GYFB - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Partner
- Partner of Grossberg
Adam W. Walsh is a partner of Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor degree from the College of William and Mary School of Law. Mr. Walsh has 20 years of experience working with both institutional and entrepreneurial clients in the acquisition, development, structuring, leasing and financing of commercial real estate projects. The complex transactions that Mr. Walsh handles include joint venture formations, construction, mezzanine and permanent loans, ground leases, recapitalizations and sale-leasebacks. Mr. Walsh also advises pension funds, real estate advisory groups, real estate investment trusts and commercial and residential developers. These projects include office buildings, new and converted residential condominiums, assisted living and other senior housing and medical facilities, regional and strip shopping centers and retail and mixed-use developments. Mr. Walsh has spearheaded legal teams in closing large, multi-state and multi-property acquisitions and dispositions, and has managed commercial finance transactions in nearly all 50 states. Mr. Walsh also represents institutional and entrepreneurial landlords in leasing office, retail and industrial/flex space.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Partner
- Partner at Grossberg
Brett D. Orlove is a partner at Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP. Mr. Orlove concentrates his practice among areas of leasing, acquisition, sale, financing and taxation of real property in the District of Columbia metropolitan area and across the United States. Mr. Orlove regularly advises clients regarding real property tax assessment matters and appeals the real property tax assessments of office buildings, apartment buildings, hotels and other properties in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Mr. Orlove regularly represents restaurant owners and operators in connection with leasing and business matters. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor degree with honors from the George Washington University Law School. Mr. Orlove started working at Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda in 1989 and has been with the firm ever since. Mr. Orlove advises numerous individuals and real estate companies on corporate, contractual, business and management issues, and has lectured on various real estate related topics from time to time.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- Partner
- Senior Partner at Grossberg
C. Richard Beyda is a senior partner at Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP. Mr. Beyda's practice includes matters related to the acquisition, sale, financing and leasing of real property and other commercial matters. He also advises individuals on estate and family planning matters. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from George Washington University and a Juris Doctor degree from the George Washington University Law School. Mr. Beyda is also a certified public accountant. He has been with Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP since graduation from law school in 1962.
Dana C. Lewellen focuses her practice on representing national, regional, and local landlords and tenants in retail, restaurant, office, and warehouse leasing transactions in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States. She has extensive experience negotiating, documenting, and closing commercial leasing transactions on behalf of landlords and tenants, as in-house counsel and in private practice. Ms. Lewellen's practice also encompasses drafting and negotiating a broad range of real estate, professional service, property management, and operations agreements. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Lewellen held in-house counsel positions with a national, private real estate investment trust ("REIT") that owned, developed and managed shopping centers throughout the United States; a global athletic apparel retailer; and a regional, publicly-traded REIT that owns, develops and manages office and data center properties. She was also a senior associate in the Real Estate section of a leading Baltimore law firm. Ms. Lewellen draws on her years of in-house experience to provide her clients with pragmatic and business-minded legal advice. Her experience and approach are particularly helpful to clients who seek counsel regarding operational issues and landlord/tenant disputes.
Job Titles:
- Review - Article and Note Editor
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of Grossberg
- Retired Partner
Doris C. Njoku is a member of Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda's Real Property Tax Assessment Appeals Group. Doris currently represents owners of various property types throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia in assessment appeals. Prior to joining Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, Doris litigated complex commercial and industrial property tax appeals all over New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Prior to that, Doris served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Michael J. Gilmore, J.T.C. of the Tax Court of New Jersey. Doris received her J.D. from Drexel University, Thomas R. Kline School of Law where she was a staff editor of the Drexel Law Review.
Gerald P. Grossberg is a partner in the firm. Mr. Grossberg concentrates his practice among areas of acquisition, sale, financing and leasing of real property in the District of Columbia metropolitan area. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the George Washington University Law School. After graduation from law school in 1965, Mr. Grossberg came to Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP. Mr. Grossberg advises numerous individuals and real estate companies on contractual, business, leasing, financing and property management issues.
