Am Law 100 firm Polsinelli welcomes real estate finance attorney John Vavas as Shareholder in the firm’s New York City office. Vavas brings a deep background in complex commercial loans, financings and workouts to the firm’s national Real Estate and Financial Services Department, which has added almost 100 attorneys across Polsinelli’s US platform in 2022.
“John is an outstanding attorney and we’re extremely excited he’s on our team. His unique skillset and perspective gained from serving in senior in-house legal roles in the commercial real estate finance industry together with his strong law firm experience will greatly help our team,” said John T. Duncan III, Chair of the Financial Services Division within Polsinelli’s Real Estate & Financial Services Department. “As our national real estate finance practice continues to grow, we are glad to add an attorney with his vast experience and unique perspective to our bench.”
Vavas’ practice focuses on commercial real estate finance, where he represents financial institutions and real estate funds in connection with single-lender and agented, multi-lender transactions. Vavas has experience coordinating the closing of newly originated commercial mortgage loans, acquiring existing commercial mortgage loans, and drafting and negotiating loan documentation. Additionally, he is skilled at representing various lenders in the origination of CMBS, portfolio, construction, mezzanine and syndicated loans secured by real estate, as well as managing the liquidation of legacy commercial real estate assets.
“I’m excited to start collaborating with Polsinelli’s talented New York City team, as well as other colleagues in Polsinelli offices coast-to-coast,” said Vavas. “Polsinelli is an innovative leader in real estate finance and I’m eager to be part of this dedicated team of respected attorneys.”
Vavas earned his bachelor’s degree in Japanese Studies and Management from Gettysburg College, and then earned his J.D. from New York Law School.
The leading practices in Polsinelli’s New York office include financial services, real estate finance, corporate, M&A, private equity, venture capital, investment management and funds, health care, bankruptcy, financial technology (fintech), privacy and cybersecurity, and intellectual property. Attorneys offer the experience and insight Polsinelli clients need to keep pace with ever-changing markets and technological innovations. With Gabriel Yomi Dabiri as Office Managing Partner, Polsinelli’s New York City office has emerged as a leader in driving superior client service while also prioritizing a healthy, positive and inclusive workplace culture for its attorneys and staff.
Polsinelli's Financial Services Division is recognized nationally for providing insightful and practical counsel to clients in all aspects of debt and equity financing. The firm handles a plethora of debt-related matters, including loan origination, servicing, sales and securitizations to financial restructuring, workouts, loan enforcement, and bankruptcy. The team was included in the 2021 “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News & World Report with the highest ranking, Tier 1, in the Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Real Estate Law and Public Finance Law categories.
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