Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, continues the growth of its national Real Estate Practice Group with the addition of partner William Bernfeld in Los Angeles. Bernfeld enhances Akerman’s core strengths in financial services and commercial real estate, with an emphasis on structured finance and financing vehicles for institutional lenders and clients across the capital stack. He is the latest addition to Akerman’s expansion in Los Angeles, which prompted the firm to relocate to The CalEdison DTLA.
“Bill brings decades of experience in various facets of commercial real estate, helping clients to advance their strategic investing and development goals,” said Eric Rapkin, chair of the Real Estate Practice Group. “His arrival further strengthens our core capabilities for clients in California and nationwide.”
William Bernfeld
Bernfeld focuses his practice on real estate and commercial law. He regularly assists clients in complex financing transactions and acquisitions, dispositions and leasing of real estate projects in a variety of sectors and asset classes, including office, retail, restaurant, hospitality and industrial. He counsels and leads teams for lenders to provide permanent, construction and distressed project financing, as well as handling asset-based and commercial lending transactions on behalf of institutional clients. Additionally, Bernfeld’s background as a bankruptcy lawyer uniquely positions him to assist clients with distressed real estate transactions, including loan workouts and other restructuring needs.
Bernfeld joins Akerman’s experienced group of real estate lawyers, named by Law360 as one of the largest legal teams in the real estate sector. In the last year, the Real Estate Practice Group has welcomed former Broward County Attorney Joni Armstrong Coffey as partner in Miami, in addition to a leading team of four land use and zoning partners in Chicago headed by veteran lawyer John “Jack” George. Other recent additions to the firm include Corporate Finance and Lending Practice Co-Chair Robert Stein in New York and Austin, Texas, Office Managing Partner Todd Reed, whose combined financial services and development experience bolsters Akerman’s transactional strengths.
The latest addition to Akerman’s Los Angeles team, Bernfeld is part of a thriving team that has expanded in recent months to include partners Kanika Corley in the Litigation Practice Group and Caroline Mankey in the Intellectual Property Practice Group, Zachary Bulthuis in the Labor and Employment Practice Group and Kitty Ryan, a former deputy assistant director for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Regulations. Associates Jade Brewster in the Labor and Employment Practice Group and Aaron Garcia in the Real Estate Practice Group have also joined the office since January 2018.
About Akerman
Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized by Financial Times as among the most forward thinking firms in the industry. Its more than 650 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and overcome barriers to innovation and growth. Akerman is known for its results in middle market M&A and complex disputes, and for helping clients achieve their most important business objectives in the financial services, real estate, and other dynamic sectors across the United States and Latin America.
Akerman’s Real Estate Practice Group offers comprehensive and fully integrated project counsel services to clients across the United States and Latin America. With substantial industry experience and local market insights, the firm represents clients in complex real estate transactions and financings, development and redevelopment projects, public-private initiatives and litigation. Recognized as a national tier one law firm for real estate law by U.S. News - Best Lawyers, the group advises investors, developers, builders, lenders, retailers, owners and corporate end users, often in high profile matters.