Heidi J. Herman focuses her practice on commercial real estate matters. In her practice, Ms. Herman represents investment managers and owners-including REITs, developers, insurance companies, and financial institutions-of commercial office, industrial, medical office, and retail properties in drafting and negotiating leases with tenants, including regional and national anchors and big-box tenants, hospitals, medical specialty companies, and national restaurant franchises. She is fluent in drafting and negotiating service contracts, management agreements, leasing agreements, and various other property documents, such as easements, restrictions, and covenants on behalf of property owners. In addition, Ms. Herman has represented financial institutions, developers, and other investment entities in various acquisition and disposition transactions. Ms. Herman received a Juris Doctor with Honors from DePaul University, College of Law and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
Jeff C. Stewart focuses his practice on representing buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, lenders, borrowers, and investors in connection with the acquisition, sale, financing, development, and leasing of office, industrial, and residential real property, as well as advising clients regarding federal, state, and local tax matters, like-kind exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, the preparation and negotiation of LLC operating agreements and joint venture agreements, and the drafting and negotiation of personal property sales agreements and leasing agreements and commercial service agreements. Prior to joining Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP, Mr. Stewart worked at large regional law firms and, for a period of time, at a commercial real estate development company. Mr. Stewart received his law degree with honors from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he served as the administrative editor of the University of Illinois College of Law. Mr. Stewart also earned an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida Graduate Tax Program and a bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University, majoring in Accounting.
Jenna Jones focuses her practice on commercial real estate matters, including the representation of landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers, investors and developers throughout the country. Prior to joining Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP, Ms. Jones served as in-house counsel to a regional shopping center developer and worked in private practice as counsel to the City of Charlotte in matters including the development of light rail, streetcar service, and municipal services such as storm water facilities, utility facilities, roadways and recreational spaces. Ms. Jones has been in practice for more than 25 years and has provided educational lectures to other real estate professionals, including surveyors, engineers and real estate brokers, on matters relating to survey and title. Ms. Jones received her Bachelor of Science at the University of North Carolina and her Juris Doctor at the University of Miami, where she served as Articles and Comments Editor of the International Law Review.
Karl Gruss focuses his practice on the acquisition, sale, financing and leasing of real property,as well as the preparation of AIA construction contracts. Mr. Gruss additionally assists clients in the formation and organization of business entities and complex joint ventures.
Prior to joining Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, Mr. Gruss worked as an associate in the real estate transactional department of a law firm with offices across Florida. In that capacity, Mr. Gruss represented developers, financial institutions, large publicly traded Real Estate Investments Trusts, and other real estate professionals in a variety of complex commercial transactions.
Mr. Gruss received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Hamilton College. He received his law degree with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he served as a Senior Research Editor on the Florida Law Review.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- Partner
- Member of the Bars of Maryland
Kenneth A. Max specializes in the area of real estate tax assessment appeals. He has represented clients in the acquisition, sale and financing of commercial real estate, commercial leasing, limited partnerships and corporations, letters of intent, contracts, opinion letters, and tax deferred like kind exchanges. Ken has challenged real estate tax assessments in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia for all types of improved and unimproved real estate.
In addition to his experience in real estate matters, Ken has considerable corporate and business law experience. He has also represented numerous clients in connection with estate planning and administration.
Ken is a member of the bars of Maryland and the District of Columbia and the U.S. Tax Court. Ken has served on the board of directors of numerous non-profit organizations in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Ken received B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Kenneth was a practicing Certified Public Accountant prior to the commencement of his legal practice. He has published articles dealing with real estate tax assessments and related property management issues in several publications. Ken was the founding and managing partner at the firm of Max & London, P.A. and was a senior partner at Wilkes Artis, Chartered. He has been rated AV Pre Eminent by Martindale-Hubbell.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- Retired Partner
Lawrence A. Miller concentrates his practice among areas of acquisition and sale of real property, condominium development, corporate law, health care and biotech law. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors and a Bachelor of Laws degree with honors from the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Miller was a member of the Law Review at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the Order of the Coif. After law school, Mr. Miller joined the National Labor Relations Board in the Office of the General Counsel. He then was General Counsel for The Macke Company for a period of ten (10) years. Mr. Miller came to Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda in 1972 and since then has advised numerous individuals and real estate companies on contractual, business, corporate, management and health care issues.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at Grossberg
Linton W. Hengerer is a partner at Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP. Mr. Hengerer concentrates his practice among areas of acquisition, sale, financing and leasing of real property, and corporate law in the District of Columbia metropolitan area and across the United States. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, magna cum laude from Boston University, an M.B.A. from George Washington University and a J.D. with honors from the George Washington University Law School. After law school, Mr. Hengerer joined the Solicitor's Office of the U.S. Department of Labor where he worked for several years engaged in administrative law and appellate and administrative litigation. Since leaving the government in 1985, Mr. Hengerer has practiced transactional law in the private sector. In 1987 he came to Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, and has been with the firm ever since. Mr. Hengerer advises numerous individuals and businesses on a broad range of contractual, business, corporate, management and financial issues.
