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Dennis Kiely

Dennis Kiely

Partner
About

Dennis Kiely focuses his practice on the acquisition, disposition, financing, joint venturing, leasing, and development of domestic and international real estate interests. Among his clients are domestic and international corporations, funds, real estate investment trusts, commercial and investment banks, non-bank lenders, and private developers. He has extensive expertise advising Korea-based asset managers and funds on their real estate investments abroad, particularly in the United States.

Dennis is skilled in negotiating, documenting, and closing debt and equity transactions in the hospitality, office, retail, multifamily, industrial, data center, and specialty real estate sectors. He advises on the structuring, formation, and governance of real estate funds and joint ventures. His financing counsel experience includes secured and unsecured, traditional and securitized debt, mezzanine loans, and preferred equity transactions. He is experienced in distressed situations, workouts, and foreclosures, including the arbitration and litigation of real property disputes.

Bar admissionsNew York

EXPERIENCE

  • Represented a Korean investor and U.S. advisor in the $359 million acquisition, financing, and refinancing of the headquarters of a U.S. Government agency in Washington, D.C.
  • Represented a U.S. and Korean investment group in the acquisition, financing, and $900 million disposition of a 7-property East Coast industrial portfolio.
  • Represented a Korean investor and U.S. advisor in the $326 million sale of a movie studio in Glendale, California.
  • Represented a Korean asset manager in the $351 million acquisition of the controlling interest in, and financing of, an office building in Dallas.
  • Represented a Korean investor in the $691 million acquisition of the controlling interest in, and financing of, an office building in Seattle.
  • Represented a Korean asset manager in the acquisition of a $61 million mezzanine loan secured by a pledge in all of the membership interests in the owner of a first-class hotel on the Lower East Side of New York City and subsequent workout and note sale.
  • Represented a Korean asset manager and U.S. advisor in the acquisition of a $190 million senior mezzanine loan secured by a pledge in all of the membership interests in the owner of an office building in Midtown Manhattan.
  • Represented various Korean banks on their mortgage originations and modifications secured by offices, hotels, multifamily, and industrial properties throughout the United States.
  • Represented a U.S. developer on numerous acquisition, financing, and refinancing transactions with respect to its portfolio of offices, hotels and golf courses located in the United States and Scotland.
Education
  • J.D., Columbia Law School

  • B.A., Columbia University

Publications and media

  • Co-Author, "NY C-PACE: Local Law 96, Local Law 97, and How C-PACE May Be Coming Into Its Own," New York Law Journal, June 19, 2023
  • Author, "COVID-19: Tips for Prenegotiation Letter Agreements in Loan Workouts," July 16, 2020
  • "Hunger Games: How Competing HVCRE Policy Proposals May Affect Competition Between Banks and Non-Bank Lenders," CRE Finance World, 8 January 2018

Seminars

  • Moderator, "Upside Down: Exit Strategies and Negotiation Tips When "Handing Back the Keys" May be in the Cards," ABA Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section National CLE Conference (May 2024)
  • Moderator, "When the Plan Goes Awry: Making the Best of Mortgage Modifications," ABA Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section National CLE Conference (May 2023)
  • Speaker, "When the Plan Goes Awry: Making the Best of Mortgage Modifications," ABA Real Property, Trusts and Estates Section Spring National Conference (April 2022)
  • Moderator, "Trouble at the Park Hotel: The Fictional Challenges of a Luxury Hotel Struggling to Stay Afloat and Avoid Foreclosure During a Global Pandemic," ABA Real Property, Trusts and Estates Section Spring National Conference (April 2021)

Media Mentions

Prior Experience

Prior to joining the firm, Dennis served as partner at an international law firm in New York.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Member, Urban Land Institute, Global Exchange Council
  • Chair, Real Estate Financing Group, American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section
  • Member, Commercial Real Estate Finance Council (CREFC)
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Fellow-Elect, American College of Mortgage Attorneys

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