William G. Rothschild
January 20, 2010
Sutherland Partner William G. Rothschild is speaking on an ABA eCLE program entitled "Real Estate Law: No Commercial Break," January 20, 2010.
The recent bankruptcy of General Growth Properties, Inc.—the largest commercial real estate company to fail in history—has brought attention to the problems all similar companies face. Commercial real estate companies are confronted with plummeting real estate values, falling occupancy rates, and a shrunken credit market that offers refinancing—only on terms that many borrowers cannot meet—if the loans are available at all.
Deutsche Bank estimates that $1.97 trillion in commercial loans will mature between now and 2018. According to the bank, more than half of these loans "face formidable refinancing problems," which could lead to defaults. The wave of defaults likely to follow could be devastating, and not merely for those in the commercial real estate industry. Many hotels, restaurants, stores, and other commercial tenants could be forced to close when their landlords go out of business or the buildings they occupy are foreclosed.
The potential dangers posed by this coming storm are many—including more bank failures, pensions, and other funds that hold securitized commercial loans taking large hits, and a fragile economy absorbing another blow it cannot afford. This program will help attendees understand what lies ahead and how to advise their clients about their options during this time of uncertainty.
For more information and to register for this event, click here.
© 2012 Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP