Sheppard is pleased to announce that Robert Katsnelson has joined the firm as a partner in the Finance & Bankruptcy practice group and Real Estate Finance industry team in New York. He was most recently a partner at Kirkland & Ellis.
Katsnelson’s arrival underscores Sheppard’s continued expansion in New York, where the firm has strategically grown its office to 180 lawyers after adding more than 50 attorneys across a wide number of practices in the past two years.
He advises domestic and foreign banks, private equity firms, insurance companies, sponsors, developers and owners on all aspects of real estate finance. His work spans mortgage and mezzanine financings, construction, bridge and term loan originations, middle market lending, preferred equity investments, securitized debt structures, loan participations, syndications and other co-lender and intercreditor arrangements, delivering clear strategic guidance through commercial and financial complexity.
With a deep understanding of the capital stack and the needs of both lenders and borrowers, Katsnelson represents senior and mezzanine lenders, secondary private credit market participants and borrowers seeking to maximize leverage while maintaining flexibility, and he brings a comprehensive view that anticipates challenges and aligns legal requirements with business objectives. He regularly advises on senior and subordination construction, bridge and term loan facilities, co-lending and syndication arrangements, intercreditor agreements and structures, note-on-note and other back-leverage financing structures, real estate debt securitizations and workouts, foreclosures and restructurings for distressed assets.
He has experience representing clients in financing transactions across a variety of asset classes, including data center, hospitality, industrial, mixed-use, multi-family, retail and office properties throughout the United States.
“As we continue to expand our national, top-tier real estate practice, we are excited to welcome Rob to further strengthen our ability to support clients on sophisticated transactions,” said Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard. “His experience representing both lenders and borrowers across a broad range of structures aligns perfectly with our clients’ needs, especially as they navigate shifting market conditions and evolving regulatory frameworks.”
Kenneth Fox, co-leader of the firm’s Finance & Bankruptcy practice group, said, “Rob is a strategic, solutions-driven advisor with deep experience across the capital stack. His ability to execute on sophisticated financings and guide clients through changing market conditions will be a significant addition to our practice and to clients we serve.”
“I’m excited to join Sheppard and its collaborative team,” said Katsnelson. “My goal is to help clients close deals with clarity and confidence, whether they’re structuring new financing, navigating intercreditor dynamics or solving a distressed situation where speed and sound judgment matter.”
Katsnelson obtained his B.A., cum laude, from New York University and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
About Sheppard’s Finance & Bankruptcy Practice
Sheppard’s Finance & Bankruptcy practice has been a key element of the firm's practice since its founding almost 100 years ago. Our attorneys represent a broad spectrum of Fortune 500 companies, midsized companies, financial institutions, hedge funds, private credit lenders and private equity funds. As part of a large, broad-based commercial law firm, we are able to draw on all of the resources necessary to help businesses expand and also to solve the multidisciplinary problems presented by business insolvencies. Our team has the resources to respond seamlessly to the needs of our clients whatever size team is required.
About Sheppard’s Real Estate Finance Industry Team
Sheppard’s Real Estate Finance team provides comprehensive counsel on complex transactions across all asset classes and capital structures nationwide. We represent a broad range of financial institutions including banks, debt funds, private credit lenders, insurance companies and private equity sponsors in construction, bridge, permanent, mezzanine and loan on loan financings, as well as portfolio recapitalizations and preferred equity investments. Our team guides clients throughout the full life cycle of a loan, including origination, asset management, securitization and enforcement or restructuring. Supported by integrated tax, land use, environmental and litigation capabilities, we deliver efficient, relationship-driven service in every major market for multifamily, office, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, retail, self-storage, senior living and data center properties.