2024 Ones to Watch - Innovators in CRE: Naheem Harris, Akerman LLP

Naheem Harris focuses his practice on representing domestic and international real estate companies, institutional lenders, REITs, funds, and other real estate investors and operators on a wide range of real estate matters, including bespoke financings (mortgage, mezzanine and preferred equity investments, and both borrower and lender representations), dispositions and acquisitions, development, partnerships and joint ventures (as the operator and as equity), and complex commercial leasing matters. 

Naheem has been an Akerman partner for nearly nine months, but has been a commercial real estate attorney for 11 years. 

Naheem’s core team consists of one associate and one paralegal, but Naheem regularly works with partners, associates and other professionals across the firm. 

Innovative Solution: 

Relationships matter, particularly in a tough market; they are what will keep you hired, will help you get out of a tough deal or be the reason a great opportunity lands on your desk. I focus on relationships by not asking myself “how do I get this person to hire me?,” but by asking myself “how can I be an asset to this person and what they’re trying to accomplish.” This way, the relationship stays at the forefront of our interactions. If relationships are an ATM, you can’t make withdrawals without making deposits.

Innovative Outlook: 

The depression of property values in an increasing rate market (or formerly increasing market) have created opportunities to be innovative in the way owners, operators and developers plug holes in the capital stack. While most owners have turned to mezzanine debt and preferred equity, I think lesser known or understood capital sources, like C-Pace and TIF financing are excellent, low cost forms of capital that should be utilized to fill the stack. 

“While Naheem has implemented a number of initiatives, the most impactful for clients has been detailed transaction summaries for all deals. Most summaries include only the basic economic terms, but Naheem’s prepared summaries include other meaningful deal terms, such as operating and reporting covenants, description of the type of recourse and non-market defaults. These descriptions allow clients to quickly reference the summary sheet rather than having to read the entirety of a transaction document.” - Eric Rapkin, Akerman LLP.