Brian W. Kniesly

Brian Kniesly is a partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.  He is Chair of the firm’s Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Group and a member of the Tax Practice Group.  Mr. Kniesly focuses on the federal income taxation of REITs, investment funds, partnerships, real estate and mergers and acquisitions.  He has been involved in tax planning on some of the largest real estate transactions in the United States and has provided extensive advice on structuring investments in real estate, debt and other investments for investment funds, foreign governments, other non-U.S. investors, corporations and individuals, including through the use of REITs to invest in hotels, health care facilities as well as other real estate.   He also worked on a wide range of transactions including sales and dispositions of REITs, partnership reorganizations, asset sales, sale-leasebacks, and fund formations.  Mr. Kniesly also has extensive experience advising on New York state and local tax issues, including transfer taxes, commercial rent and occupancy taxes and others.

Mr. Kniesly is recognized as a leading New York Tax practitioner by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, noting that he is a “really great advisor with a great ability to boil down issues,” and “has a good understanding of transactions and how to make arguments.”

Mr. Kniesly received his Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1998, and is admitted to practice in the State of New York.

Capabilities

• Tax
• Real Estate
• Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

Credentials

Education:

• University of Pennsylvania - 1998 Juris Doctor
• The Ohio State University - 1992 B.S. Business Administration

Admissions:

• New York Bar