Montgomery joins O’Melveny's New York office

Manhattan, NY O’Melveny saidd that top real estate finance lawyer Malcolm Montgomery has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in its Project Development & Real Estate Practice Group. His arrival further expands O’Melveny’s real estate finance capabilities.

Recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US as a premier real estate finance lawyer, Montgomery offers extensive lender-side advice to some of the most active participants in the real estate finance market. His work spans the full range of real estate matters, from domestic and cross-border investment and finance to leveraged lending and bank finance for public and private REITs and other real estate companies.

Montgomery has advised on financings involving assets and currencies in multiple countries, including multi-property secured loans, mezzanine financings, term and construction financings, subscription and debt portfolio financings, hotel and resort financings, and mortgage loans. He also has deep experience handling workouts and restructurings of real estate assets and companies, particularly in down-cycle markets.

Montgomery, who began his legal career at O’Melveny as a summer associate before advancing to partner in the firm’s New York office, is returning to O’Melveny from Shearman & Sterling, where he served as the global head of the Real Estate Practice; co-head of the REIT Group; and co-head of the Hospitality, Leisure & Gaming Group.

Montgomery’s return to O’Melveny accelerates the strategic growth of the firm’s real estate team. With his arrival, four lateral real estate partners have joined O’Melveny since 2020, bolstering the breadth and depth of the practice and extending the firm’s offerings for both corporate and institutional investor clients.

“Malcolm is a terrific lawyer and perennially rated as one of the nation’s best real estate finance practitioners,” said O’Melveny chair Bradley Butwin. “Our clients will benefit immediately from his deep experience, and his lender-side real estate finance skills will integrate perfectly with our major bank relationships. We are delighted to welcome Malcolm back home to O’Melveny.”

“This is a homecoming for me in every sense, and I couldn’t be more excited to rejoin the incredible firm where I began my career 35 years ago,” said Montgomery. “O’Melveny has a world-class platform, a collaborative culture, and an industry-leading reputation for providing top-notch client service. I’m thrilled to help expand the firm’s Real Estate team and work alongside such a collegial and talented group.”

Montgomery is a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. He earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law and his A.B. from Princeton University.