Pam is widely regarded and sought out as one of the leading national and regional practitioners in multifamily and mixed-use real estate transactions. She has extensive experience in a wide range of complex commercial real estate transactions, including ground-up developments, acquisitions and dispositions, institutional equity investments, joint ventures, ground leases and permanent and mezzanine financing. Pam also counsels companies on office, retail and multifamily leasing transactions, commercial condominium regimes and workouts of distressed real estate projects. She is well known for bringing an entrepreneurial, practical and high energy orientation to her practice.
Pam is the founder of the firm’s Impact Business Group, leading a team of more than 40 professionals providing a complement of strategic and legal services at the cutting edge of the rapidly growing Impact Economy. The firm’s Impact clients range from large legacy for-profit businesses to newly formed, high-growth entrepreneurial ventures, each seeking to “grow their competitive advantage with Impact” by harnessing the positive power of businesses to generate revenue and solve endemic social problems. In 2015, the firm’s Impact Business Group was shortlisted for a Financial Times Innovation award and in June of 2018, the firm’s Impact Business Group was part of a team that won the inaugural Grunin Prize for Innovation from NYU Law for the development and documentation of a new equity investment structure.
Pam is a diversity champion and has served as outside general counsel for and on the Board of the Council on Legal Education Opportunities for more than a decade. Pam also serves on a number of other boards, including the Advisory Board for the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland and the Board of Directors for Shelters to Shutters, a non-profit organization that runs an innovative program providing mentorship for careers in multifamily property management, along with full-time employment and housing opportunities for individuals facing homelessness. She serves on the Board of Governors for the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness. In 2018, Pam was selected to serve as a Washington Trustee of the Federal City Council.
Publications
- What You Need to Know for an Office to Apartment Conversion, Globe St, Pamela V. Rothenberg, Scott Hoffman and Steve Polo, January 12, 2023;
- Union Kitchen: A Case Study On The Best Legal Structure For Local Businesses Looking To Go National, Forbes.com, Pamela V. Rothenberg, June 2016;
- Real Estate Issues for High Growth Companies: Five Key Tactics for Managing Risks and Maximizing Returns, The Focus Extra: WMACCA Quarterly Newsletter, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Lisa J. Ruddy, April 2012;
- Financing a Ground Lease: 18 Essential Terms, Units, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Christopher M. Iavarone, April 2012;
- New Fannie Mae Loan Documents: 10 Issues for Multifamily Borrowers, MHN Online, Christopher M. Iavarone and Pamela V. Rothenberg, March 2012;
- If You Were the Client Instead of the Broker, What Would You Want to Know? Focus on WMACCA: Washington Area Corporate Counsel Association Chapter E-Newsletter, October 2011;
- Navigating the Challenges of Loan-to-Own, Units, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Mike Kelly, April 2010;
- Key Tactics for Managing Occupancy Expenses in a Down Economy, The Focus: WMACCA Quarterly Newsletter, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Lisa J. Ruddy, March 2009;
- A 10 Step Program for the Successful Office Move, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Matthew S. Massarelli, ACC Docket, March 2009;
- STRIVE, Pamela V. Rothenberg, 2008;
- Loan Purchase Transactions: An Innovative Approach to Acquiring Real Estate Assets in a Downturn Market, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Jeffrey L. Tarkenton, The Real Estate Finance Journal, Spring 2008;
- A Game Plan for Survival: With vivid memories of a rough start, one leader offers five rules for beginners, Legal Times, October 1, 2007;
- Enhancing Opportunities – Real estate managers realize new profits with VA partnerships, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Tim S. McClain, Journal of Property Management, March/April 2007;
- Critical Inquiry – Expanded environmental law establishes new requirements for properties, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Howard Grubbs, Journal of Property Management, January/February 2007;
- Running with the PAC – Becoming politically connected requires careful attention to federal rules and regulations, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Rob Cohen, Journal of Property Management, November/December 2006;
- Seeing Green – A green building revolution is inspiring legislation, forcing property managers to take note, Journal of Property Management, September/October 2006;
- Liability Crash Course – Minimize liability; understand key legal issues, Journal of Property Management, July/August 2006;
