Thompson Coburn announced today the addition of Steven Smith as a partner in the Real Estate practice in Dallas. He brings a breadth of experience across complex real estate transactions, financing and bankruptcy proceedings, and will build upon Thompson Coburn's cross-functional service offering to its local commercial clients in Dallas and across the firm's national platform.
Smith's real estate practice spans the full lifecycle of commercial real estate ownership and financing, involving retail, multifamily, industrial, hospitality, medical, self-storage, residential and mixed-use properties. He primarily represents conduit and other lenders and borrowers involved in commercial real estate financing. He also handles assumptions, defeasance transactions, loan modifications, REMIC issues and other servicing issues for CMBS master and special servicers. Furthermore, he handles compliance and review of pooling and servicing agreements, real estate workouts, receiverships, foreclosures, bankruptcies, asset sales, litigation and the enforcement of lender remedies. His clients include commercial lenders, borrowers, and parties involved in non-real estate securitizations such as trustees, administrative agents and noteholders.
"Steven is a fantastic addition to our growing team in Texas," said Nicole Williams, managing partner of Thompson Coburn's Dallas office. "His strong background in complex commercial real estate transactions and bankruptcy work makes him an immediate asset to the firm as we expand our reach and strategic services across the region."
In addition to his transactional work, Smith has significant experience in commercial bankruptcy and restructuring. He counsels investors on insolvency strategies, advises on acquisitions through the Chapter 11 process and represents all major parties, including debtors, secured creditors, trustees and committees in commercial and real estate bankruptcy cases. He is also well-versed in bankruptcy litigation proceedings, such as preference and fraudulent transfer actions, automatic stay litigation, lien and priority disputes, contested confirmation proceedings and bankruptcy appeals.
"It's a pleasure to be joining Thompson Coburn, especially as its Dallas presence continues to grow at an impressive pace," said Smith. "I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues across practices locally and nationally to deliver innovative and comprehensive solutions to our clients."
Smith joins from Dorsey & Whitney. Prior to Dorsey, he was a member with Frost Brown Todd in Dallas and had previously opened the Dallas office of Perkins Coie, serving as its office managing partner. Smith earned his J.D. degree from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He holds a B.A. in political science and a B.S. in accounting (cum laude) from the University of Connecticut.