About Real Estate

“Excellent team that excels across the full range of real estate matters and is particularly highly regarded for its formidable strength in complex financings.”

— Chambers USA

Success in the real estate industry depends in large part on forces outside your control. Economic booms and busts, rising and falling interest rates, and even an atmosphere of optimism or pessimism can mean success or failure for a project. Or a company.

Blank Rome’s real estate practice can help you build a strong foundation for your business to take advantage of (or withstand) market fluctuations. Every year, we handle deals ranging from $5 million to several billions of dollars. And our large, diverse team of real estate lawyers are supported by a deep bench of legal professionals with experience in public and private financing, environmental law, tax law, corporate transactions, bankruptcy, and litigation.

Our clients include:

  • Developers
  • Entrepreneurial real estate companies and individuals
  • Financial institutions
  • Government entities
  • Higher education institutions
  • Homebuilders
  • Hotel, hospitality, and leisure companies
  • Housing authorities
  • Landlords and tenants
  • Multifamily owners and managers
  • Office building owners
  • Private equity funds
  • Public, private, and nonprofit companies
  • REITs
  • Retail, outlet, and shopping center owners
  • Retail end users and franchisees
  • Sports franchises

We understand the market, and we understand the law. Whether you are finalizing a multibillion dollar portfolio transaction or closing a single-property deal, we can help you spot the pitfalls, develop a strategy, evaluate financing and capital sources, and seize the (right) opportunity.

How We Can Help

  • Acquisitions, dispositions, investments, mergers, and buyouts
  • Development and construction
  • Dispute resolution and litigation
  • Environmental
  • Investment and real estate investment trusts
  • Financing
  • Leasing (office, industrial and retail)
  • Tax, including tax credit transactions
  • Workouts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures
  • Zoning and land use

What Sets Us Apart

  • Ranked Tier 1 in 2025 U.S. News & World Report–Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” (Woodward/White, Inc.) for Real Estate Law nationally and in Philadelphia and New York City; regionally recognized in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
  • Chambers USA 2023 recognized our practice for Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania. Chambers researchers have stated Blank Rome:
    • “Acts for an impressive list of leading financial institutions, as well as owners, developers and REITs.”
    • “Possesses strong capabilities in zoning and land use issues and is also regularly called upon for its expertise in restructuring work and tax assessment matters”
    • Is “…regularly called upon for its expertise in restructuring work…”
    • “...is ‘very, very strong in representing real estate developers.’”
  • Recognized as a “Top Issuer Counsel” for U.S. commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) by Commercial Mortgage Alert in February 2013.

Key Contacts

Samantha Wallack

Samantha Wallack

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5322
Steven A. Shoumer

Steven A. Shoumer

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5756
Samuel M. Walker

Samuel M. Walker

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5493
Mark S. Adams

Mark S. Adams

Partner

Orange County, CA+1.949.812.6036
John A. Adkins

John A. Adkins

Partner

Houston, TX+1.713.632.8656
Rither Alabre

Rither Alabre

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5215
Kerri L. Alessi

Kerri L. Alessi

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5125
Dimitrios G. Angelakos

Dimitrios G. Angelakos

Of Counsel

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5306
Kathryn C. Appling

Kathryn C. Appling

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5305
Sonia Kaur Bain

Sonia Kaur Bain

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5360
Clifton D. Beech

Clifton D. Beech

Of Counsel

Dallas, TX+1.972.850.1497
Arash Beral

Arash Beral

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3453
Cory R. Bernard

Cory R. Bernard

Associate

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3829
Dalila V. Best

Dalila V. Best

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5212
Eric L. Bodzin

Eric L. Bodzin

Associate

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5484
Gregory M. Bordo

Gregory M. Bordo

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3404
Saul Breskal

Saul Breskal

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3486
Stephen D. Brodie

Stephen D. Brodie

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5243
Jim Butler

Jim Butler

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.285.2191
Jennifer L. Carrier

Jennifer L. Carrier

Partner/Principal

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.3034
Ekinsu Cebi Elkei

Ekinsu Cebi Elkei

Foreign Associate

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2350
Robert Chester

Robert Chester

Of Counsel

New York, NY+1.212.885.5331
Justin A. Chiarodo

Justin A. Chiarodo

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2706
Naadia M. Chowdhury

Naadia M. Chowdhury

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5448
Ross E. Coe

Ross E. Coe

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.772.5839
Harris N. Cogan

Harris N. Cogan

Senior Counsel

New York, NY+1.212.885.5566
Michael Carl Cohen

Michael Carl Cohen

Senior Counsel

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3455
Amy Joseph Coles

Amy Joseph Coles

Partner

Pittsburgh, PA+1.412.932.2802
Jacqueline Combs

Jacqueline Combs

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3815
Beth Bernstein Connors

Beth Bernstein Connors

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5289
Ryan C. Craig

Ryan C. Craig

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2695
Matthew J. Crawford

Matthew J. Crawford

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5252
Massimo F. D’Angelo

Massimo F. D’Angelo

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5582
Brandon J. Davis

Brandon J. Davis

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3441
Brendan D. Delany

Brendan D. Delany

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2276
Michael M. Denci

Michael M. Denci

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5374
Francesco Di Pietro

Francesco Di Pietro

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5057
James P. DiLeo

James P. DiLeo

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5058
David A. Dorey

David A. Dorey

Partner

Wilmington, DE+1.302.425.6418
Jason R. Eig

Jason R. Eig

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.5008
Spencer G. Emanuel

Spencer G. Emanuel

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5014
Diana M. Eng

Diana M. Eng

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5572
Ryan H. Fateh

Ryan H. Fateh

Associate

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.285.2190
Clara Feldman

Clara Feldman

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5527
Dayna C. Finkelstein

Dayna C. Finkelstein

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5348
Charles A. Fitzpatrick IV

