Howard is a nationally recognized real estate attorney who has been representing developers, operators, investors, and lenders in their most complex transactions for more than 40 years. He is a leading practitioner in the joint venture arena, adept at structuring sophisticated, multi-party agreements, and negotiating transactions involving diverse capital sources such as private equity, public finance, preferred equity, and senior debt. Howard also focuses his practice on guiding development of urban mixed-use projects that include hotel, apartment, retail, and/or office space.
With vast experience representing both institutional investors and operating partners, Howard offers a 360-degree perspective centered on a deep understanding of the needs and interests of all participants. He has earned a reputation for his ability to view a transaction not just in legal terms, but in business terms as well. He approaches every project with an eye toward fostering cooperation among all parties, identifying practical solutions, and achieving clients’ overarching business goals.
As counsel to owners across all commercial real estate asset classes, with particular focus on hotels, Howard has represented clients in the structuring, negotiation, and documentation of arrangements with lenders, tenants, franchisors, managers, and other constituent parties to address unforeseen stress in the real estate market. Owners of full-service, upscale, convention center, and other hotel properties turned to Howard for help on issues involving the closure, suspension, and limitation of service attendant to the coronavirus pandemic.
Howard's keen appreciation of client priorities comes in part from having devoted nearly 10 years to serving as a senior manager at two well-known Philadelphia-area real estate investment firms. He was director of acquisitions for a top 50 multifamily owner and operator, and chief investment and chief operating officer of a regional multifamily owner and operator whose portfolio included more than 30 assets in eight states. In these positions, Howard was responsible for sourcing, underwriting, financing, and closing multifamily property acquisitions, establishing and managing joint venture equity relationships, and directing the operations and management of the portfolio properties.
Howard is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and has served as a moderator and participant on a number of real estate industry panels. He is involved in a number of charitable endeavors through the Federation of Jewish Agencies, serving as a member of Jewish Federation Real Estate.