Kirkland Adds Partners Matthew Bettinger and Seth Henslovitz to Real Estate Practice
Kirkland & Ellis announced today that Matthew Bettinger and Seth Henslovitz have joined the Firm as partners in the Real Estate Practice Group.
“Matt and Seth are talented real estate finance lawyers and rising leaders in this area,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. “We’re thrilled to have them join the team.”
Mr. Bettinger represents clients in connection with commercial real estate finance. He has advised investment funds, real estate investment trusts, insurance companies and banks on a variety of financing transactions. He has experience in loan originations and syndications, as well as debt restructurings. The Legal 500 U.S. recognized Mr. Bettinger as a “Rising Star” in the Real Estate Finance category, and the New York Real Estate Law Journal listed him in its “Ones to Watch” Rising Star category.
Mr. Henslovitz counsels both borrowers and lenders on financing commercial mortgage and mezzanine debt, workouts and debt restructurings. His clients have included real estate private equity funds, real estate investment trusts and insurance companies, and owners and developers of commercial office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, residential complexes, industrial properties and undeveloped land. He has been recognized as a “Next Generation Lawyer” by The Legal 500 U.S., and one of “Fifty Under 40” by Real Estate Forum.
“Matt and Seth will be great additions to our real estate team,” said real estate partner Victoria Shusterman. “They bring breadth and depth in terms of experience guiding some of the most complex financing deals for real estate clients and are both recognized within the industry as up-and-coming leaders.”
Mr. Bettinger joins from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, where he was a partner. He earned degrees from Yale University, Fordham University School of Law and Brandeis University.
“I am excited to be a part of a real estate team with the experience and reputation that Kirkland has,” said Mr. Bettinger. “The group is an excellent fit for my own practice, and I am excited to join new colleagues and to work together to serve clients.”
Mr. Henslovitz joins from Schulte Roth & Zabel, where he was a partner. He earned degrees from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“I have worked across from many Kirkland lawyers and have always been impressed with their skill and knowledge of the industry,” said Mr. Henslovitz. “I look forward to calling these talented professionals my colleagues.”
Kirkland’s leading Real Estate Finance Practice services both lenders and borrowers in a wide variety of real estate financing transactions across the entire capital structure. The Firm has substantial experience in every type of real estate financing transaction, advising on structuring, negotiation and documentation of mortgage financings, mezzanine financings, term and revolving credit facilities, secured and unsecured general and working capital loans, balance sheet and debt financings and asset securitization financings.