Sheppard is pleased to announce that Robert Katsnelson has joined the firm as a partner in the Finance & Bankruptcy practice group and Real Estate Finance industry team in New York. He was most recently a partner at Kirkland & Ellis.
Katsnelson's arrival underscores Sheppard's continued expansion in New York, where the firm has strategically grown its office to 180 lawyers after adding more than 50 attorneys across a wide number of practices in the past two years.
He advises domestic and foreign banks, private equity firms, insurance companies, sponsors, developers and owners on all aspects of real estate finance. His work spans mortgage and mezzanine financings, construction, bridge and term loan originations, middle market lending, preferred equity investments, securitized debt structures, loan participations, syndications and other co-lender and intercreditor arrangements, delivering clear strategic guidance through commercial and financial complexity.
With a deep understanding of the capital stack and the needs of both lenders and borrowers, Katsnelson represents senior and mezzanine lenders, secondary private credit market participants and borrowers seeking to maximize leverage while maintaining flexibility, and he brings a comprehensive view that anticipates challenges and aligns legal requirements with business objectives. He regularly advises on senior and subordination construction, bridge and term loan facilities, co-lending and syndication arrangements, intercreditor agreements and structures, note-on-note and other back-leverage financing structures, real estate debt securitizations and workouts, foreclosures and restructurings for distressed assets.
He has experience representing clients in financing transactions across a variety of asset classes, including data center, hospitality, industrial, mixed-use, multi-family, retail and office properties throughout the United States.
"As we continue to expand our national, top-tier real estate practice, we are excited to welcome Rob to further strengthen our ability to support clients on sophisticated transactions," said Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard. "His experience representing both lenders and borrowers across a broad range of structures aligns perfectly with our clients' needs, especially as they navigate shifting market conditions and evolving regulatory frameworks."
Kenneth Fox, co-leader of the firm's Finance & Bankruptcy practice group, said, "Rob is a strategic, solutions-driven advisor with deep experience across the capital stack. His ability to execute on sophisticated financings and guide clients through changing market conditions will be a significant addition to our practice and to clients we serve."
"I'm excited to join Sheppard and its collaborative team," said Katsnelson. "My goal is to help clients close deals with clarity and confidence, whether they're structuring new financing, navigating intercreditor dynamics or solving a distressed situation where speed and sound judgment matter."
Katsnelson obtained his B.A., cum laude, from New York University and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.