The Firm: This diverse, 15-partner team handles a broad range of real estate work, including property acquisitions, financings and the creation of REITs. It has strong leasing expertise and regularly advises major clients on significant commercial leasing transactions, such as acting for Hermès of Paris on the leasing for retail locations throughout the country. The team also represented SJP Properties in the lease for Eleven Times Square. Other clients include AIG, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo, as well as a number of luxury retailers.

Sources Say: "The attorneys are very experienced, knowledgeable and completely committed to client service. They are considered among the select experts in the industry for their specialized fields of practice."

Key Individuals: Ronald Sernau is praised as a "smart thoughtful guy" and noted for the breadth of his expertise: "He can do a financing deal, an investment sale deal or a leasing deal." He successfully represented Hines Interests in the $485 million sale of 750 Seventh Avenue.

Steven Lichtenfeld is "a brilliant real estate attorney with experience in many asset classes." He acted for American Realty Properties on its $70 million REIT IPO, and has also tackled a number of debt restructurings for UBS Securities.

David Weinberger recently handled the financing of 1540 Broadway on behalf of CBRE.

Peter Fass is noted for his expertise in syndicated partnerships and his experience with funds and REITs. He advised American Realty Capital and Realty Capital Securities as issuer and underwriter on a number of REITs.