Sidley Austin LLP announced today that Peter Benudiz has joined the firm in Los Angeles as a partner and will be a co-leader of the firm’s more than 100-lawyer global Real Estate practice. Mr. Benudiz was co-head of the Gaming and Hospitality group at his prior firm and has advised clients on numerous high-profile hospitality and real estate transactions. At Sidley, he will be based in the Century City office and will focus on expanding the firm’s global hospitality practice.
“Peter has a robust hospitality and real estate practice, and we are delighted to have a lawyer of his caliber join Sidley,” said Larry Barden, chair of Sidley’s Management Committee. “Adding Peter to the team adds a new dimension to our broad and successful transactional and real estate practices nationwide and further solidifies our commitment to the continued expansion of our capabilities in Greater Los Angeles.”
While Mr. Benudiz’ multidisciplinary practice focuses on hospitality and real estate, he is also regularly called upon to provide strategic advice and guidance to boards of directors and senior management of operating businesses on various cross-border and domestic matters. He has advised on billions of dollars of hospitality, real estate, corporate finance and M&A deals, including domestic and cross-border leveraged private equity deals. He has counseled some of the world’s leading financial institutions and private equity funds on the acquisition, financing and restructuring of major real estate and hotel projects.
“If your New Year’s resolution is ‘continue to attract the best partners in the market,’ you would hire Pete Benudiz,” said Dan Clivner, co-managing partner of Sidley’s Los Angeles offices. “Pete’s practice, personality and reputation are a perfect addition to our growing team here in Greater Los Angeles. He will be sought out for his hospitality practice, for sure, but we look forward to partnering with him on a range of private equity, corporate, real estate and restructuring opportunities.”
“Peter is a highly respected lawyer and a major presence in the hospitality industry,” said Marc Hayutin, co-leader of the firm’s global Real Estate practice. “He has worked with an impressive array of clients, and his extensive experience handling complex issues for global companies complements the practice we have at Sidley. We are excited about the future we will build together.”
Mr. Benudiz is ranked nationally in Band 1 by Chambers USA for Leisure & Hospitality and recognized by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals as one of the top 30 real estate lawyers in California. He also has been featured either as a speaker, moderator or panelist at more than 200 hospitality conferences, addressing topics including cross-border transactions, financings, restructurings, management agreements, and joint venture and corporate restructurings.
With the addition of Mr. Benudiz, Sidley continues its highly strategic expansion in Los Angeles. His arrival closely follows that of several other partners, including Dan Clivner, Matt Thompson, Chad Hummel, Clay Friedman and Joel Rothstein.
Source: www.sidley.com
