Overview

Kate Mathews focuses her practice on providing clients with practical, creative, business-driven solutions to complex legal issues. Kate’s experience handling sophisticated real estate and commercial finance transactions translates into valuable counsel to her clients.

Kate routinely works with real estate developers on purchase and sale transactions, including representation of both buyers and sellers of real estate in multiple states in a variety of sectors including office, industrial, multifamily, and retail. Kate has a strong background in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bond financing, state and local financing and equity structuring, land acquisition and financing, construction and permanent financing, retail and industrial leasing, workforce housing initiatives, and divestiture of assets and investments.

Kate also represents major banks, regional banks, and financial institutions as agents and lenders providing financing to a diverse spectrum of industries. She has significant experience working with senior and mezzanine lenders on leveraged acquisition financings, multistate secured credit facilities, mezzanine financings, and refinancings.

Education

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., 2003

Duquesne University, B.A., Communications Studies and Literature, 1997, summa cum laude

Admissions

Washington

Illinois

Experience

  • Represented the Vancouver Housing Authority on closing a $71.6 million financing to rehabilitate two multifamily affordable housing projects in Vancouver, Washington, known as the Esther Short Commons and Cougar Creek Apartments. The projects are being funded through a mix of tax-exempt bonds, low-income housing tax credits, and additional loans. 

  • Represented client in a $29.3 million acquisition and development financing of a former senior living facility in Bellevue, Washington, that will be converted to affordable housing. The project, funded with tax-exempt bonds and a significant loan, involved a joint development with a nonprofit affordable housing organization.
  • Represented Bellingham Housing Authority in a LIHTC project that will add approximately 180 new rental units, together with commercial space to serve as the Authority’s new offices. This project includes 9% tax credits, 4% tax credits, and tax-exempt bond financing, as well as additional public funding.
  • Represented nonprofit hub on the development of a new campus center in Redmond, Washington, including the development agreement, condominium creation, ground lease, and temporary relocation of 20 plus essential-service nonprofit members.
  • Represented public housing authority on the streamlined voluntary conversion of public housing units and subsequent financing of a scattered site project involving Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, and other public and private funding.
  • Advised Seattle-based developer on the acquisition, development, and sale of a $225.3 million apartment tower in downtown Seattle.
  • Counseled Seattle-based developer on the $44.5 million acquisition of a mixed-use office, retail and restaurant project in Kirkland, Washington.
  • Represented developer on the acquisition, construction, and sale of an $89.5 million multifamily, mixed-use development in the Seattle area.
  • Advised California-based developer on the disposition through seller-financing of 42 condominium units in Seattle to international purchaser.
  • Represented California hotel developer on the ground floor retail leasing and rooftop cell tower leasing for a downtown Seattle hotel.
  • Represented tenant in the restructuring of a ground lease interest and sublease to a hotel operator.
  • Represent multiple landlords in connection with retail and restaurant leasing for properties in downtown Seattle, Kirkland, and Bellevue, Washington.
  • Assisted Colorado real estate company on development of retail and office portions of 3,000-acre master plan community, including sale of marketplace sites, negotiation of retail sales fee agreements, and department of transportation use agreements.
  • Advised regional hospital on development of new medical center, including contribution of real property from private developer and structuring of workforce housing component for hospital employees.
  • Counseled private lenders on the financing of real estate assets for the development of more than a dozen cannabis dispensaries in Oregon and California.
  • Counseled regional financial institution to obtain a term loan for the acquisition and renovation of a private school in the Seattle area and private bond financing for senior living and affordable housing projects in the Spokane area.
  • U.S.-based counsel for multiple Canadian investors in real estate assets in Washington, Oregon, and California.
  • Successfully closed single-asset and portfolio commercial real estate transactions, including resolution of title and survey issues, and drafting and negotiating purchase and sale, option, right of first refusal, and ground lease agreements.
  • Counseled landlords and tenants of retail and industrial leases, including negotiation of lease terms, construction of tenant improvements, and lease dispute resolution.
  • Assisted high net-worth individuals in resolving issues related to permitting of single-family home construction, including easements, plat revision and interface with governmental authorities.
  • Drafted and negotiated debt and equity documentation for real estate developers, investors, and lenders.

Insights

Insights & Presentations

  • “Financing Options Affordable Housing Developers Should Consider” (co-author), Portland Business Journal, October 10, 2022
  • “New Bill Exempts Real Estate Excise Tax for Real Property Sales or Transfers for Affordable Housing” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP legal alert, April 28, 2022
  • “Affordable Housing Law Alert: Revival of the Density Bonus Law—Affordable Housing to the Rescue?” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP legal alert, September 15, 2020
  • “Structuring Your Deal Now to Plan for the Exit 15 Years Later,” 24th Annual Utah Housing Matters Conference, September 1, 2020
  • “Affordable Housing Developer Faces Enforcement Action for Violating Washington Eviction Moratorium” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP legal alert, August 31, 2020
  • “Washington Department of Revenue Issues Special Notice Interpreting SHB 2384 on Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP legal alert, August 20, 2020
  • “Affordable Housing Law Alert: IRS Grants Temporary Relief for Qualified Low-Income Housing and Residential Rental Projects” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP legal alert, August 6, 2020
  • “Washington Lawmakers Pass Bills Expanding Property and Excise Tax Exemptions for Affordable Housing—Property Tax Bill Survives” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP legal alert, May 6, 2020

Recognition

  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® (Real Estate Law, Commercial Finance Law), 2024–present
  • Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Washington) by Chambers USA (Real Estate), 2023–present

Affiliations

Professional

  • American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Fellow
  • Home Forum Journal (official publication of the American Bar Association), Editorial Board

Industries

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