SAN DIEGO — January 31, 2013 — GERSON LAW FIRM APC continued strong growth in 2012 cementing its reputation as the leading west coast law firm representing financial institutions across the US. The firm, which last year closed 136 commercial loans from coast to coast, specializes in all aspects of real estate, real estate finance and related litigation.

Managing Partner Gordon L. Gerson said GERSON LAW FIRM has emerged as San Diego’s largest law practice representing financial institutions. “No other San Diego firm with a financial institutions practice has a national reputation, and no other other small firm nationally has the same skill set, ability and agility to compete with the national firms,” Gerson said.

He said the firm has an active institutional and mortgage banking practice and provides a range of services in loan closings for both the traditional banking industry and private funds — including loans secured by commercial, industrial, anchored retail, multi-family and other character properties.

“For the past decade, the firm’s volume of commercial/multifamily loan closings on lender engagements has annually ranked among the highest, if not the highest, in the western United States,” said Gerson. “The firm is also recognized for its expertise in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily lending, with a superior understanding of GSE loan products. In fact, more GERSON LAW FIRM lawyers close GSE loans that any other firm in the western US, and in 2012 closed more than 175 GSE loans.

With eight full-time lawyers in its finance practice, the firm acts as national counsel to some lenders on loans closing throughout the United States, as well as regional closing counsel to lenders on loans closing in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.

It has also worked closely with credit unions in California entering the market with commercial real estate lending programs, and assisted not only with building programs from ground up, but in developing and enhancing credit union loan participation programs.
Gerson said GERSON LAW FIRM is adept at handling loans from “cradle to grave.” In addition to loan originations the firm is actively engaged in all aspects of implementing loan loss mitigation strategies on commercial loans, including receiverships, foreclosures and other enforcement actions.

“By affiliating on a regular basis on cases with other firms with outstanding regional and national reputations, including some of the largest firms in the United States, GERSON LAW FIRM has expanded its litigation reach across the United States, said Gerson, who since 2008 has been named a Best Lawyers in America, and since 2007 selected for California Super Lawyer recognition. “Since 1978, GERSON LAW FIRM has been engaged in matters involving more than 275 distressed commercial real estate loans in all regions of the country. Our clients cite our tenaciousness and creativity as our firm’s approach to loan loss mitigation.”

Gerson said as the economy continues to improve in 2013, GERSON LAW FIRM will see an increase in commercial loan originations. “The amount of capital chasing deals today is higher than anytime in memory,” said Gerson, whose firm pioneered CMBS loan closings on the west coast in the 1990s. “On the other hand, even as the economy improves, there will be an overhang of bad debt emanation out of loose underwriting in 2006 through 2008. A total of $85 million of CMBS loans alone will mature prior to 2018 and the default percentage will likely remain the same as today, continuing to hover around 10-11% based upon some reports.”
Named one of the Best Law Firms in America by US News, GERSON LAW FIRM is also nationally recognized for its real estate practice, representing tenants in leasing-related activities and shopping center owners in landlord-tenant litigation.

About GERSON LAW FIRM
GERSON LAW FIRM APC represents clients on all matters real estate and business related, both transactional and litigation. GERSON LAW FIRM APC is nationally recognized for its representation of some of the nation’s largest lenders on loan closings, special servicing, and enforcement proceedings throughout the United States. GERSON LAW FIRM APC practice includes representing lenders closing loans under Fannie Mae’s DUS Lending Program and Freddie Mac’s Program Plus for multifamily investments. GERSON LAW FIRM APC represents major national banks, life insurance companies, and private funds in all matters lending related, including originations and loss mitigation strategies, for hotels, office buildings, shopping centers, multifamily and construction. For more information, www.gersonlaw.com.