Real Estate Partner George Fatheree Joins Sidley in Los Angeles

George Fatheree has joined Sidley’s Real Estate practice as a partner in Greater Los Angeles. Prior to joining Sidley, Mr. Fatheree was a real estate partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP.
Mr. Fatheree advises investors, developers, lenders, and high-net-worth individuals in a wide array of large and complex commercial real estate transactions. He also counsels artists, museums, art collectors, and cultural institutions across an array of arts and culture transactions and issues. Mr. Fatheree has developed a strong track record advising real estate developers and investors as they launch their first funds and build their operating companies and investment platforms.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mr. Fatheree developed substantial business experience as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company and Booz Allen & Hamilton, and he co-founded govWorks.com, an Internet company, for which he was named one of Silicon Alley’s Top 25 Minority Entrepreneurs. He also served as the chief operating officer of the California Charter Schools Association, an education-reform nonprofit.
“George’s experience working on a wide range of real estate transactions across multiple industries will be a great addition to our established practice,” said Michael Gordon, global leader of Sidley’s Real Estate practice. “He is a trusted advisor to his clients and will now be able to provide additional services on the Sidley platform.”
“George is well known to many of us as a lawyer and as an active member of the LA community. We are excited to have him join Sidley,” said Dan Clivner, managing partner of Sidley’s Greater Los Angeles offices. “He is a rare talent who is recognized for outstanding work for his many clients and his leadership on a wide range of pro bono and diversity initiatives.”
Mr. Fatheree serves on the boards of Bet Tzedek, Destination Crenshaw, the Langston Bar Association, and Loyola Marymount University. He is also a member of the Real Estate Executive Council, the leading trade association for minority executives in the commercial real estate industry, and has also served on the executive committee for the LA County Real Property Section. Mr. Fatheree has dedicated thousands of hours to pro bono work, including securing reparations for survivors of the Holocaust; authoring a successful amicus curiae brief to California’s Supreme Court on behalf of public school students with diabetes; representing the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in its acquisition and development of a state-of-the-art performing arts academy; and helping students with special needs access educational services. He is currently leading the legal effort for the historic return of the Bruce’s Beach property in Southern California, which was wrongfully taken from the Bruce family in the 1920s.
“When the opportunity comes along to work with someone of George’s caliber, you close the deal,” said Peter Benudiz, partner and leader of the firm’s Global Hospitality group. “I’m excited to work with George and grow our practice in the region and around the world.”