DLA Piper announced today that Nina Momtazee Sitzer has joined the Real Estate practice as a partner in the Chicago office. Prior to joining DLA Piper, Sitzer was a partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.
“Nina is a well-recognized real estate authority in Chicago who has significant experience handling high-profile real estate transactions across the country,” said Jay Epstien, chair of DLA Piper’s US Real Estate practice. “Her established industry reputation, as well as her unique capability to handle complex transactional matters, will make her a strong addition to DLA Piper’s top-ranked Real Estate practice.”
Sitzer focuses her practice on commercial real estate law with an emphasis on acquisition, disposition, development, leasing and financing transactions. Representing a variety of real estate developers, REITs and owners, Sitzer has handled a number of notable complex real estate transactions throughout her 18-year career, including:
- The development and financing of condominium and apartment projects throughout the country for a national developer
- Structuring and negotiation of joint ventures to acquire, ground lease, finance and develop medical office buildings for a publicly traded healthcare REIT
- The acquisition and disposition of millions of square feet of office assets in major US markets, including a REIT acquisition of a 21-building portfolio and affiliated property management company
- The non-bankruptcy liquidation of the real estate portfolio of a large insurance company
- The formation of joint ventures and the acquisition and redevelopment of telecom carrier hotel projects throughout the United States.
“Nina’s addition to the firm is a notable milestone in strategic growth of the Chicago Real Estate practice at a time when there is a great deal of uncertainty in the marketplace, yet a need for sophisticated counsel on complex deals,” said Richard Klawiter, chair of DLA Piper’s Chicago Real Estate practice. “We are thrilled to have her join us in Chicago and welcome her to the firm’s leading Real Estate practice.”
Earlier this fall, Commercial Property Executive magazine ranked DLA Piper as the top Real Estate Law Firm in the United States. In June, Chambers & Partners, the leading international research firm, recognized DLA Piper’s Real Estate practice group as the leading real estate practice in the United States with its 2011 Award of Excellence. DLA Piper became the first and only firm to receive the prestigious award twice, having also earned this honor in 2008.
In addition, The International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers recognized DLA Piper as the 2011 International Real Estate Law Firm of the Year. DLA Piper has earned this recognition every year since it was established in 2005.
Sitzer earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Northwestern Law School.
