Holland & Knight has strengthened its nationally recognized Real Estate Practice Group with a team of two partners from Mayer Brown. Robert Bressman and Laura Franklin have joined the firm’s New York office. Mr. Bressman led the New York real estate practice at his former firm.
“Robert and Laura have excellent reputations in the New York real estate community as well as several prestigious clients,” said Joe Guay, Holland & Knight’s Real Estate Section leader. “Their arrival will give us additional capabilities to handle sophisticated work, including on complex borrower-side real estate financing, joint venture transactions, as well as major office and hotel development and equity deals. We are thrilled to welcome them to our team.”
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining the esteemed real estate practice at Holland & Knight, particularly during a period of such remarkable growth,” said Mr. Bressman. “Laura and I look forward to collaborating with the many other accomplished members of this group and plan to use the firm’s extensive resources to further expand our practices and better serve our clients.”
With more than 30 years of experience, Mr. Bressman advises national insurance companies and financial institutions in negotiating, documenting and closing acquisition, construction and permanent financing. He also represents investment banks on mezzanine financing and preferred equity transactions; counsels institutional owners and public and private companies in development and ownership of Class A office buildings; advises private equity funds and pension fund advisors in development and ownership of five-star hotels, Class A office buildings and luxury condominiums; represents landlords in leasing Class A office space; and counsels institutional users on the leasing of major corporate headquarters. Mr. Bressman received his J.D. degree from Rutgers Law School and his B.A. degree from Columbia University.
Ms. Franklin focuses her practice on real estate acquisitions and sales, and leasing, as well as complex real estate financing transactions. She routinely represents institutional owners and public and private companies in the ownership and leasing of Class A office buildings. She also represents office, retail and telecommunications tenants, and helps her clients negotiate and draft effective leases. Ms. Franklin received her J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. degree from Providence College.
