New York, NY – March 1, 2023 – Difede Ramsdell Bender (DRB) proudly announces that Behzad B. Malek-Madani has joined as a member in the firm’s New York City office, just two weeks after Lawrence J. “Larry” Hass opened the office.

Behzad practiced with DRB earlier in his career and returns to the firm from Steptoe & Johnson.

Behzad represents institutional investors, developers, corporations and high-net-worth individuals and families. He advises U.S. and international clients on sophisticated financings including senior mortgage, mezzanine and construction loans, joint ventures and fund investments, as well as acquisitions and dispositions. He also counsels clients at each stage of commercial real estate projects from design and pre-development, financing, construction, leasing through management and disposition of real estate properties and portfolios across all asset classes.

“Behzad was a tremendous asset to DRB for many years both on the client side as a real estate analyst and later when he came to our firm,” said James R. Difede, managing principal of DRB. “Now he is bringing his established New York practice back to DRB to work closely with Larry to advance the firm’s growing funds practice, as well as advise clients on commercial real estate and general corporate transactions.”

“I know first-hand DRB’s work ethic and commitment to clients is of the highest caliber in the industry,” said Behzad. “I’m happy to rejoin the firm and am especially excited to work with Larry given his prominence in the industry of private fund formation and management. It is an exciting time to be with DRB.”

Larry added, “Behzad has had a remarkable career both in-house as an analyst and in private practice, which is of tremendous benefit to our clients. He uniquely understands the structuring and underwriting of real estate investments from a business perspective and legal viewpoint.”

Behzad earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law where he was a Lederman Fellow in Law and Economics and his A.B. from Brown University, magna cum laude.

About Difede Ramsdell Bender

DRB is a boutique law firm representing institutional clients in complex commercial real estate transactions, private fund formation, tax structuring, compliance and general corporate matters.

DRB attorneys hail from highly regarded national firms with the goal of delivering excellent counsel and representation to a select group of clients. We pride ourselves on the decades-long relationships that stem from providing representation that protects and advances clients’ interests in an effective and efficient manner.