals of real estate finance partners Dennis Mensi and Alice Youngbar, who moved to the firm from Cassin & Cassin in November. Associates Kathleen Barth, Thomas Patalano, Alexander Hakopian and Scott Rader also have moved to McGuireWoods. Together, they strengthen the firm’s considerable capabilities assisting lenders in commercial and multifamily mortgage loan transactions, said John Grieb, chair of McGuireWoods’ Real Estate & Land Use Department.
“We have a deep bench of talent with a wealth of experience in real estate financings, and Tom is an important addition,” Grieb said. “He has a stellar reputation for helping clients thrive in the high-volume CMBS market.”
The real estate expansion continues a growth surge in McGuireWoods’ New York office, which has enhanced its capabilities to serve financial institution clients with key additions in its white-collar litigation, broker-dealer and bankruptcy practices since 2016.
“Tom will play a key role in broadening the services we provide to institutional and commercial lenders in New York and nationally. We’re delighted to welcome him,” added Noreen Kelly, managing partner of the firm’s New York office and chair of the financial institutions industry team.
McGuireWoods’ real estate group represents investors, developers, financial institutions and Fortune 100 companies in matters throughout the United States and abroad. Six of the firm’s U.S.-based real estate lawyers are ranked by Chambers USA in its 2017 guide and the firm’s real estate practice is ranked in The Legal 500’s 2017 UK and Europe, Middle East and Africa guides.
“McGuireWoods’ global real estate practice and the firm’s relationships with leading financial institutions provide tremendous growth opportunities for my practice, and I’m excited to join this world-class team,” Lansen said.