Department profile
Latham & Watkins LLP

REITs

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Latham & Watkins LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Latham & Watkins LLP

Latham offers public and private REITs, as well as their underwriters, lenders, sponsors, investors and partners, robust and seamless service across all aspects of the REIT market. Latham draws on its first-class capital markets, M&A, tax, real estate, finance, and executive compensation capabilities to address REITs from every angle.

Our history, spanning more than three decades, of working on the cutting edge of REIT transactions includes advising on groundbreaking deals that have helped define the market and the asset classes that qualify for inclusion in a REIT portfolio. Latham’s cross-practice approach helps our REIT clients stay ahead of rapid shifts in the business landscape as markets fluctuate, regulations change, technology advances, and asset classes evolve. Whether a client is preparing for an IPO, buying or selling a public or private REIT or a large strategic portfolio, negotiating a joint venture, or seeking a tax ruling with respect to a novel asset class or issue, Latham brings deep experience across the full spectrum of capabilities.

Latham’s REIT team has deep experience across a wide range of asset classes, including office, industrial, triple-net lease, data center, retail, multifamily, single family, healthcare, gaming, hospitality, self-storage, infrastructure, manufactured housing, mortgages, and other debt securities.


Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

REITs - USA - Nationwide

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Latham & Watkins boasts impressive strength on both transactional and securities matters in relation to REITs, alongside sophisticated spin-out, compliance and REIT conversion practices. The firm demonstrates experience in relation to roll-up IPOs. it brings to bear its complementary capabilities in real estate, tax and corporate law to provide comprehensive counsel on matters ranging from the structuring and formation of REITs to public offerings and private placements of debt and equity.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Latham & Watkins advised Sun Communities in its sale of Safe Harbor Marinas to Blackstone Infrastructure for an all-cash purchase price of $5.65 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Latham & Watkins provides thoughtful counsel based on what's going on in the market. They have a great sense of this and also understand our needs as a business.

    REITs respondentUSA
  • They have broad expertise and excellent client relationships. They are extremely knowledgeable and sophisticated, and very adept in complex situations – extraordinarily responsive and always available.

    REITs respondentUSA
  • Latham & Watkins is a premier REITs practice in the United States, with subject matter experts across multiple REIT sub-disciplines, including corporate, tax, real estate, and beyond.

    REITs respondentUSA
  • Latham & Watkins' breadth of experience allows them to handle complex and novel matters with ease. It seems like they have a subject matter expert in almost all areas.

    REITs respondentUSA
  • Latham has a deep team that has experienced almost any scenario or challenge.

    REITs respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsJulian T H Kleindorfer
    Star IndividualsJulian T H Kleindorfer

    Julian T H Kleindorfer

    Julian Kleindorfer is acclaimed for his in-depth knowledge of leading M&A and securities offerings.
    • Julian is the best in the business for REITs law. He has excellent business acumen and delivers great results.

      REITs respondentUSA
    • Julian has been around forever and is the industry leader in the REITs space; he works on more deals than anybody.

      REITs respondentUSA
    • Julian is in a league of his own.

      REITs respondentUSA
    • The best lawyer in the space.

      REITs respondentUSA
  • Band 1Ana G O'Brien
    Band 1Ana G O'Brien

    Ana G O'Brien

    Ana O'Brien is esteemed for her deep understanding of the taxation matters arising from transactions in the REITs space.
    • Ana is a very strong REIT Tax attorney.

      REITs respondentUSA
    • Ana is outstanding – a true subject matter expert combined with a practical solutions orientation.

      REITs respondentUSA
  • Band 1Lewis Kneib
    Band 1Lewis Kneib

    Lewis Kneib

    Lewis Kneib is particularly well regarded for his expertise in capital markets transactions including high-value debt and equity offerings.
    • Lewis has become one of the industry stars – thoughtful advice, extremely well respected, always available and a truly nice person.

      REITs respondentUSA
    • He is always available, and if he doesn't know the answer he tracks it down immediately. Lewis thinks about the bigger picture when providing a response and doesn't analyze in a vacuum.

      REITs respondentUSA
    • Lewis is very plugged into the market – practical and fantastic.

      REITs respondentUSA
    • He is very well known in the REITs space.

      REITs respondentUSA
  • Band 3Pardis Zomorodi
    Band 3Pardis Zomorodi

    Pardis Zomorodi

    Pardis Zomorodi attracts recognition for her ability to advise on the tax aspects of REIT transactions.
    • Pardis is highly regarded and has an excellent knowledge of REIT tax law.

      REITs respondentUSA
  • Band 4Abigail Smith
    Band 4Abigail Smith

    Abigail Smith

    Abigail Smith provides counsel on high-profile offerings. Her clients include prominent banks and significant REITs.

    • Abigail is very responsive, service-oriented and extremely knowledgeable.

      REITs respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Latham & Watkins LLP (5)

USA - Nationwide

Members

Provided by Latham & Watkins LLP

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