Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced the growth of its Real Estate Finance Practice with the addition of Beau Baker and Christopher McCranie in Jacksonville. They bring significant experience in secondary market portfolio and single asset loan sales and acquisitions, joint venture and preferred equity investments, and commercial real estate capital markets.
"Beau and Chris’ experiences further advance our capabilities for national lender and borrower clients involved in real estate transactions all across the United States," said Eric Rapkin, chair of Akerman's Real Estate Practice Group. "Beau has been actively involved in a wide range of real estate financing transactions throughout his career, and Chris' previous experience as in-house counsel at a real estate development firm gives him a unique perspective of the challenges that our clients tackle every day. We are excited to welcome this pair of talented lawyers with a very sophisticated skillset."
Akerman's financing capabilities have expanded significantly in recent months with the addition of a five-member specialized finance lawyer team in New York led by Alan Cohen, who currently serves as chair of the Real Estate Finance Practice. The team possesses leading experience in the financing of significant real estate transactions, specifically in the areas of institutional lending and equity for real estate transactions, having represented major financial institutions, mortgage REITs, and investment funds.
Beau Baker
Baker focuses his practice on real estate capital markets, securitizations, financial services, structured and commercial finance, creditors’ rights, loan portfolio management/servicing, and financial restructuring. He represents traditional and non-traditional lenders in a variety of transactions including secondary market portfolio and single asset loan sales/acquisitions, joint venture and preferred equity investments, warehouse and repo lending facilities, and bank and non-bank mezzanine, bridge, CMBS, and life insurance company loan originations.
Christopher McCranie
McCranie focuses his practice on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. He represents community, regional, and national institutional lenders in permanent and development loan transactions secured by real and personal property, as well as distressed asset loan workouts, foreclosures and bankruptcy. McCranie represents traditional and non-traditional lenders in a variety of transactions including secondary market portfolio and single asset loan sales/acquisitions, joint venture and preferred equity investments, warehouse and repo lending facilities, and bank and non-bank mezzanine, bridge, and CMBS loan originations. He also represents real estate developers in connection with the acquisition, development, and disposition of retail, hotel, single-family and multifamily properties.
About Akerman
Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized among the most forward thinking firms in the industry by Financial Times. Its more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and help drive 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.