Akerman Hires Former K&L Gates Partner Bernfeld

Akerman Hires Former K&L Gates Partner Bernfeld
Law firm Akerman LLP added Partner William Bernfeld in Los Angeles.

Bernfeld joined Akerman LLP from K&L Gates. He focuses his practice on real estate and commercial law. He assists clients in complex financing transactions and acquisitions, dispositions and leasing of real estate projects in a variety of sectors and asset classes, including office, retail, restaurant, hospitality and industrial.

Additionally, Bernfeld’s background as a bankruptcy lawyer uniquely positions him to assist clients with distressed real estate transactions, including loan workouts and other restructuring needs.

Berkadia Expands Seniors Housing and Healthcare Team with Cain
Berkadia added Senior Director Chris Cain to its industry Seniors Housing and Healthcare team. He will be based in the firm’s Dallas office.

Cain joined Berkadia from Commerce Bank, where he specialized in healthcare finance and where he created and led their national Seniors Housing platform. He was responsible for originating private-pay senior housing transactions including construction, acquisition and loan terms. He generated more than $200 million in new production in 2017.

Prior to Commerce Bank, Cain spent more than 15 years with Guaranty Bank, later BBVA Compass, most recently as a Senior Vice President. He was responsible for originating and underwriting healthcare transactions, including construction, acquisition, lines of credit, term loans and refinance, managing a healthcare portfolio of $750 million.

Liao Joins Colliers International Group
Colliers International Group and Techstars announced that Ben Liao joined as Managing Director of the Colliers Proptech Accelerator Powered by Techstars.

In his new role, Liao will work with Colliers and Techstars leadership on the Colliers Proptech Accelerator, a program that identifies and mentors startups around the globe who are developing industry-disrupting technologies in the real estate industry. Liao will focus on selecting companies from the already tremendous pool of applicants, partnering with Colliers to define the strategic direction and investment profile within the program, and creating and nurturing a strong network of mentors, sponsors, investors and corporate partners.

Liao comes to Techstars from Ritual, a venture-backed technology company, where he was a member of the senior leadership team.