JayWardlaw

Partner

Click to download VCardClick for PDF

Jay leverages his extensive experience in commercial mortgage loan transactions—plus a talent for assembling a nimble deal team—to drive success for his clients.


More About Jay

Commercial mortgage lenders face a highly competitive market where the need for speed battles with deal size and complexity, often creating a sizable set of challenges to getting deals done. Jay believes in becoming an engrained extension of his clients by understanding their overall long-term and transaction specific goals. He then applies a practical, solutions-driven mindset—that way, if hurdles arise, he’s ready with a menu of workable alternatives.

Jay is co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate Finance practice. He represents developers, borrowers, sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants in a variety of commercial real estate transactions. Jay’s primary focus is cross-country permanent mortgage, bridge, and construction loans. His representation of lender clients includes, among others, experience with senior living facility loans; both franchised and flag-managed hotel loans, including construction and permanent loans; and loans involving special structuring issues to minimize the borrower’s UBIT liability.

Clients particularly appreciate Jay’s big-picture perspective and experience when handling large-scale portfolio transactions across multiple jurisdictions, as well as his ability to match capital with needs for capital across property types. He leverages his creativity with both firm resources and market intel in order to give his clients an edge.

In all things, Jay strives to increase efficiencies. Whenever possible, Jay weaves in technology—such as the Seyfarth Link platform—to connect with clients virtually and provide best-in-class collaboration and communication. He also capitalizes on Seyfarth’s Real Estate Due Diligence Hub, a dedicated team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who handle the cumbersome, often cost-sensitive work associated with the due diligence phase of commercial real estate transactions.

Seyfarth’s commitment to cross-office collaboration and innovation is something Jay appreciates—and often utilizes on behalf of his clients.

“The ease of working across offices and departments has been the most rewarding to me. Our ability to quickly access the appropriate resources to fit a need on a deal is one of the most remarkable things about the Seyfarth experience. Even before the pandemic, we had a significant leg up in this area.”
  • JD, Emory University School of Law

    with distinction
    Bankruptcy Developments Journal, managing editor
    Order of the Coif

  • BA, Rhodes College

    Cum laude

  • Georgia