John Rafkin

Background

About John Rafkin

I have over 30 years of experience representing lenders and borrowers in complex senior and subordinate real estate financings, including single property and multi-asset construction, acquisition, revolver, CMBS, and Shari'ah-compliant financing. I have substantial experience with mezzanine, A/B, and preferred equity forms of subordinated financing. The security for these loans include all types of real estate, including office, retail, student housing, senior housing, multifamily and industrial buildings, and portfolios. I have especially deep experience with hospitality financing. My practice also focuses on the workout of troubled real estate loans, including complex, multi-tiered loan restructurings, discounted payoffs, bankruptcy, deficiency notes, and other settlement structures. I have extensive experience in the syndication, assignment and participation of all forms of financing, and represent purchasers and sellers of performing and nonperforming loans and loan pools. In addition, I represent developers and other property owners in the acquisition, development, construction, and sale of real estate, and landlords, lenders, and tenants in office, retail and industrial leasing. I am Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, the organization that restores and operates the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Robie House, Unity Temple, and other Chicago area sites. I am also Vice President of SELVN, a Chicago political advocacy organization, where my interests and energies are directed toward historic and architectural preservation.