Haynes and Boone Adds Three More to New York Real Estate Practice

June 28, 2010 // Franchising.com // In a continued expansion of its New York-based real estate practice, Haynes and Boone, LLP has added three more attorneys. Stuart Mass will be a partner and brings with him Of Counsel Noah Shapiro and Associate Siobhan Green.

The attorneys were previously with Paul Hastings in New York and join seven prominent partners focusing on real estate finance, real estate restructurings and litigation added earlier this year from the same firm. The collective and complementary experience of the group establishes a comprehensive legal resource for firm clients, particularly top-tier real estate conglomerates, financial institutions, real estate funds and private equity groups.

"As our group grows and the economy improves, the opportunities for our clients and the practice will likewise grow," said Steven Koch, a real estate finance partner among the seven joining Haynes and Boone in its first round of expansion. "Stuart, Noah and Siobhan serve truly blue-chip leasing clients, so it is an exciting opportunity for Haynes and Boone."

New York Managing Partner Kenneth Bezozo added that Mr. Mass and Mr. Shapiro are respected and recognized leaders in their practice area. "We believe their addition makes a strong statement to the New York real estate market about our commitment to excellence," he said.

Stuart Mass devotes his practice to commercial real estate leasing transactions. He is routinely involved in several of the largest New York City leasing transactions each year, representing major landlords, such as SL Green and Brookfield Financial Properties, and premier tenants, such as Bertelsmann, Citigroup, Cushman & Wakefield, Cantor Fitzgerald and Soros Management Fund. Mr. Mass has been recognized by publications such as Chambers USA and Super Lawyers.

Mr. Shapiro and Ms. Green focus on all aspects of commercial leasing transactions. As part of Mr. Mass's client team they regularly represent the same top-tier clients.

"Stuart, Noah and Siobhan are lawyers who share our collaborative approach to practicing law, share our values and who will fit well within our firm," Mr. Bezozo said.

The partners making the move to Haynes and Boone earlier this year from Paul Hastings include Kenneth J. Friedman, Robert J. Grados, Steven Koch, Lawrence Mittman, Walter F. Schleimer and Carolyn Sullivan. Those six partners are focused on real estate, real estate finance and restructurings and bankruptcies. Also joining earlier this year from Paul Hastings was litigation partner David Fleischer. The group's collective experience has proved invaluable to Haynes and Boone clients, especially as restructurings, workouts and bankruptcies continue to create opportunities.

As a result of lateral hiring and internal transfers in recent months, Haynes and Boone has significantly bolstered its New York-based litigation, bankruptcy, securities regulation, white collar crime, finance and real estate capabilities. The firm has set an overall goal of expanding to at least 100 lawyers in New York in the next several years.

Haynes and Boone, LLP is an international corporate law firm with offices in Texas, New York, California, Washington, D.C., Mexico City and Moscow, providing a full spectrum of legal services. With almost 550 attorneys, Haynes and Boone is ranked among the largest law firms in the nation by The National Law Journal. The firm has been recognized as one of the "Best Corporate Law Firms in America" (Corporate Board Member Magazine, 2001-2009), as one of "The Best 20 Law Firms to Work For" (Vault.com, 2009), and as a Top 100 law firm for both diversity (MultiCultural Law Magazine, 2009) and women (Women 3.0, 2008).

###