Brett is a seasoned lawyer and co-chair of the firm's global real estate practice. He assists lenders and investors in navigating the complex, ever-changing world of real estate. Brett understands both the legal and business issues at stake and works diligently with his clients to develop and negotiate terms and structures that work best for them. He is also a deal-maker who is able to connect lenders and borrowers in a way that is mutually beneficial for both parties. 

Brett’s practice focuses on all aspects of secured financings, with an emphasis on securitized and portfolio mortgage lending, mezzanine, construction and hospitality lending, credit facilities, and co-lending and participation arrangements. He also represents secondary market participants in the purchase and sale of real estate debt instruments, including the financing of such transactions. In addition, Brett often counsels clients in loan workouts and the restructuring of distressed loans.

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, Cornell Law School, Editor, Cornell International Law Journal, 1999

BS, Business Administration, University of Florida, cum laude, 1996

• Represented an institutional lender in the origination of a $141 million credit facility secured by an office building located in Seattle, Washington.
• Represented an institutional lender in the origination and syndication of a $206.5 million credit facility secured by an office building located in Denver, Colorado.
• Represented an institutional lender in the origination of a multi-billion dollar mortgage and mezzanine loan secured by assets of various types and classes.
• Represented a national bank in connection with the origination of a $55.5 million mortgage loan secured by an office building with ground floor retail in midtown Manhattan.
• Represented a major international bank in the origination of a $90 million construction loan for a project in lower Manhattan.
• Represented a REIT in the origination of a $65 million A/B structured mortgage loan secured by an office building with ground floor retail in lower Manhattan.
• Represented an institutional lender in a workout involving approximately $2 billion in debt.
• Represented an institutional lender in connection with the workout of a $214 million syndicated mortgage loan secured by a corporate center in South Florida.
• Represented a commercial real estate finance company in connection with the acquisition of a $130 million mezzanine loan.
• Represented a borrower in the workout of a $38.4 million securitized mortgage loan secured by a multifamily property in Nevada.
• Represented an institutional lender in the sale of several hundred million dollars in mortgage loans.
• Represented an institutional lender in the sale of $188 million of preferred equity.

• Selected as a Rising Star for Real Estate Law, New York Super Lawyers magazine, 2013-2014. A description of the selection methodology can be found on Super Lawyers’ webpage.

• Building Relationships: New York Real Estate Highlights
• Building Relationships: New York Real Estate Highlights