Daniel S. Huffenus

Daniel S. Huffenus is Head of the Charlotte Real Estate Practice. He has a sophisticated commercial real estate finance practice that is national in scope and covers all asset types. Mr. Huffenus has extensive experience representing real estate capital markets lenders in the origination of commercial mortgage loans. He is particularly well-versed in issues related to lending transactions involving tenants-in-common in which multiple investors aggregate 1031 exchange proceeds to acquire and finance investment property offered by 1031 sponsors.

Mr. Huffenus has significant experience representing servicers of commercial mortgage loans in a variety of areas, in particular the defeasance of securitized loans. His recent experience includes the modification and restructuring of distressed commercial mortgage loans. Mr. Huffenus also has represented 1031 sponsors in structuring tax-driven tenants-in-common transactions; real estate investors and developers in purchasing and selling real estate, forming development entities and negotiating financing documents; and national retailers in connection with buying, leasing and developing store locations.

In addition to his real estate experience, Mr. Huffenus has represented a large national financial services client in connection with prime brokerage matters.

Mr. Huffenus received his B.A. in economics, cum laude, from Lafayette College and his M.S. in real estate development from Columbia University. He also attended the London School of Economics and Political Science. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Huffenus worked for several years as a consultant in a national real estate consulting practice, where he assisted institutional investors and financial institutions in the evaluation of real estate portfolios and the development of real estate acquisition and disposition strategies.

Mr. Huffenus graduated from New York University School of Law, where he was a member of the New York University Law Review. Prior to entering private practice, he served as a law clerk for Justice Stewart G. Pollock of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Mr. Huffenus has been a lecturer at several in-house and external seminars. He has been listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2009–2011) and in The Best Lawyers in America (2007–2012), and has been selected as a North Carolina Super Lawyer every year since 2006.

Publications

• "The GGP Case—What It Means for Lenders," Katten Client Advisory (June 3, 2009)
• "A Survival Guide for CMBS Borrowers: Navigating Through Unchartered Waters," Business Leader Legal Guide (May 2009)
• "Dolan Meets Nollan: Towards a Workable Takings Test for Development Exactions Cases," New York University Environmental Law Journal (1995)