Global law firm Reed Smith today announced that William (Bill) Lewis has joined the Global Real Estate Group as a partner in the firm’s Chicago office. Over the past 22 years, Lewis has developed an extensive nationwide practice in commercial real estate law, with a focus on leasing, acquisition, and disposition. Most recently, he was Chair of the Real Estate and Land Use Group at Vedder Price in Chicago.
“Bill has a keen understanding of business and legal issues that have an impact the commercial real estate markets nationwide,” said Joe Sarcinella, chair of Reed Smith’s Global Real Estate Group. “The depth and scope of his experience, in both domestic and international markets, complement and expand our capabilities to assist clients with a wide array of issues, including zoning, leasing, financing, development and transactional matters.”
Lewis represents Fortune 500 companies, privately held businesses, and individuals in a variety of transactions involved in the ownership, development, and financing of real estate. He has worked with landlords and tenants on office, retail, and industrial projects nationwide, and has assisted tenants throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia with cross-border deals and large-scale industrial leases. F or example, Lewis recently guided a national banking association through multiple complex retail leasing and acquisition matters, totaling in excess of $200 million. He has also handled retail leasing for a banking client which involved more than 50 transactions in one year. I n addition, he has significant experience helping clients with critical zoning matters and environmental issues.
“Reed Smith has a leading real estate practice with a long history of successfully helping clients with highly complex and critical real estate transactions,” Lewis said. “The reach of the firm’s global platform will allow me to better serve my clients, and expand my practice. I have a significant number of clients involved in cross-border deals, and having colleagues around the world will facilitate the work we can do for those clients.”
In addition to his client work, Lewis assisted Habitat for Humanity, Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.), and UCP (United Cerebral Palsy of Chicago) Sequin of Chicago on a pro-bono basis with various sale and lease issues.
“We are delighted to welcome Bill to the Chicago office,” said Mike LoVallo, the firm’s Chicago office managing partner. “He is extremely well-known and respected throughout the real estate and legal communities, and has garnered a solid reputation for helping clients with large-scale and complex real estate matters. The Chicago office does significant work for private equity firms who engage in investments in development and leasing, and his experience in sale leaseback transactions will benefit a number of our clients.”
Lewis received his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law. He was selected as a Leading Lawyer in Real Estate: Commercial and Finance, and is a member of the Leading Lawyers Network.
The Reed Smith Real Estate Group is comprised of more than 150 lawyers worldwide, offering clients a full range of legal service with a global practice that spans the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The group’s lawyers provide tailored advice and develop effective solutions for all real estate matters, whether local, regional, or international.
Source: www.reedsmith.com
