Top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP today announced the continued growth of its largest office, New York, with the addition of Steven Chudnow who joins as a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group from Wachtel Missry LLP. He previously spent 12 years as in-house counsel to the real estate investment management and real estate finance divisions of a Fortune 100 financial services company.
Chudnow will also contribute to Akerman’s Real Estate Financing Practice. He joins two weeks after the practice welcomed Bruce Meyerson in New York. With more than 150 lawyers and business professionals, including former in-house counsel from major multinational banks, the national team is spread across key business centers like Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C. and throughout Florida.
“Steve is an important addition at a time when our team is incredibly active advising on large scale real estate finance transactions,” said Eric Rapkin, Chair of Akerman’s Real Estate Practice Group.
“The New York real estate market remains robust for our clients, and they are in need of highly skilled lawyers like Steve who have technical expertise in the financing of complex real estate projects across sectors,” said Alan Cohen, a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group and Co-Office Managing Partner of the New York Office. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Steve previously on complex matters and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our work at Akerman.”
Chudnow focuses his practice on commercial real estate and real estate finance. He advises lenders (banks, funds, REITS, and family offices), owners, and developers on a diverse range of complex real estate matters, ranging from complex mortgage, mezzanine, permanent, bridge and construction loans, preferred equity, acquisitions and sales, development matters, and joint ventures. Chudnow routinely negotiates inter-creditor agreements for both senior and junior lenders.
In addition, Chudnow handles acquisitions and sales across all traditional asset types. He has extensive experience with the formation and operation of insurance company separate accounts for ERISA investors and has also represented a nationally recognized insurance company in connection with the regular securitization of its loan portfolios.
Chudnow also dedicates pro-bono time to Advocates for Children, a nonprofit, in defending the interests of at-risk children before the New York City Department of Education.
