Siobhan ODonnell

Siobhan O'Donnell Sachs

Partner
Los Angeles

Siobhan O'Donnell Sachs is the Practice Co-Leader of the firm's Real Estate Finance Group, Leader of the CMBS Loan Origination Team and Bridge Lending Team, and Co-Leader of the Real Estate Private Credit and High-Yield Team. She focuses her practice on commercial real estate finance.

She represents investment banks, commercial banks, specialty finance companies, and institutional lenders, as well as real estate developers and owners, in a variety of real estate financing transactions. Siobhan represents clients in permanent and bridge loan origination, CMBS conduit loans, construction loans, preferred equity transactions, mezzanine loans, and other subordinate financing structures. She also has significant experience in other aspects of real estate transactions, including leasing and acquisitions and dispositions of real estate.

Experience 

Representative Matters

  • Representation of a national finance company in its balance sheet, bridge lending program, including the following representative transactions:
    • The origination of a $21.7 million bridge mortgage loan secured by a near vacant office building in suburban Maryland intended to reposition to a medical office and services building during the term of the bridge loan. The transaction also included complicated zoning and impact issues.
    • The origination of numerous multifamily rental and seniors’ housing mortgage loans, often including extensive structuring for future advances and capital improvements programs.
    • The origination of a $78 million mortgage loan secured by a multifamily rental project in Long Island City, New York, structured with a senior A note and subordinate B note, with the client holding the subordinate B note. The representation included the drafting and negotiation of an A/B participation agreement and mortgage loan servicing agreement. The origination occurred mid construction and as a result, the transaction involved complicated structuring of the loan to protect the lenders under New York’s lien law.
    • The origination of a $19 million loan, secured by a defaulted $32.3 million construction loan note, which note was secured by a mortgage on a multifamily project located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the debtor under which was in bankruptcy proceedings. This representation included careful structuring to provide for the client’s approval of any bankruptcy plan approved by the court.

Professional Highlights

Professional Activities

Ballard Spahr's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

Ballard Spahr Hiring Committee

Co-Chair, Ballard Spahr Summer Associate Program, 2013-2014

Recognition & Accomplishments

The Legal 500, Real Estate - Real Estate Finance, 2021-2024

Speaking Engagements

Speaker, "Building Bridges Together in the Practice of Law," 33rd Annual RPTE Virtual National CLE Conference, April 21, 2021

Moderator, "Views on Construction Lending: Owners vs. Lenders," Commercial Observer, Spring Financing Commercial Real Estate Forum, June 4, 2019

Faculty, “Dangerous Liaisons or Elective Affinities – Subordination, Non-Disturbance and Attornment Agreements,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Annual Real Estate Institute, December 4, 2014

Credentials 

Education

Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law (J.D. 2006)
Member, Temple Law Review

Temple University (B.A. 2003)

Admissions

Pennsylvania

California