Charles A. Fitzpatrick IV

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5608
Craig M. Flanders

Craig M. Flanders

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5016
Carmen F. Francella III

Carmen F. Francella III

Associate

Boston, MA+1.617.415.1224
Deborah A. Franzblau

Deborah A. Franzblau

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5526
Jamie Garelick

Jamie Garelick

Of Counsel

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3403
Carol A. Gershon

Carol A. Gershon

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5640
Alyssa N. Glass

Alyssa N. Glass

Associate

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5408
Patrick D. Harder

Patrick D. Harder

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3488
Neakzaad L. Horriat

Neakzaad L. Horriat

Associate

Dallas, TX+1.972.850.1474
Mark L. Johansen

Mark L. Johansen

Partner

Dallas, TX+1.972.850.1476
Toni S. Jordan

Toni S. Jordan

Of Counsel

New York, NY+1.212.885.5385
Peter H. Jost

Peter H. Jost

Contract Attorney

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2217
Scott M. Kaplan

Scott M. Kaplan

Associate

Chicago, IL+1.312.776.2598
Basileios Katris

Basileios Katris

Partner

Chicago, IL+1.312.776.2584
James D. Kelly

James D. Kelly

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.3179
Kim Li Khutorsky

Kim Li Khutorsky

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5427
Jason S. Kim

Jason S. Kim

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3831
Daniel S. Klein

Daniel S. Klein

Of Counsel

Dallas, TX+1.972.850.1452
Mary Ann Knoeckel

Mary Ann Knoeckel

Of Counsel

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2622
Jonathan M. Korn

Jonathan M. Korn

Partner

Princeton, NJ+1.609.750.7707
Joseph E. Krause

Joseph E. Krause

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5062
Adam E. Laver

Adam E. Laver

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5764
Abigail E. Lefanto

Abigail E. Lefanto

Associate

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5427
Mara B. Levin

Mara B. Levin

Senior Counsel

New York, NY+1.212.885.5292
Ashley Brinn Levy

Ashley Brinn Levy

Associate

Princeton, NJ+1.609.750.2642
Samuel D. Levy

Samuel D. Levy

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5352
Jonathan A. Loeb

Jonathan A. Loeb

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3422
Martin Luskin

Martin Luskin

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5311
Justin G. Mapes

Justin G. Mapes

Partner

Dallas, TX+1.972.850.1463
Joseph J. Mellema

Joseph J. Mellema

Partner

Orange County, CA+1.949.812.6038
Helen K. Michael

Helen K. Michael

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2673
James R. Murray

James R. Murray

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.3409
Jeffrey T. Myers

Jeffrey T. Myers

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.285.2195
Jaleh R. Najafali

Jaleh R. Najafali

Associate

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5382
Kenneth J. Nunnenkamp

Kenneth J. Nunnenkamp

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2729
Brian P. O’Neil

Brian P. O’Neil

Of Counsel

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5327
Molly K. O’Neil

Molly K. O’Neil

Associate

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5606
William M. Pekarsky

William M. Pekarsky

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5129
Zachary J. Perkins

Zachary J. Perkins

Associate

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5710
Gabrielle C. Phillips

Gabrielle C. Phillips

Associate

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2708
Allison N. Powers

Allison N. Powers

Partner

Chicago, IL+1.312.776.2546
Jason E. Reisman

Jason E. Reisman

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5598
Thomas T. Reith

Thomas T. Reith

Partner

Boston, MA+1.617.415.1221
Christy L. Reuter

Christy L. Reuter

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5273
Philip R. Rosenfeldt

Philip R. Rosenfeldt

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5686
Scott D. Samlin

Scott D. Samlin

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5208
Tiffany D. Sanders

Tiffany D. Sanders

Of Counsel

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2387
Caitlin I. Sanders

Caitlin I. Sanders

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3460
Michael A. Scheffler

Michael A. Scheffler

Senior Counsel

New York, NY+1.212.885.5470
Ellie I. Schulman

Ellie I. Schulman

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5107
Elaine H. Scivetti

Elaine H. Scivetti

Partner

Washington, D.C.+1.202.420.2620
Joel V. Sestito

Joel V. Sestito

Partner

Chicago, IL+1.312.776.2582
Brandon S. Shemtob

Brandon S. Shemtob

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5429
Daniel J. Sobol

Daniel J. Sobol

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5673
Peter J. Soloff

Peter J. Soloff

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5680
Benjamin G. Stonelake

Benjamin G. Stonelake

Senior Counsel

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5689
David A. Sudeck

David A. Sudeck

Partner

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3828
Saam Takaloo

Saam Takaloo

Associate

Los Angeles, CA+1.424.239.3844
Margaret E. Talt

Margaret E. Talt

Associate

New York, NY+1.212.885.5012
Frank L. Tamulonis III

Frank L. Tamulonis III

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5725
Corey Tarzik

Corey Tarzik

Partner

New York, NY+1.212.885.5113
Sarah E. Thorpe

Sarah E. Thorpe

Associate

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5603
Kathleen J. Udo

Kathleen J. Udo

Of Counsel

New York, NY+1.212.885.5159
Joseph M. Welch

Joseph M. Welch

Partner

Orange County, CA+1.949.812.6019
Gregory Wong

Gregory Wong

Of Counsel

New York, NY+1.212.885.5578
Stephen C. Zumbrun

Stephen C. Zumbrun

Partner

Philadelphia, PA+1.215.569.5467

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