- Coming to Terms – Agreement provisions beg managers’ scrutiny, Journal of Property Management, March/April 2006;
- Alternative Work Schedules – Employers benefit when employees have choices, Pamela V. Rothenberg, Sheri Roberson and Charlie Edwards, Journal of Property Management, January/February 2006;
- Pondering Public Use – Consider possible business development opportunities generated by Court’s ruling, Journal of Property Management, November/December 2005;
- Considering Megan’s Law – Weigh pros and cons of disclosure when sex offenders live nearby, Journal of Property Management, September/October 2005;
- Personal Limit: Explore the benefits of directors' and officers' insurance coverage, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Robert Cohen, Journal of Property Management, July/August 2005;
- The Reluctant Land Seller - Four Ways to Make the Deal Work, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Jacqueline Puentes King, Multifamilypro, July & August 2005;
- Ante Up: Rent-to-own programs prove a creative resident retention strategy for apartment owners, Journal of Property Management, May/June 2005;
- 'Soft' Sell: Protect properties and data with well-crafted, no-nonsense software agreements, Journal of Property Management, March/April 2005;
- Pay Now, Pay Later?: New deferred compensation legislation poses significant risks and penalties, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Diane J. Fuchs, Journal of Property Management, January/February 2005;
- Point, Click, Retain?: In today's digital age, companies must have a well-defined electronic record retention policy, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Lisa Ruddy, Journal of Property Management, November/December 2004;
- Cable News - FCC Order May Limit Tenants' Telecom Choices, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Ross Buntrock, Multifamily Executive, October 2004;
- Check List: Criminal background checks are helpful but be mindful of associated risks Pamela V. Rothenberg and Andrea Short, Journal of Property Management, July/August 2004;
- Host With the Most: Protect your company and your data with a solid ASP agreement, Journal of Property Management, Technology 2004;
- Embrace a Digital Lifestyle, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Jacqueline Puentes King, Journal of Property Management, Technology 2004;
- Elimination Strategies: Solid policies protect against potential sexual harassment and limit liability, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Aaron P. Lawlor, Journal of Property Management, May/June 2004;
- Risky Business: Managers should address potential environmental liabilities through well-thought out lease protections, Journal of Property Management, March/April 2004;
- Mind the Gap: Advice on designing lease audits that harness lost revenue and promote positive tenant relations, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Lisa J. Ruddy, Journal of Property Management, January/February 2004;
- Contractual Obligations: When entering into a broadband service agreement, be sure to include certain necessary clauses, Journal of Property Management, January/February 2004;
- A Ground Lease Primer: 'Dealing' with the Intimidating Ground Lease, Real Estate Finance, December 2003;
- Fighting the Good Fight: When it comes to tenant disputes, managers should stay out of it, Journal of Property Management, November/December 2003;
- Untangling the Ownership Web - Restructure Your Portfolio Through a Roll-up, Multifamily Executive, October 2003;
- Protective Lease Provisions: Landlords can avoid conflict with CAM clauses, Journal of Property Management, September/October 2003;
- Upgrade Protection - Best Practices to Implement While Changing Software, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Boyer Taylor, Multifamily Executive, August 2003;
- Power Buyer: Managers become proactive to save energy costs, Journal of Property Management, July/August 2003; and North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, June 23, 2003;
- Beating the BK Blues: With proper planning, managers and owners can minimize the downside of tenant bankruptcy, Journal of Property Management, May/June 2003;
- Ease with Fees-Customer-focused payment systems pay off, Journal of Property Management, March/April 2003;
- Strategize to Maximize: Consider both hard and soft factors when evaluating technology investments, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Jacqueline Puentes King, Journal of Property Management, March/April 2003;
- Read the Fine Print: Global contracts should include several important provisions, Journal of Property Management, January/February 2003;
- The Broadband Battle: Congress Still Debates A National Policy, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Kathleen Harney, Multifamily Executive, December 2002;
- Liabilities and Lullabies: On-site childcare facilities are a risky but important business, Journal of Property Management, November / December 2002;
