Overview Robert Towsner, a Director, brings to his practice over 30 years of experience, focusing on corporate, real estate and tax matters including tax transactional and tax planning, REIT and UBTI tax planning and transactional structuring, entity restructurings, tax and non-tax aspects of partnerships and limited liability companies and structuring and documentation of complex tax-sensitive transactions. Representative Experience ˇ Structuring, documentation and formation of $250 million and $600 million mezzanine loan funds (with domestic and foreign investors). ˇ Formation of a multiple class, multi-asset "DownREIT". ˇ Joint venture between a private UpREIT and an investment banker for acquisition of a portfolio of properties in Cambridge, MA. ˇ Representation of Dutch investors in various U.S. joint ventures and wholly-owned real estate. ˇ Structuring and documentation for the acquirer of the two phase acquisition of Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA. ˇ Structuring, documentation and formation of $180 million real property fund (including contributions of properties by some of the investors). ˇ Representation of hotel investor/manager in connection with formation of opportunity funds. ˇ Representation of pension fund in multiple tranche joint venture for existing and to be developed office buildings. ˇ Design and implementation of a complex tax-deferred exchange program for a public residential REIT. ˇ Formation of group trusts for investment adviser, and documentation of the investment management agreement, trust agreements, and other related documentation. ˇ Representation of German insurance company in investment in U.S. real estate fund. ˇ Representation of private equity fund for tax and ERISA structuring and documentation and joint venture planning for acquisition of approximately $1.5 billion office building. ˇ Representation of various entities in purchases and sales of private REITs. ˇ Structuring and documentation of tax-deferred cash outs by various developers and investors. ˇ Representation of U.S. fund in potential joint ventures in China. ˇ Tax structuring and documentation for public REIT of development joint ventures. Speaking Engagements Joint Presentation in Tel Aviv on Israeli Investment in U.S. Real Estate, November 2009 Presentation to Meritas Law Firms, "Tax Considerations for Foreign Investors in U.S. Real Estate," April 2009 Presentation to Interlaw Law Firms, "Tax Consequences for International Investors in U.S. Real Estate Investment Trusts," January 2006 Press Releases September 2011
Allianz Real Estate Enters $200 Million Multi-Family Joint Venture January 2011
G&S Brings ULI/PwC Emerging Trends Report to Israel Advisories August 2010
A Real Estate Developer's Guide to Carried Interest Legislation February 2010
Tax Pitfalls for Purchasers of Distressed Debt September 2009
IRS Guidance Creates More Flexibility For Securitized Debt Modifications April 2009
New York State 2009-2010 Budget Bill Taxes Nonresident Individuals on Sale of Interests in New York Real Estate Holding Entities March 2009
U.S. Treasury and FDIC Solicit Comments on Public-Private Investment Funds and the Legacy Loans Program August 2008
New Housing Bill Includes Many Favorable REIT Provisions. Publications & Mentions August 2011
"Allianz and Archstone Enter $200M Multifamily JV," GlobeSt.com October 2010
"Blackstone pitching new fund targeting RE debt," Boston Business Journal September 2010
"A Developer's Guide to Carried Interest Proposals," Washington Business Journal Seminars & Events January 2011
Emerging Trends Conference: US Real Estate Investment in 2011 September 2010
Real Estate Joint Ventures and Funds Conference |