Stroock Continues National Expansion with Addition of Eight Real Estate Attorneys in Washington, DC and New York

NEW YORK, May 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP is pleased to announce the addition of eight attorneys, including three partners, from DLA Piper to the Firm's national Real Estate Practice Group.  Joining the Firm's Washington, DC office are partner Jeffrey R. Keitelman, who will serve as a member of the Firm's Executive Committee, co-chair of the Real Estate Practice Group and co-managing partner of the Washington, DC office, and partner Kim Pagotto.  Joining the Firm's New York office is partner Marc Hurel.  In addition, of counsels Richard Cohn, Jonathan A. Cohen and Joseph F. Miller; special counsel Hala M. Sibay; and associate Kelly Booker will also join the Firm.

"As we continue to expand the Firm in strategic areas of growth, the addition of these three partners greatly enhances our market-leading national Real Estate Practice Group," said Stuart Coleman, Stroock's co-managing partner.  "Each partner has extensive experience and knowledge across their industry that will serve Stroock's clients well."

"Stroock's national real estate practice is recognized for its ability to complete large complex deals.  Adding a team of attorneys of this caliber will further enhance our capabilities in acquisitions, development, financing and leasing to serve the needs of our industry-leading clients," stated Brian Diamond, co-chair of Stroock's Real Estate Practice Group and a member of the Firm's Executive Committee.

Founding partner of the Washington office, Chris Griner said, "I am pleased to welcome an attorney of Jeff's stature to Stroock.  Jeff, and the team he brings with him, will expand the reach of our top-notch real estate practice."

Mr. Keitelman, who was one of DLA Piper's leading real estate partners, works with local, national and international investors, owners, occupiers, managers and brokers in acquisition, disposition, leasing, development, financing, joint ventures, property management and related matters involving office, industrial, retail, residential and mixed-use properties.  Prior to joining Stroock, Mr. Keitelman was a member of DLA Piper's Executive Committee, and head of their Government Real Estate, Corporate Real Estate and Green Real Estate teams.  He received his J.D. from Columbia University as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and his B.A. from Brown University, magna cum laude.

"We are excited to join a firm with a true partnership model and an outstanding group of real estate attorneys who have an exceptional reputation in the marketplace," noted Mr. Keitelman. 

Ms. Pagotto practices in the areas of commercial real estate leasing, finance, government leasing and development.  She has experience with acquisitions, dispositions and leasing of office, retail, industrial, telecommunications, utility and multifamily residential projects.  Ms. Pagotto also has significant experience in the area of government real estate, particularly General Services Administration leasing.  She received her J.D. from the University of Michigan and her B.A. from the University of Michigan, with honors.

Mr. Hurel's practice includes all areas of real estate, including sales and acquisitions, leasing, development, financing and joint ventures in New York and throughout the United States.  He has represented a major real estate investment advisor in joint ventures for the development of office buildings, shopping centers, multi-family residential and industrial warehouse projects.  He received his J.D. from New York University and his B.A. from Tufts University, magna cum laude.

Over the last six months Stroock has bolstered its national presence with the addition of 23 attorneys across all of Stroock's offices in practice areas including Energy and Project Finance, Financial Services/Class Action, Insurance, Litigation, Private Funds, and Real Estate.

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP is a law firm providing transactional, regulatory and litigation guidance to leading financial institutions, multinational corporations, investment funds and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and abroad.  Our emphasis on excellence and innovation has enabled us to maintain long-term relationships with our clients and made us one of the nation's leading law firms for almost 140 years.  Stroock's practice areas include capital markets/securities, commercial finance, mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, private equity, private funds, commodities and derivatives, employment law and benefits, energy and project finance, entertainment, environmental law, financial restructuring, financial services litigation, government relations, insurance, intellectual property, investment management, litigation, national security/CFIUS, personal client services, real estate, structured finance and tax. 

SOURCE Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP