Fried Frank’s Real Estate Department Attracts Leading Sector Talent

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP announced today that Michael E. Vines has joined as a partner in the Real Estate Department, resident in the New York office. Mr. Vines represents large financial institutions in the origination of mortgage and mezzanine commercial real estate lending transactions, including both commercial mortgage-backed securities and portfolio lending. He also provides advice in connection with refinancing and restructuring existing real estate arrangements, as well as loan sales and purchases and other secondary market transactions.

Mr. Vines also has extensive experience in land use, development, construction and zoning matters. He received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law in 2004. He received his B.A. in history, cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2000.

Joelle Halperin and Jill Hayman have also joined Fried Frank’s Real Estate Department as special counsel in New York. Both provided in-house real estate counsel to leading US corporations in their previous roles.

Ms. Halperin’s practice focuses on the representation of sellers and purchasers of commercial, multi-family, retail and hospitality properties, landlords and tenants in leasing transactions, financing, workout and bankruptcies. Before returning to Fried Frank, she was Managing Director and real estate general counsel at Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. She was previously an attorney at Fried Frank from 1997-2006.

Ms. Hayman concentrates on the development and leasing of large headquarters premises and data centers. She has represented owners, developers and corporate tenants in these transactions around the world. Previously she was a Managing Director in the Legal and Compliance Division of Morgan Stanley. A recipient of the 2015 Chambers Women in Law Outstanding Achievement Award (In-House), Ms. Hayman is also an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School.

“In the current New York real estate market, Fried Frank’s real estate practice remains the go-to team for handling clients’ most challenging and sophisticated matters,” said David Greenwald, chairman of Fried Frank. “We are very pleased that Michael, Joelle and Jill have chosen to join us as we continue to grow this robust practice.”

In addition, real estate partner Laurinda Martins will join longtime Fried Frank client Brookfield Office Properties as senior vice president. In her new role, she will help Brookfield continue to grow its multi-family platform – including the Greenpoint Landing project in Brooklyn, where Fried Frank brought together longtime clients Brookfield and Park Tower Group to develop two residential towers that will contain 500,000 square feet of first-class residential space. During her time at Fried Frank, Ms. Martins concentrated her practice on commercial mortgage, mezzanine and construction financing on behalf of lenders and borrowers, as well as joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions and loan restructures, workouts and UCC foreclosures.

“Michael, Joelle and Jill are fabulous lawyers who share Fried Frank’s commitment to excellent client service. We are eager to work with them on matters that are shaping the landscape of New York City and beyond,” said Jonathan L. Mechanic, chairman of Fried Frank’s Real Estate Department. He added, “Laurinda has been a valued member of our team, and we look forward to continued collaboration with her as she takes on this exciting new role.”

Source:  www.friedfrank.com