Benesch

Eisenberg Wild Cleveland-based Benesch recently added about 20 lawyers from Reed Smith, expanding its real estate practice and its ability to handle complex financing. The move increases Benesch’s national real estate group from about 65 to 85 lawyers. It also supports the opening of an office in Miami and strengthens the firm’s presence in New York. The incoming lawyers focus on commercial real estate finance, secondary-market transactions and complex lending. They represent banks, debt funds, private credit providers, institutional investors, lenders, borrowers and developers.

“This was a unique opportunity to add an exceptionally talented team that aligns with both our strategic priorities and our culture,” Benesch managing partner Gregg Eisenberg, said. He said the addition enables the firm to expand its real estate practice, strengthen its New York operation and establish a Miami presence at the same time. It also adds structured finance and securitization services that Benesch did not previously offer at the same level. The group is led by Jodi Schwimmer, formerly global co-lead of Reed Smith’s financial industry group, and Randy Eckers, a real estate finance attorney with more than 25 years of experience.

” Sokoloff and Amanda Rapp. Jeff Wild, Benesch’s real estate practice group chair and chief strategy partner, said clients can now work with one team throughout the financing process. “Clients can now work with lawyers who understand the full financing lifecycle, from origination and lending through secondary market execution and securitization, which creates a more seamless and strategic experience,” he said. The team handles complex real estate loans and transactions in which groups of loans are packaged and sold to investors. The addition allows Benesch to help clients originate and finance transactions, evaluate financing alternatives and gain access to capital markets.

Wild said the expanded practice will allow Benesch to pursue more sophisticated financing, securitization and secondary-market transactions while continuing to serve traditional real estate lenders, borrowers and developers. The move is also part of Benesch’s broader expansion strategy. “We identified real estate and finance as areas where we wanted to continue investing, and this addition strengthens one of our most successful practices while adding meaningful new capabilities,” Eisenberg said. He said Miami had been under consideration for some time because Benesch already had client relationships and business connections in South Florida.