Kim Le and Christopher Gorman have been named co-chairs of Duval & Stachenfeld LLP (D&S)’s real estate practice group, one of the largest real estate law practices in New York City.
Le and Gorman both joined D&S as associates in 2004. Over the course of their respective careers, each has served as legal counsel on billions of dollars of complex real estate transactions, including platform creation, portfolio acquisitions, multi-layered financings, and complex joint-venture equity partnerships.
For D&S, this announcement marks a natural progression in the leadership of the real estate practice and the firm more broadly. In 2018, the real estate practice’s longtime chair, Terri Adler, was named the firm’s managing partner. Now, Adler is handing the day-to-day reins of the real estate practice to Le and Gorman as she continues in her role as managing partner.
“We take great pride in being a firm that provides a platform on which our attorneys and employees can craft their careers and achieve their individual goals. Of course, externally our focus is providing great legal service to our real estate clients and helping them grow their businesses, but internally our goal is to nurture and support career growth. This transition underscores the success we have had in this regard,” said Adler. “From the moment Kim and Chris joined the firm, they have been two of the greatest contributors to our culture. They both have incredible leadership skills, not just IQ but EQ, and are admired and respected both internally and externally by our clients. With Kim and Chris at the helm, our real estate group is equipped to meet the rapidly changing needs of our attorneys and our clients during these uncertain times.”
Le’s experience spans thousands of complex joint venture transactions across all property types and all client types, from operating partners and developers to public companies, sovereign wealth funds and funds. In addition to joint ventures, Le focuses on complex real estate transactions involving cross-border issues, ground leases, preferred equity, and recapitalizations. In addition to her client-facing roles, Le is also a member of the firm’s management committee.
Gorman has established himself as a powerhouse in the formation of real estate platforms in addition to his in-depth experience in acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, financings, restructurings and developments in all real estate asset classes. Gorman specializes in adding value and insight to his clients’ business objectives by drawing on his experience and industry knowledge to provide invaluable recommendations and advice on even the most complex transactions. Gorman’s clients include major financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, developers, and funds.
