Ken Schwartz has more than two decades of experience handling real estate and related transactional matters involving a wide range of asset classes and industries, including hospitality, senior living, multifamily, and office. He regularly takes the lead legal role in acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and commercial real estate, debt and equity financing transactions, and in the negotiation of joint venture agreements, design and construction contracts, and agreements relating to real estate development. Given the complex nature of the real estate transactions he handles, Ken's financing experience encompasses acquisition and construction loans, refinancings, lease financings, recapitalizations, workouts, and restructurings. In addition, Ken counsels clients with regard to structuring and transactional matters relating to the District of Columbia Tenants Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA).
Ken also has counseled private and public entities in connection with public-private partnerships, including issues relating to procurement, financing, risk management, design, and construction.
Ken received his law degree from The George Washington University Law School in 1992, where he was Notes Editor of The George Washington Law Review. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at The George Washington University Law School, teaching a class entitled "Modern Real Estate Transactions." He also is a past Chair of the Steering Committee of the Real Estate, Housing, and Land Use Section of the District of Columbia Bar.
Experience
- The District of Columbia Bar in the acquisition, financing, and development of a new headquarters facility.
- Acquisition and financing of a portfolio of skilled nursing facilities located in Texas using a master lease structure.
- Acquisition and financing of a senior living facility located in Louisiana using a RIDEA structure.
- Sale-leaseback of a corporate headquarters facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
- Local real estate investment and management company in the disposition of two downtown Washington, D.C. Class A office buildings.
- Refinancing of a multifamily property under Freddie Mac "CME" loan program.
- Negotiation of a construction contract for the construction of a new $40 million platinum LEED facility in La Jolla, California.
- Publicly traded REIT in the negotiation of a joint venture for the development and construction of 400-unit multifamily project.
- Major hospitality company in the acquisition of a $200 million hotel.
- Disposition of a 1,400 unit apartment complex located in Silver Spring, Maryland.
- Structuring of equity and debt financing in connection with a portfolio shopping center acquisition.
- Foreign pension fund in connection with investments in multiple large real estate-related-oriented private equity funds.
- Primary investor in connection with a joint venture for the acquisition of a 22-property hotel portfolio.
- Ownership group in connection with the financing and development of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C.
- Senior living facility real estate investment trust in the financing of multiple portfolio acquisitions.
- Financing and development of The Shakespeare Theatre Company's theatre facility at 620 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
- Ownership group in connection with the redevelopment of the Monaco Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Perspectives
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1992, with highest honors
- B.A., University of Pennsylvania, 1986, cum laude
Admissions
- District of Columbia
Activities
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Served as Chair, Steering Committee, Real Estate, Housing, and Land Use Section of the District of Columbia Bar
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Adjunct faculty member, "Modern Real Estate Transactions," The George Washington University Law School (2005-2008)
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Member, Board of Directors of Downtown BID
- Member, Board of Directors of Jewish Federation of Greater Washington