Katten announced today that Julie Lee has joined the firm as a partner in its New York Real Estate practice where she will advise clients on sophisticated commercial real estate transactions. Lee joins Katten form the New York office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

Lee has broad-based real estate experience representing owners, developers, institutional funds, investors, operators, lenders, buyers and sellers across multiple property sectors in all stages of complex development including real estate acquisition, joint venture formation, construction, asset management and disposition.

“Julie is a rising partner who brings a versatile skill set and has the ability to navigate all aspects of commercial real estate transactions,” said Scott M. Vetri, chair of Katten’s New York Real Estate practice. “She has a topnotch ability to represent borrowers on virtually any type of real estate deal, making her an asset to finding solutions to our clients’ legal and business issues.”

Lee focuses her practice on equity and debt-side representation and has extensive experience representing private equity firms in multimillion-dollar acquisition and mortgage financing transactions.

Prior to joining Katten, Lee worked for two global law firms and served as deputy general counsel for an investment management firm which focuses on multifamily assets in high-growth markets.

Katten has one of the largest and most sophisticated real estate practices in the United States. Last week, the group also welcomed Louise Carroll, former New York City Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner, who directs clients through the financial and legal complexities of affordable housing and mixed-income housing projects, among other work.