The Seattle-based law firm ""Perkins Coie"":http://www.perkinscoie.com has opened a new office in Dallas. The firm says the expansion will allow it to better serve the interests of national clients in Texas.
[IMAGE]Former Greenberg Traurig shareholder, Steven R. Smith, has joined the firm and will be partner in charge of the office. Smith will focus his practice on commercial real estate workouts and lending.
The firm said the addition of Smith also helps Perkins Coie expand its representation of commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) special servicer clients â€" many of which have offices in Dallas.
According to Smith, Perkins Coie provides a solid platform for expanding the CMBS special servicer practice.
[COLUMN_BREAK]In addition to working with CMBS special servicers, Smith will represent conduit and other lenders involved in the financing of commercial real estate. In this regard, Smith has experience working with defeasance transactions, assumptions, loan modifications, REMIC tax issues, pooling and servicing agreement compliance and review, real estate workouts, receiverships, foreclosure, bankruptcies, asset dispositions, litigation, and loan sales.
""We are committed to expanding our real estate capabilities and Steve will help us pursue that strategic goal,†said Managing Partner Bob Giles.
Smith joins a real estate group of nearly 50 attorneys that provides clients with services encompassing the full range of commercial real estate and development issues. In addition to loan restructurings and workouts, the team has experience in a wide variety of projects, including resort hotels, golf course and housing developments, mixed use projects, corporate campuses, retirement communities, industrial facilities, and public/private developments.
The group helps clients with the financing, acquisition, development, and disposition of major projects nationally and internationally, as well as the lease and sublease of commercial space.
Perkins Coie operates from 14 offices in the United States and has an international presence through its offices in Beijing and Shanghai.