Overview

Zach’s principal areas of practice are capital markets and securities law, private equity, fund and joint venture formation, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance matters. He has a particular focus on advising clients in the commercial real estate industry, including equity and mortgage real estate investment trusts (REITs).

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Experience Highlights

  • TPG RE Finance Trust, Inc. in its $233 million initial public offering and multiple follow-on offerings

  • Undisclosed private vehicle that intends to elect REIT status, formed to originate CRE debt investments in the Southern U.S., in connection with multiple private offerings of common stock

  • Alpine Income Property Trust in its $142.5 million initial public offering and multiple follow-on offerings

  • Undisclosed sponsor in connection with structuring, formation and initial capitalization of a private vehicle that intends to elect REIT status, formed to originate CRE debt investments in the Southern U.S.

  • CTO Realty Growth in its REIT conversion and related transactions

  • Ellington Financial Inc. in its $154 million acquisition of Arlington Asset Investment Corp. for a combination of stock and cash consideration

  • Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation, a SPAC sponsored by affiliates of Riverstone Holdings and Impact Ag, in its $510 million business combination with Australian Food & Agriculture Company Limited, a large-scale, diversified agricultural business located in New South Wales, Australia (pending)

  • Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation IV, a SPAC sponsored by an affiliate of Riverstone Holdings, in its $1.39 billion business combination with Hammerhead Resources Inc., a Calgary-based energy company

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Credentials

Education

  • The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, J.D. summa cum laude, 2012 (Staff Editor, Catholic University Law Review)
  • Juniata College, B.S., Education and Politics, 2008 (Dean’s List; Calvert Ellis Scholarship Recipient)

Admissions

  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

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Recognitions

    • Chambers USA, REITs (Nationwide), 2022–2026; “Up and Coming” in REITs (Nationwide), 2022
    • Selected to the New York Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2024–2025
    • Legal 500 U.S., Real Estate: REITs, 2022; Finance: Capital Markets: Equity Offerings, 2023
    • Selected to the Virginia Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers® (Thomson Reuters), 2022 and 2023
    • The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), “Ones to Watch,” Real Estate Law (Richmond), 2021 and 2022
Insights

Client Alerts

Proposed Preemption of State Blue Sky Laws Could Benefit Non-Traded REITs

On May 19, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued a proposing release titled “Registered Offering Reform” that, among …

May 21, 2026

May 21, 2026 • 5-minute read

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Events

Vinson & Elkins Sponsors the TCG Building Futures Gala

Tannenbaum Capital Group (TCG) and Vinson & Elkins, united by a shared commitment to community impact, are proud to present …

April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026 • 1-minute read

Event Recaps

Capital Raising in a Changing Market – How Real Estate Companies and REITs Are Raising Capital in Private and Public Markets

The speakers discussed capital raising alternatives available to real estate companies and REITs in today’s evolving market landscape.

September 30, 2025

September 30, 2025 • 1-minute read

Client Alerts

Navigating Uncertainty: Legal Strategies for Market, Economic, and Geopolitical Volatility

Zachary Swartz outlines how in-house legal teams can proactively guide their companies through today’s heightened economic, geopolitical, and regulatory volatility, offering practical strategies to manage risk, maintain stability, and ensure clear communication amid uncertainty.

May 8, 2025 • Published by CorpGov.com

May 8, 2025 • 1-minute read

Event Recaps

Alternative Investments in Commercial Real Estate: Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Debt Instruments

V&E REIT and Real Estate partners, Brent Abbott at Pacolet-Milliken, and Anthony Scavo at Basis Industrial discussed Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Debt Investments in Commercial Real Estate.

September 19, 2024

September 19, 2024 • 1-minute read

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News & Achievements