Mark Edelstein serves as the chair of Morrison Foerster’s Global Real Estate Group and co-chair of the Distressed Real Estate Group. With over 30 years of experience, he represents top financial institutions, real estate firms, and various stakeholders in high-profile transactions. Clients describe him as “one of the most talented legal and commercial minds” in real estate, highlighting his exceptional intellect and problem-solving abilities (Chambers USA). He is recognized as a dedicated New York real estate lawyer who prioritizes client relationships and provides valuable insights into current industry legal issues (Best Lawyers).
Mark’s expertise encompasses real estate finance, REITs, private equity, workouts, restructurings, and bankruptcies. He frequently assists lenders and clients with diverse mortgage and construction loans, unsecured financing, and transactions across various asset classes, including commercial, retail, industrial, and multifamily properties. Additionally, he manages complex real estate workouts, restructurings, and Chapter 11 proceedings, possessing unique knowledge of syndicated and securitized loan arrangements and other financing structures.
Mark has contributed to transformative projects in New York City, including 50 Hudson Yards, One Vanderbilt, and the Museum of Modern Art Tower. He established his previous firm’s Real Estate Workout and Bankruptcy Group in the 1990s, playing a significant role in the debt restructurings and bankruptcies of major real estate entities such as Olympia & York and Donald Trump.
During the Great Recession, he handled prominent real estate workouts and represented large creditor groups in high-stakes bankruptcy cases. His legal acumen has led him to the U.S. Supreme Court, achieving significant victories, including a unanimous ruling in RadLAX Gateway Hotel, LLC v. Amalgamated Bank.
Mark’s excellence is recognized by various legal publications, including Chambers USA and Best Lawyers. He has received accolades as a Real Estate “Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal and as a “Real Estate MVP” by Law360 multiple times. In addition, he has been acknowledged as one of the top real estate lawyers globally and in the U.S. by Euromoney.
As a prolific writer and speaker on real estate finance and restructuring, his articles have been featured in notable publications. He was named a “Top Author” in the JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards in 2021 and 2022.
Mark is actively involved in various real estate trade organizations, including the Urban Land Institute and the Mortgage Bankers Association, and holds board positions in several industry groups. He earned his B.A. summa cum laude from City College of New York and his J.D. magna cum laude from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he graduated at the top of his class.
