Winston & Strawn LLP has announced Christine A. Spletzer and Bola Oloko have joined the firm’s real estate practice in the New York office. Ms. Spletzer, who was previously with Winston & Strawn, rejoins the firm as partner from Paul Hastings, and Mr. Oloko joins as of counsel from Duval & Stachenfeld.
“We are delighted to welcome Christine and Bola to the Winston & Strawn team,” said Michael Elkin, office managing partner, Winston & Strawn New York. “Their extensive experience in capital markets real estate finance will enhance our ability to serve our clients’ needs in New York and globally.”
“The broad platform of skills and knowledge that Christine and Bola bring to the team will bolster and complement our practice in capital markets real estate finance, which combines experience in an extensive array of real estate transactions, as well as commercial mortgage securitizations, with the firm’s corporate, tax, environmental, and litigation practices,” added Corey Tessler, partner and chair of Winston & Strawn’s real estate practice.
Ms. Spletzer concentrates her practice in the areas of capital markets real estate finance and commercial mortgage-backed securitization, including extensive experience in representing issuers, originators, underwriters and investors in connection with the issuance of commercial mortgage-backed securities. Her experience includes mezzanine financing and other secured lending transactions such as warehouse financing programs, and intercreditor arrangements. Ms. Spletzer also has experience in the acquisition and disposition of both distressed and performing real estate assets. Ms. Spletzer recently acted as U.S. issuer’s counsel in connection with a cross-border single asset securitization involving a Canadian hotel portfolio.
Mr. Oloko is an experienced issuer’s and underwriters’ counsel in the commercial mortgage-backed securities area. He has advised market participants in the securitization, acquisition and disposition, and financing of financial assets, with emphasis on commercial mortgage loans. Mr. Oloko’s recent securitization experience includes representing operating advisors in connection with new-issue CMBS 2.0 transactions and counseling other market participants in connection with issues arising out of legacy CMBS and other securitization transactions.
Mr. Oloko and Ms. Spletzer are the most recent lateral hires for the Winston & Strawn real estate practice following William “Bill” X. Lang, a partner also in the firm’s New York Office, who joined in May 2013. The Winston & Strawn real estate practice is comprised of nearly 40 attorneys globally assisting purchasers, sellers, developers, borrowers, and lenders in the acquisition, financing, sale, development, and leasing of commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties.
