Sidley Adds Team of Real Estate Partners

New York – Sidley Austin LLP announced today that Steven Koppel, Aviva Yakren and Adam Verstandig have joined the firm as partners in its New York office. All three will be members of Sidley’s Real Estate practice. These lawyers have both national and global experience advising clients in all aspects of real estate private equity and real estate finance, including capital markets lending, community development finance, low-income housing and new market tax credit products, renewable energy project finance, and high-yield and distressed debt/workouts.

“Steve, Aviva and Adam have an excellent reputation among lenders, investors, financial institutions and high-level New York City and state government officials,” said Alan Weil, co-leader of Sidley’s global Real Estate practice. “Adding such a talented and outstanding team of lawyers further strengthens our capabilities and solidifies our commitment to the continued expansion of our Real Estate practice in New York, nationally and globally.”

Mr. Koppel, Ms. Yakren and Mr. Verstandig represent financial institutions and equity investors in the U.S. and Europe in virtually all aspects of real estate finance, both debt and equity, and with respect to all real estate asset classes. In addition, the group is a preeminent community development finance practice. They regularly advise financial institutions with respect to construction financing, term facilities, private placements of tax exempt bonds, 80/20 financings and tax credit-structured financings.

“We are delighted to welcome this very talented group of real estate lawyers to Sidley,” said Peter Benudiz, co-leader of Sidley’s global Real Estate practice. “I’ve known Steve and Aviva for almost 20 years and have had the pleasure of calling them my partners and friends, and I am thrilled that we are reunited. They are widely recognized for their experience advising clients in high-profile real estate projects. They are also a great cultural fit for Sidley and will add to our national Real Estate practice.”

With 1,900 lawyers in 20 offices worldwide, Sidley has built a reputation as a premier legal adviser for global businesses and financial institutions. Sidley has for the sixth year in a row received the most first-tier national rankings in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” survey. On Law360’s list of Global 20 Firms, Sidley was ranked among the top law firms “with the greatest global reach and expertise.” To stay up to date with the latest Sidley news, please follow us on Twitter at @SidleyLaw.