Carolyn Austin

Partner

Carolyn is a member of the firm’s Real Estate group.

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Carolyn is solution-oriented and driven to achieve the best results for her clients. Her practice focuses on institutional, fund and private capital sources, as well as other owners, developers, and managers of real estate and real estate related investments, in the origination, purchase, disposition, and restructuring of senior and mezzanine real estate and corporate loans, loan participation interests, and preferred equity investments with respect to every major asset type. This includes, but is not limited to, multifamily, retail, industrial, office, hotel, mixed-use, rental and resale condominium, and student housing properties.

Carolyn has also participated in numerous workouts and analyses of complex pooling and servicing and participating agreements. She regularly handles matters ranging from complex financing transactions representing both lenders and borrowers involving all asset classes and types; to the negotiation of partnership, joint venture, and limited liability company operating agreements; to the drafting and negotiation of leases from both the landlord and tenant perspectives; to commercial and residential acquisitions and sales.

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Publications

  • Co-Author, “Intercreditor Agreements 2.0: Lessons Learned in the ‘Tranches’,” New York Law Journal, November 2011
  • Co-Author, “Borrower’s Guide to Navigating Loan Workouts: Who Decides What?,” New York Law Journal, May 2010
  • Quoted, “Developer Scores $100M Loan For 20-Acre Okla. City Project,” Law360, October 26, 2022

Presentations

  • Speaker, “Bridge Lending For Commercial Real Estate: Financing For Transitional Properties,” Strafford CLE Webinar, July 21, 2021
  • Speaker, “Structuring Preferred Equity Investments in Real Estate Ventures: Impact of True Equity vs. “Debt-Like” Equity,” Strafford Webinar, August 15, 2019
  • Speaker, “Committee to Advance the Status of Women in the Profession,” New York Women’s Bar Association, January 30, 2019

Life Beyond the Law

Outside of work, Carolyn enjoys spending time with her dogs (3 of them now and if it could be 30, even better) and family, reading, and traveling.

  • Practices
  • Bar & Court Admissions
    • New York Bar
  • Education
    St. John’s University, JD, 1994
    Fairfield University, BA, cum laude, 1990