News & Resources

In an article published by Law360, commercial litigation attorney Thomas Murphy addressed why the acquittal in the recent ”Varsity Blues” trial against defendant Amin Khoury, was not surprising and what attorneys can learn from how each side chose to present the facts during the trial. The federal investigation code-named “Operation Varsity Blues” stemmed from allegations that wealthy celebrities and corporate executives had conspired with insiders at elite universities in an elaborate pay-for-play scheme to gain admission for their children. Tom’s article focuses on the Khoury case, which alleged the defendant’s involvement with securing his daughter’s admission to Georgetown University. Tom explains, “Although most of the individuals charged in the “Varsity Blues” investigation ultimately chose to plead guilty, defendant Amin Khoury was acquitted, and the way his defense team chose to frame the facts in the trial narrative is instructive.” Notably, the defense recognized that there were certain facts it could not […]

Friedlander Misler lawyers Rebecca Urland Monzi, Jennifer Jette and Li Ann Butterfield Watson successfully negotiated a property acquisition and financing on behalf of a client. The acquisition was for a $150,000,000 Class-A multifamily property in Howard County, Maryland. This transaction acted as the 1031 exchange for sale of three different properties in April 2022. It was also structured for the three exchangers to own and operate the property as tenants-in-common. Rebecca, Jennifer and Li Ann also negotiated $86.3 million in financing for the client through a private equity real estate firm. Rebecca Monzi, a Principal at Friedlander, concentrates her practice in real estate development, working with developers, investors and financial institutions. She supports clients in all aspects of the acquisition, development, sale and financing of commercial, industrial and mixed-use property, multi-family housing, affordable housing projects, retail centers, construction lending, mezzanine financing, bridge financing, syndicated loans, securitized financing, and like-kind exchanges. […]

Friedlander Misler partner Jennifer Jette was featured in the law.com Q&A Series “How I Made It” in an article published on July 1, 2022, “How I Made Partner: ‘Make Yourself Irreplaceable. Show Up and Be Dependable,’ Says Jennifer Weissman Jette of Friedlander Misler.” Jennifer joined the firm in 2014 after graduating from Emory Law School, and was named a partner in the real estate and commercial transactions practice in January 2022. Jennifer explains in the article, “I want to help more women infiltrate commercial real estate law. Commercial real estate has forever been very male dominated, and I am excited to see, and also help, more women enter this industry.” She attributes her path to partnership to “a combination of character traits and performance in my seven years as an associate. I worked to make myself irreplaceable, or as close to irreplaceable as possible,” and noted that having a strong […]

Friedlander Misler lawyers Rebecca Urland Monzi, Jennifer Jette and Li Ann Butterfield Watson successfully negotiated a property acquisition and financing on behalf of a client. The acquisition was for a $122,500,000 Class-A multifamily property in Fort Myers, Florida. This transaction acted as the 1031 exchange for sale of three different properties in April 2022. It was also structured for the three exchangers to own and operate the property as tenants-in-common. Rebecca, Jennifer and Li Ann also negotiated $55 million in financing for the client through a private equity real estate firm. Rebecca Monzi, a Principal at Friedlander, concentrates her practice in real estate development, working with developers, investors and financial institutions. She supports clients in all aspects of the acquisition, development, sale and financing of commercial, industrial and mixed-use property, multi-family housing, affordable housing projects, retail centers, construction lending, mezzanine financing, bridge financing, syndicated loans, securitized financing, and like-kind exchanges. […]

Friedlander Misler is pleased to announce the addition of associates Li Ann Butterfield Watson and Vania M. Smith.   “As we provide counsel to national and global companies, as well as businesses in the mid-Atlantic region, our law firm continues growing,” said David M. Astrove, a principal and managing member of Friedlander Misler. “I am very pleased to welcome Li Ann and Vania, they are certain to be great additions to our team.”   Both Li Ann and Vania will practice on the firm’s Real Estate and Commercial Transactions practice groups.     Li Ann practiced in Stamford, Connecticut before joining our firm, representing clients in residential and commercial real estate transactions, trusts and estates, and corporate formation. She received her J.D. from Boston College Law School.   Vania joins our firm with over 20 years of experience in commercial real estate asset management in the D.C. area. She received her J.D. from The […]