- Outlays for new technology: What owners get in return, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Jacqueline Puentes King, Southeast Tech Wire, November 8-14, 2002;
- Done Deal: Facilitating employee compensation with term sheets, Journal of Property Management, September/October 2002;
- Term Limits: New proposed bankruptcy legislation could mean major reform, Journal of Property Management, July/August 2002;
- The Broadband Debate Continues, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Kathleen Harney, Southeast Tech Wire, July 2, 2002;
- Telecom: What Happened to 'Revenue Share' Opportunities? Commercial Realty Review, June, 2002;
- Competing' Approaches to Broadband Law, Howard J. Barr and Pamela V. Rothenberg, Potomac Tech Journal, June 10, 2002;
- Perpetual Easements on Multifamily Properties: Significance, Challenges and Strategies, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Jacqueline P. Puentes, National MultiHousing Council White Paper, March 28, 2002;
- Technology Helps Industry Develop Security Solutions, Pamela V. Rothenberg and Kelly Treesh, Journal of Property Management. January/February 2002;
- Generating Revenue from Real Estate Telecom Agreements, Corporate Real Estate Executive, November/December 2001;
- 10 Essential Contract Terms for Broadband Service Agreements, Jacqueline P. Puentes and Pamela V. Rothenberg, Journal of Property Management. November/December 2001.
Civic and Professional Activities
Professional Activities
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Member, American College of Real Estate Lawyers
- Member, Economic Club of Washington
Civic Activities
- Member, Governing Board of the Fairfax-Falls Church Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness
- Board Member, Council on Legal Education Opportunities, Inc. (CLEO)
- Board Member, Shelters to Shutters
- Honorary Board Member, N Street Village.
- Advisory Board Member, Conscious Venture Lab.
- Director, Operation Access, a Womble Carlyle initiated and sponsored pro bono program that provides business owners from diverse communities with "access" to legal advice and other resources that can help them resolve problems and overcome challenges impacting the success of their business ventures. Operation Access also provides law school students with an unparalleled experience to collaborate with Womble Carlyle's attorneys on pro bono matters, as law school students are invited to participate on the legal teams that represent Operation Access clients.
Honors and Awards
- Chambers USA Ranked Lawyer, Real Estate, District of Columbia (2007-Present)
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (BL Rankings), Real Estate Law, 2010 – Present
- Recognized in Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers (Thompson Reuters) (2009-2023)
- Named a 2013 William A. Blakey Diversity Pipeline Architect by the Counsel on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)
- Named Finalist for Top Washington Lawyer for Real Estate in 2005 by the Washington Business Journal
- Named to the Washington, D.C. Real Estate Super Lawyers lists by Law & Politics
- Named to the Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers Top 50 Women Attorneys and Real Estate lists by Law & Politics
Experience
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
- Represented regional developer in the recapitalization and refinance of a 950+ unit apartment community located in Maryland including redemption of existing institutional equity partner, defeasance of a mortgage loan and closing of a new mortgage loan.
- Represented national developer in a financing transaction involving a construction loan and institutional equity from a California based pension fund for the development and construction of a 328 unit apartment community in Tennessee.
- Represented national developers in a land acquisition, life insurance company construction loan and institutional equity financing for a redevelopment of land in Washington, DC with a new mixed use apartment community including 500+ rental units and ground floor retail.
- Representation of publicly traded multifamily apartment REIT in complex lease transaction involving relocation of client headquarters to 50,000 square feet of new office space.
- Represented AvalonBay Communities, Inc., who joined with Equity Residential, in acquiring all of the assets and most of the liabilities of Archstone Enterprise LP from Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. The deal involved the simultaneous closing of numerous debt transactions relating to Archstone’s asset-secured financing, and more than $4 billion of debt, including a $1.2 billion Fannie Mae master credit facility.
- Represented regional multifamily developers in a private public partnership for the redevelopment of five distinct development “blocks” in the City of Rockville, Maryland with a mixed-use project comprised of public and private mixed-use improvements.
