Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

Overview

Gibson Dunn’s Real Estate Investment Trust Practice Group provides services in the deal, tax and litigation-related aspects of REIT investing.

The REIT group’s deal experience includes capital markets work, representing all parties in public and private transactions that include initial public offerings and debt and equity offerings. The group also handles:

• Acquisitions and dispositions of REITs and their assets, including joint ventures and spin-offs
• Tax issues encountered by public and private REITs
• REIT formation or conversion
• Ongoing REIT operations
• REIT sale or liquidation

We pride ourselves on keeping abreast of the latest trends and issues, which allows us to advise on business and investment strategies, going beyond mere legal concerns. Our team of lawyers is skilled in virtually all REIT structures in the marketplace and all forms of real-estate-related assets owned by REITs.

Our clients include key players in all aspects of REIT transactions, such as sponsors, issuers, investment banks, lenders and investors. Tax issues typically drive the initial structuring of REITs, the development of their business strategies, and the ongoing maintenance of REIT status under tax laws.

The in-depth knowledge of Gibson Dunn’s tax practitioners is a critical element of our practice. Our team regularly advises on proper structuring to achieve tax-efficient business objectives and to facilitate target investors’ involvement. Investors may be taxable, tax-exempt or international, each presenting unique tax concerns. Our tax practitioners have a wealth of experience advising both real property and mortgage REITs, as well as integrating private REITs into investment fund structures.

Our practice includes prelitigation counseling and litigation for complex cases. The group’s significant experience in specialized REIT transactions, combined with Gibson Dunn’s acclaimed Litigation practice, enable us to provide a sophisticated level of representation and counsel to REITs facing litigation.