Authority Magazine Features Katie Schwarting on Navigating Distressed Commercial Real Estate

Authority Magazine interviewed Katie Schwarting, chair of Seyfarth’s Servicing & Special Servicing practice, for its feature article, “CRE Distress to Success: Katie Schwarting Partner and Chair at Seyfarth Shaw LLP On Turning Troubled CRE Loans Into Credible Recovery Plans.”

In the interview, Schwarting shared insights from more than two decades of experience advising lenders, servicers, and borrowers on commercial real estate workouts, restructurings, and distressed asset strategies. The conversation explored the drivers of today’s CRE distress, the role of special servicing, how lenders evaluate recovery opportunities, and the importance of communication, creativity, and market-based solutions when navigating challenged assets.

Schwarting emphasized the importance of active engagement and innovative thinking in today’s market, noting:

"The most successful investors are engaged, asking questions, and participating in the recovery strategy. The opportunity lies in understanding the property’s actual potential and being willing to consider solutions beyond the obvious ones."

Reflecting on her career and professional development, she shared:

"I encourage young professionals to become more than their day-to-day jobs and to be actively engaged industry participants. That is how you become an expert — by giving more, learning more, and then getting more back. It was a long road. I climbed the hill, and sometimes it was muddy and dirty, but I climbed it."

The full article is available here.