Gary Axelrod

Gary Axelrod, Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Hospitality, Gaming & Leisure Industry Group, and former Global Co-Chair of the Real Estate Practice, advises clients on many of their most complex and highest-profile real estate transactions.

Nationally recognized as a leading transactional lawyer in both the real estate and hospitality industries, Gary delivers creative and strategic counsel to private equity sponsors and funds, institutional investors, operating companies, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and entrepreneurial developers. His experience spans all types of transactions and asset classes, with a particular focus on hotels, resorts, and gaming properties. He also brings substantial experience advising on international projects, including in Canada, China, Dubai, India, Abu Dhabi, and Mexico.

Gary regularly advises on transactions related to:

- Complex single-asset acquisitions and dispositions

- Portfolio acquisitions and dispositions

- Entity-level mergers and acquisitions

- Joint ventures, including platform and strategic joint ventures and public-private partnerships

- Development projects

- Debt and equity financings

- Bankruptcies and restructurings, including complex asset-level and corporate-level restructurings

Gary also supports community causes by serving as a board member for the Anti-Defamation League, Midwest and assisting clients on a pro bono basis, including in connection with community outreach programs.

He frequently serves on the Advisory Boards for Real Estate Law360 and Hospitality Law360, and was licensed as a certified public accountant in 1994.