March 31, 2015

LOS ANGELES DAILY JOURNAL
By Melanie Brisbon

LOS ANGELES – Goodwin Procter LLP snagged long-time partner Chauncey M. Swalwell from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP in Los Angeles, the firm announced Monday.

Swalwell, whose last day at Stroock was Friday, has a national practice that focuses on commercial real estate. He represents private and institutional investors and lenders in acquisitions, sales, development and other aspects of real estate transactions.

“[Goodwin Procter] has reach into other markets including international,” Swalwell said. “I think there’s some very exciting opportunities to expand what I can do with the clients I’m working with now and the clients I hope to develop while I’m here.”

Swalwell said he also hopes to take advantage of the firm’s entrepreneurial opportunities.
“One of my goals is to help build this office and the real estate capital markets group,” Swalwell said. “On a personal basis, I’m looking to broaden my practice and get involved with some of Goodwin Procter’s clients.”

Swalwell joins the firm’s national real estate capital markets group, which has a total of 100 lawyers firmwide. Goodwin’s Los Angeles office – which opened nine years ago with three attorneys – now has 28 attorneys including nine partners.

“Chauncey is a perfect fit for what we’re establishing here in Los Angeles at Goodwin Procter,” said Dean Pappas, chairman of L.A. office and member of the real estate capital markets group. “We’re focusing around our real estate practice, specifically our REITs and investment advisory practice. His expertise in representing institutional investors in all facets of real estate is right on the mark with what we do.”

Swalwell is the fourth partner in the past year to depart Stroock: real estate partner Stuart A. Graiwer jumped to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, entertainment litigation partner Daniel A. Rozansky went to Jenner & Block LLP, while corporate and private equity partner Jason W. Reese and litigation partner Lisa M. Simonetti skipped to Vedder Price PC.

“We are disappointed when attorneys leave but we recognize the realities of the legal market,” said Stroock’s L.A. managing partner Julia B. Strickland in a statement. “We wish Chauncey well, but look forward to continued success in our Los Angeles office given our strong practice areas and lateral growth.”

Stroock recently added Steven D. Atlee, a partner in Los Angeles from Winston & Strawn LLP. Another partner, Yousuf I. Dhamee, joined from Bingham McCutchen LLP at the end of last year.

Swalwell began his legal career nearly 26 years ago as a summer associate at Stroock, later becoming a full time attorney there.

“It’s a great firm with a lot of great people,” Swalwell said. “I have nothing but respect and admiration for the people that are still there that have helped me along the way.”

“I think lateral movement is just a fact of life these days,” he added. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with [Stroock] or the office; but for really finding this as the right opportunity, I could have stayed there for many years and been very happy.”

Swalwell’s deal was brokered by Ken Schwartz of Watanabe Nason & Schwartz.

“Chauncey Swalwell is a Chambers ranked partner with expertise in REITs and representing private equity and institutional investors in real estate transactions,” said Larry Watanabe of Watanabe Nason & Schwartz. “His area of expertise is highly sought after in the current market and Goodwin has a nationally recognized and prominent real estate and REIT practice.”