David Swartz

A seasoned and versatile transactional attorney, David Swartz understands what it takes to make a positive difference for his clients. Having spent over 13 years of his career as a senior executive and general counsel of three real estate investment and operation companies, David inherently understands the issues, pressures, and demands that can keep clients awake at night. With this understanding, he utilizes a hands-on, collaborative approach in delivering legal services and knows what law firms can – and must – do to deliver immediate, tangible value to their clients.

David's extensive professional experience includes working in all facets of commercial real estate including leasing, financing, acquisitions and dispositions, operations, and risk management of a full gamut of real estate asset types, including hotels, multifamily, commercial, retail and industrial properties.

After starting his career as an attorney with Allen Matkins, David served as the General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Arden Realty Inc., a publicly-traded real estate investment trust, for 11 years. During his tenure with Arden, David created and led the company's legal and risk management departments, managed and negotiated over $6 billion in real estate transactions, and was instrumental in orchestrating Arden's high-profile acquisition by General Electric Capital Corporation. Following the acquisition of Arden by GE Capital, he held executive level and general counsel positions at Safco Capital, a Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm focusing on retail properties, and Latitude Management Real Estate Investors, a Beverly Hills-based private real estate fund manager specializing in multifamily investments. Prior to joining CGS3, David was a partner with Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP.