Stuart M. Saft Joins Holland & Knight as Partner & Co-Chair of NY Real Estate Practice
Prominent Attorney to Enhance and Expand Firm’s NY Real Estate Practice
NEW YORK – May 1, 2012 – Holland & Knight today announced that Stuart M. Saft, a prolific real estate attorney with over four decades of industry experience, has joined the law firm as partner and co-chair of its New York Real Estate Practice Group. He comes to Holland & Knight from Dewey & LeBoeuf, where he was partner and chair of Dewey's Global Real Estate Practice. Mr. Saft will utilize his unparalleled experience and strong relationships to expand Holland & Knight’s real estate practice in a range of activities including major acquisitions, deal structuring, financing, leasing, development, condominium conversions and workouts.
"Bringing on board someone with Stuart's impressive background will significantly enhance our presence in the New York market," said Martin Miner, also co-chair of Holland & Knight's New York Real Estate Practice Group. Added William Honan, executive partner of the firm's New York office, "His decision to join us aligns perfectly with our strategy to strengthen and grow the office."
Mr. Saft’s client list reads like the industry’s Who’s Who and his work on behalf of major developers, investors and owners has shaped the real estate landscape throughout New York City and beyond. He has worked on many of the city’s most noteworthy deals and his vast experience has particularly come in to play in navigating some of the most challenging real estate markets. In addition to the deals Mr. Saft structures, he also works on behalf of lending institutions in mortgage lending and workouts, and has provided counsel to clients on dealings with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. He has also developed a subspecialty in privatizing public housing to provide home ownership and equity to its residents, and has worked with the Chinese and Russian governments in changing their forms of property ownership.
"Stuart is one of best legal minds in the real estate industry and a great addition to the Holland & Knight team," said Joe Guay, the firm's Real Estate Section leader. "His broad experience in the commercial real estate market will enhance the collaboration among our real estate lawyers, ultimately enabling us to better address a greater range of our clients’ needs both in New York City as well as throughout the United States."
"Holland & Knight has assembled one of the most talented and respected teams of real estate lawyers in the country," said Mr. Saft. "It is a privilege to move my practice and provide my clients, many of whom I’ve been fortunate to represent for decades, with a broader real estate platform that serves their evolving requirements.”
Mr. Saft is regularly interviewed by local, national and international press outlets on legal matters pertaining to business, residential and commercial real estate. An avid author, he has penned articles identifying issues of importance in the real estate industry sometimes years before they reached the public’s consciousness including pieces that have appeared in The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Recognizing the limited information available about commercial real estate law, he has authored 28 books on the subject.
In addition to his legal and publishing work, he serves in leadership roles for many industry organizations. He is currently chairman of the National Consumer Cooperative Bank and chairman emeritus of New York City's Workforce Investment Board, where he was commended for his service by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He is a recipient of the Theodore Small Award from the National Association of Workforce Boards for his work establishing the Family Centers after the September 11 terrorist attacks and the "Dedicated to Industry Award" from the New York Association of Realty Managers. He also has been selected into the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.
With the addition of Mr. Saft, Holland & Knight now has three New York partners who are members of the prestigious American College of Real Estate Lawyers. The others are Mr. Miner and Lawrence Wolk.