Achraf Farraj
Counsel
San Diego
achraf.farraj@lw.com
+1.858.523.5432
PRACTICES
- Banking
- Project Development & Finance
- Real Estate
INDUSTRIES
- Energy & Infrastructure
- Hospitality, Gaming & Leisure
- Technology
EDUCATION
- JD, Columbia University School of Law, 2011
James Kent Scholar - BA in Political Science, University of California, San Diego, 2008
cum laude
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
PROFILE
Achraf Farraj advises clients on a broad range of real estate and finance transactions.
Achraf takes a pragmatic, business-minded approach to guide companies, developers, and lenders through transactions at the intersection of real estate and finance, including:
- Real estate acquisitions and dispositions
- Secured lending
- Hospitality and gaming projects, including hotels, casinos, and racetracks, both on and off tribal land
- Energy projects, including wind, solar, and geothermal
- Real estate joint ventures
- Commercial leasing, including industrial, manufacturing, and laboratory facilities
He leverages extensive experience in both the real estate and finance industries to devise creative solutions that help clients successfully close deals. Achraf creates efficiencies for clients across the firm’s multi -disciplinary platform by advising on the real estate aspects of broader transactions, including involving M&A and private equity.
A recognized firm leader, he has served on the Pro Bono Committee and the Training and Career Enhancement Committee.
Achraf maintains an active pro bono practice, including working with Casa Cornelia Law Center to represent victims of domestic violence and help them obtain permanent legal status in the US. He also serves on the board of San Diego-based Housing Innovation Partners, a nonprofit developer of affordable housing.
EXPERIENCE
Achraf’s transactions include advising:
- Divert, Inc. on developing a portfolio of renewable natural gas projects
- LS Power on project financing for several battery energy storage system expansions in California
- Veritas Capital Vantage Fund on acquiring Babel Street, a data analytics company
- Oaktree Capital on project financing and strategic transactions for a natural gas turbine in Montana
- Churchill Downs on financing and refinancing its senior secured credit facilities
- Majestic Realty on acquiring and disposing of commercial and industrial properties in Fort Worth, Texas
- RIDA Development on developing the Chula Vista Bayfront Hotel and Convention Center near San Diego, California
- The Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Switch, a company that develops and operates data centers
- Major banks on financing casinos in upstate New York and other jurisdictions
- Several companies on acquiring and financing single-family rental home portfolios
- Extra Space Storage on acquiring self-storage facilities