Matthew G. Ahrens has spent over 25 years in property tax, currently representing owners of various property types throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Mr. Ahrens previously served as Vice President, Property Tax for Host Hotels & Resorts, the largest lodging real estate investment trust (REIT) and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels. He was responsible for all property tax related activities at Host, managing both internal staff and external consultants and lawyers in all compliance and appeal efforts throughout the portfolio. Prior to joining Host, Mr. Ahrens spent nine years with a property tax law firm in Washington, D.C..
Mr. Ahrens has spoken at numerous conferences and seminars for organizations such as the Council on State Taxation (COST) and Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT), as well many other professional industry organizations. Mr. Ahrens received a B.A. in History from Rice University in Houston, Texas, and a law degree from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. where he was a member of the Journal of International Law and Economics.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at Grossberg
Michael D. Ravitch is a partner at Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP. Mr. Ravitch concentrates his practice among areas of acquisition, disposition, financing and leasing of real property as well as the preparation of joint venture documents. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with high distinction from The Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctor degree with honors from The George Washington University Law School. Mr. Ravitch was a Member of The George Washington University Law School Law Review and The Order of the Coif. He was also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Pennsylvania from 1990 until 1995. Mr. Ravitch came to Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda as a law clerk while in law school, and has been with the firm ever since. Mr. Ravitch advises numerous individuals and real estate companies on contractual, business and management issues, and has lectured on various real estate related topics from time to time over the years.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner of Grossberg
Richard F. Levin is a partner of Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP. Mr. Levin concentrates his practice among areas of acquisition, sale, financing and leasing of real property in the District of Columbia metropolitan area and across the United States. He received a Bachelor of Science degree with high distinction from Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctor degree with honors from the George Washington University Law School. Mr. Levin started at Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda as a law clerk while a first-year law student, and has been with the firm ever since. Mr. Levin advises numerous individuals and real estate companies on contractual, business and management issues, and has lectured on various real estate related topics from time to time.
Sholom Yaffa's goal is to help real estate clients solve problems, structure and close complex real estate transactions, and manage risk. He has extensive experience representing a diverse client base, including local and national private equity sponsors, family offices, investors, as well as operators and developers.
Sholom's journey into real estate law began as an analyst in private equity. By day, he underwrote and closed real estate transactions; by night, he pursued his law degree. Upon graduation, he transitioned to an in-house counsel position before joining GYFB in 2019. Sholom's background equips him with a pragmatic, business-centric approach to his role as a transactional attorney. He emphasizes efficient and effective negotiations while keeping risk in check.
Valerie B. Kamin devotes her practice to a wide array of general and complex real estate transactions, including the representation of landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers, investors and regional and national developers in connection with real estate acquisitions and dispositions; real estate development and finance; commercial office, retail and industrial leasing; construction loans, permanent financing and refinancing transactions. Prior to joining Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda, LLP, Ms. Kamin worked as an associate with one of the premier real estate law firms in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ms. Kamin received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Pennsylvania and her Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she served as the Executive Editor of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review.
Mr. Margolies has more than a decade of experience working with local and national organizations, developers and institutional owners in all areas of commercial real estate transactions, with a particular focus on drafting and negotiating high profile office, retail, and hospitality leases for landlord and tenant clients of varying sizes.
He is a member of the DC Real Estate Group and the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Urban Land Institute. Prior to entering private practice, he spent five years as in-house counsel with Vornado/Charles E. Smith LP and Simon Property Group.
He received his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in English and Political Science from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.