John D. Wilson

• Represented Clarion Partners, a real estate investment manager with $50 billion of assets under management, in connection with its $750 million strategic partnership with Legg Mason, a global asset management firm with over $670 billion in assets. Clarion Management retained a 17% interest in the ongoing business which operates as the primary independent real estate investment affiliate for Legg Mason.
• Advised Cortland Partners, LLC, a leading U.S. multifamily real estate investment, development and management firm, in connection with the formation of an open-end multifamily real estate fund formed to acquire $700 million in seed assets.
• Advised Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC in the formation of a $4.6 billion open-end student housing fund formed to acquire EdR, a NYSE-listed REIT.
• Advised Cortland Partners, LLC on the $1.2 billion acquisition of Pure Multi-Family REIT LP, a Canadian listed company, and formation of an investment vehicle for the ongoing operating of the business.
• Advised Asana Partners in the formation of Asana Partners Fund II, an $800 million closed-end fund investing in retail assets throughout the U.S.
• Advised Asana Partners in the formation of Asana Partners Fund I, a $500 million closed-end fund investing in retail assets throughout the U.S.
• Advised Jamestown in the formation of a flagship core, open-end real estate fund, including the acquisition of $1.4 billion in seed assets.
• Advised Paladin Realty Partners in the formation of a series of Latin America real estate funds with aggregate capital commitments in excess of $1 billion.
• Advising a fund sponsor in the formation of a build-to-hold open-end fund for investment in multifamily real estate.
• Advised Berkshire Realty Ventures in the formation of a fund to invest in real estate operating platforms.
• Advised on the formation of an open-end fund with total subscriptions of $565 million sponsored by a NYSE-traded REIT.
• Advised Hines International Real Estate Holdings and The First Investor (TFI) in the formation of a Shari'ah-compliant fund for investing in income-producing assets in Brazil.
• Advised a fund sponsor in establishing a $500 million separate account with a sovereign wealth fund for investment in U.S. real estate.
• Advised Jamestown in connection with the formation of a Latin America real estate fund.
• Advised Edens Investment Trust, a privately held REIT, in a $1.47 billion equity recapitalization by Blackstone, J.P. Morgan Asset Management and New York State Teachers Retirement System.
• Advising various fund sponsors in connection with sponsor-level recapitalizations and strategic investments.

John Wilson’s practice focuses on the formation of open- and closed-end private investment funds, separately managed accounts and other investment vehicles. In addition to fund formation, John has significant experience advising funds sponsors and management teams in “sponsor-level” strategic transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, management “lift outs,” strategic investments, recapitalizations and other liquidity planning for sponsors and their owners.

John has represented private equity firms, investment managers and other sponsors of funds and investment vehicles covering numerous sectors and strategies, including buyout, infrastructure, energy and debt.

He has particular expertise in real estate funds, having represented real estate managers, public and private REITs, and other operating companies in the formation of open- and closed-end funds for investment in real estate across a wide range of geographies, property types and return profiles. In addition to funds focused on investment in the U.S. and Europe, John has extensive experience in forming funds for investment in Latin America and other emerging markets.

John also counsels private fund sponsors on exemptions and other compliance matters under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.