Christopher J.Manzer
Partner
Real Estate
cmanzer@seyfarth.com
Chris guides clients through complex real estate finance law matters with commercial judgment, strategic insight, and a forward-thinking approach to client service.
More About Chris
Chris advises lenders, investors, developers, corporations, and nonprofit organizations on the legal matters of complex real estate transactions, with a particular focus on real estate finance. He represents banks, life insurance companies, debt funds, and other capital providers in mortgage, mezzanine, construction, bridge, and permanent financing transactions across a broad range of asset classes and markets. His experience spans the full life cycle of a loan, from origination and servicing through restructurings, workouts, and other distressed asset matters.
In addition, Chris advises national and regional corporations and nonprofits on real estate development and portfolio management legal matters, including acquisitions, development projects, leasing, and borrower-side financing. Known for his practical, business-oriented approach, he delivers strategic legal guidance designed to advance client objectives, manage risk, and efficiently navigate complex transactions. Pro bono work is an important part of Chris’ practice as well, and he regularly represents nonprofits in efficiently responding to—and resolving—corporate and transactional legal matters.
Chris is committed to leveraging technology to elevate the delivery of legal services. He has been at the forefront of Seyfarth's efforts to integrate AI and other emerging technologies into real estate transactions, enhancing due diligence, streamlining deal execution, and delivering greater efficiency and value to clients. By combining deep real estate law experience with a commitment to innovation, Chris ensures efficient execution and practical, solutions-oriented counsel so that clients can achieve their business objectives.
In addition, Chris advises national and regional corporations and nonprofits on real estate development and portfolio management legal matters, including acquisitions, development projects, leasing, and borrower-side financing. Known for his practical, business-oriented approach, he delivers strategic legal guidance designed to advance client objectives, manage risk, and efficiently navigate complex transactions. Pro bono work is an important part of Chris’ practice as well, and he regularly represents nonprofits in efficiently responding to—and resolving—corporate and transactional legal matters.
Chris is committed to leveraging technology to elevate the delivery of legal services. He has been at the forefront of Seyfarth's efforts to integrate AI and other emerging technologies into real estate transactions, enhancing due diligence, streamlining deal execution, and delivering greater efficiency and value to clients. By combining deep real estate law experience with a commitment to innovation, Chris ensures efficient execution and practical, solutions-oriented counsel so that clients can achieve their business objectives.
- JD, Emory University School of Law
With honors
Order of the Coif
The Journal of Law and Religion, assistant managing editor (2013-2015)
State Bar of Georgia Real Property Section Exemplary Real Property Student Award recipient - MTS, Emory University Candler School of Theology
- BA, Wheaton College
PhilosophySumma cum laude
Wheaton College Scholastic Honor Society
- Georgia
- Oregon
- Supreme Court of Georgia
Related Services
- Represented a leading insurance company, as lender, in a $124 million mortgage and $41 million mezzanine loan secured by a multifamily property in New York City.
- Represented a leading insurance company, as lender, in a $59 million loan secured by a senior living property in Oregon.
- Represented a leading insurance company, as lender, in a $145 million bridge loan secured by a multifamily property in Tennessee.
- Represented a national bank, a lender, in a $120 million syndicated construction loan for construction of a multifamily project in Southern California.
- Represented a special servicer in the workout of a $325 million securitized loan secured by an office project in New York City.
- Represented a bank and financial services corporation, as lender, in a $79 million construction loan for the development of a multifamily property in Virginia.
- Represented a financial institution, as lender, in a $125 million term loan secured by a multifamily property in Texas.
- Represented a national bank in financing a $100 million industrial portfolio with collateral across several states.
- Represented a national retailer in build-to-suit lease for approximately 650,000-square-foot industrial warehouse.
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Apr 29, 2026
What's Now in Real Estate Finance (April 2026)
-
Legal Update
Mar 19, 2026
What's Now in Real Estate Finance (February 2026)
-
Legal Update
Dec 9, 2025
What's Now in Real Estate Finance (November 2025)
-
Case Study
12/03/2025
How Seyfarth Is Raising the Bar in Real Estate Law with Practice-Specific AI
- Recognized as a "Ones to Watch" lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Real Estate Law (2026)
- ULI Atlanta Center for Leadership, Class of 2023
- State Bar of Georgia Real Property Section
- Urban Land Institute
- Holy Trinity Parish Episcopal (Decatur, Georgia) vestry (2018-2020)
Chris guides clients through complex real estate finance law matters with commercial judgment, strategic insight, and a forward-thinking approach to client service.
More About Chris
Chris advises lenders, investors, developers, corporations, and nonprofit organizations on the legal matters of complex real estate transactions, with a particular focus on real estate finance. He represents banks, life insurance companies, debt funds, and other capital providers in mortgage, mezzanine, construction, bridge, and permanent financing transactions across a broad range of asset classes and markets. His experience spans the full life cycle of a loan, from origination and servicing through restructurings, workouts, and other distressed asset matters.
In addition, Chris advises national and regional corporations and nonprofits on real estate development and portfolio management legal matters, including acquisitions, development projects, leasing, and borrower-side financing. Known for his practical, business-oriented approach, he delivers strategic legal guidance designed to advance client objectives, manage risk, and efficiently navigate complex transactions. Pro bono work is an important part of Chris’ practice as well, and he regularly represents nonprofits in efficiently responding to—and resolving—corporate and transactional legal matters.
Chris is committed to leveraging technology to elevate the delivery of legal services. He has been at the forefront of Seyfarth's efforts to integrate AI and other emerging technologies into real estate transactions, enhancing due diligence, streamlining deal execution, and delivering greater efficiency and value to clients. By combining deep real estate law experience with a commitment to innovation, Chris ensures efficient execution and practical, solutions-oriented counsel so that clients can achieve their business objectives.
In addition, Chris advises national and regional corporations and nonprofits on real estate development and portfolio management legal matters, including acquisitions, development projects, leasing, and borrower-side financing. Known for his practical, business-oriented approach, he delivers strategic legal guidance designed to advance client objectives, manage risk, and efficiently navigate complex transactions. Pro bono work is an important part of Chris’ practice as well, and he regularly represents nonprofits in efficiently responding to—and resolving—corporate and transactional legal matters.
Chris is committed to leveraging technology to elevate the delivery of legal services. He has been at the forefront of Seyfarth's efforts to integrate AI and other emerging technologies into real estate transactions, enhancing due diligence, streamlining deal execution, and delivering greater efficiency and value to clients. By combining deep real estate law experience with a commitment to innovation, Chris ensures efficient execution and practical, solutions-oriented counsel so that clients can achieve their business objectives.
- JD, Emory University School of Law
With honors
Order of the Coif
The Journal of Law and Religion, assistant managing editor (2013-2015)
State Bar of Georgia Real Property Section Exemplary Real Property Student Award recipient - MTS, Emory University Candler School of Theology
- BA, Wheaton College
PhilosophySumma cum laude
Wheaton College Scholastic Honor Society
- Georgia
- Oregon
- Supreme Court of Georgia
Related Services
- Represented a leading insurance company, as lender, in a $124 million mortgage and $41 million mezzanine loan secured by a multifamily property in New York City.
- Represented a leading insurance company, as lender, in a $59 million loan secured by a senior living property in Oregon.
- Represented a leading insurance company, as lender, in a $145 million bridge loan secured by a multifamily property in Tennessee.
- Represented a national bank, a lender, in a $120 million syndicated construction loan for construction of a multifamily project in Southern California.
- Represented a special servicer in the workout of a $325 million securitized loan secured by an office project in New York City.
- Represented a bank and financial services corporation, as lender, in a $79 million construction loan for the development of a multifamily property in Virginia.
- Represented a financial institution, as lender, in a $125 million term loan secured by a multifamily property in Texas.
- Represented a national bank in financing a $100 million industrial portfolio with collateral across several states.
- Represented a national retailer in build-to-suit lease for approximately 650,000-square-foot industrial warehouse.
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Apr 29, 2026
What's Now in Real Estate Finance (April 2026)
-
Legal Update
Mar 19, 2026
What's Now in Real Estate Finance (February 2026)
-
Legal Update
Dec 9, 2025
What's Now in Real Estate Finance (November 2025)
-
Case Study
12/03/2025
How Seyfarth Is Raising the Bar in Real Estate Law with Practice-Specific AI
- Recognized as a "Ones to Watch" lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Real Estate Law (2026)
- ULI Atlanta Center for Leadership, Class of 2023
- State Bar of Georgia Real Property Section
- Urban Land Institute
- Holy Trinity Parish Episcopal (Decatur, Georgia) vestry (2018-2020)