Robert Fernandez advises clients on corporate and real estate transactions, with a particular focus on finance, acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, commercial leasing, and real estate development.

Mr. Fernandez, a nationally recognized real estate lawyer, develops strategic legal and business solutions for a variety of institutional lenders, investors, developers, landlords, and tenants. His work encompasses a range of complex transactions involving all types of asset classes and property types, including hotels and resorts, offices, life science and medical research facilities, industrial facilities, shopping center developments, multifamily developments, and data centers.

Mr. Fernandez regularly advises institutional lenders, including commercial banks and debt funds, as well as sophisticated owners and developers, in the negotiation of credit agreements and related security documents. His work spans the credit stack, including senior secured, mezzanine, and preferred equity financings.

Mr. Fernandez also represents institutional real estate investors in acquisitions and dispositions of commercial real estate, as well as in real estate joint venture transactions throughout the United States. Additionally, he represents both landlords and tenants in commercial lease negotiations, with a focus on large anchor and headquarter leases.

A creative and collaborative problem solver, Mr. Fernandez draws on his experience representing both sides in a deal to anticipate and overcome potential obstacles. Mr. Fernandez is ranked as a leading lawyer for real estate in Illinois by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Mr. Fernandez plays a prominent role in various community and professional organizations. He currently serves as Chairman of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, an agency that promotes economic development and tourism for the Village of Downers Grove in Illinois. He is also a Board Member of the Chicago Civic Federation, one of Chicago’s oldest civic leadership and government research organizations. Mr. Fernandez is also a fellow of both Leadership Greater Chicago, a civic leadership development organization, and the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

While studying at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Mr. Fernandez served as Note and Comment Editor for the Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business.

 

Mr. Fernandez’s experience includes representing:

Financing

  • A REIT lender in connection with a US$556 million financing of a portfolio of 34 senior living facilities in 16 states
  • A seller in connection with seller-provided US$150 million financing on a portfolio of 16 senior living facilities in three states
  • A borrower in connection with a US$390 million senior mortgage and US$65 million mezzanine financing of an office building in Seattle, Washington

Acquisitions, Dispositions, and Joint Ventures

  • A real estate investment fund in connection with the acquisition, joint venture, and development of a 1.5 million rental square foot industrial distribution facility in Glendale, Arizona
  • A real estate investment fund in connection with the acquisition of a hotel and casino in Las Vegas
  • A real estate investment fund in connection with the acquisition, joint venture, and development of a 239-unit student housing development in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • A developer in connection with the joint venture, development, and financing of a hotel in the Fulton Market neighborhood of Chicago

Commercial Leasing

  • A financial services firm in connection with a 332,000 square foot office lease in a newly constructed Class A+ building located at 425 Park Avenue in New York City
  • Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND), a plant-based meat company, in connection with a brand new 280,000 square foot campus headquarters lease in El Segundo, California
  • A global hedge fund and trading firm in connection with a 540,000 square foot headquarters office lease at 131 S. Dearborn in Chicago

Bar Qualification

  • Illinois

Education

  • JD, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, 1999
    Harold Washington Scholar
  • BS, DePaul University, 1996
    with high honors

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Spanish