Holland & Knight has strengthened its nationally recognized Real Estate Capital Markets Practice Group with the addition of Partner Stacey Lara. Ms. Lara, who will reside in the firm’s New York office, has extensive experience handling complex commercial and real estate litigation and appeals in state and federal courts. She was previously with Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.
Ms. Lara represents financial institutions, lenders, distressed investors and servicers in connection with commercial real estate loans and the exercise of remedies, including judicial and non-judicial foreclosures, receiverships, workouts, judgment enforcement and collection. She also defends lender liability actions concerning claims related to breach of contract, fiduciary duty, fraud, misrepresentation, predatory lending and loan origination and servicing practices, Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), U.S. Department of Housing and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). Her experience includes regulatory counseling and investigations as well as providing compliance advice and risk assessments.
“Stacey’s experience will allow us to increase the depth of the Real Estate Capital Markets Practice Group’s bench, as well as provide us with opportunities to expand services to the firm’s broad base of financial institution clients,” said Joe Guay, Holland & Knight’s Real Estate Section leader. “We are thrilled to be adding someone with her extensive skill set to our team.”
“Having previously worked opposite Stacey, I can attest to her aptitude, dedication and extensive knowledge in the world of real estate,” said New York Real Estate Partner Keith Brandofino. “I am eager for her to join the firm so that we can work together as a team to represent lenders.”
“I am excited to join Holland & Knight’s talented and growing real estate team,” said Ms. Lara. “The firm’s commitment to diversity, expansion and collaboration will allow me to build upon my practice and enhance the level of service that I can provide to existing and future clients.”
