Kevin Wakefield, a real estate finance lawyer, has joined Jones Day from Hunton Andrews Kurth as of counsel in the firm’s Dallas office. He will focus his practice on commercial real estate finance and transactions, representing institutional lenders in commercial mortgage and mezzanine loan originations, while also advising clients on commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, development and leasing, according to a news release.
Before joining Jones Day, Wakefield spent almost 13 years at Hunton Andrews Kurth, where he was promoted to counsel in 2024. He represented banks, insurance companies and other institutional lenders in commercial real estate finance matters, with a practice focused on commercial mortgage and mezzanine lending. Wakefield has represented lenders in several large real estate finance transactions, including a $376 million mortgage loan secured by 20 industrial properties across multiple states and a $395 million mortgage and mezzanine financing for an office complex in Silicon Valley.
“Kevin is a terrific addition to our Dallas Office,” said Matt Kairis, Partner-in-Charge of the Dallas office and Texas Region for Jones Day. “His arrival strengthens our real estate finance capabilities not just here in Dallas, but across our offices throughout Texas and the United States. As Dallas continues to grow as a hub for institutional real estate capital, having a lawyer of Kevin’s caliber on the ground here reinforces our commitment to serving clients throughout the region and beyond.”
Jones Day recorded $183 million in Texas revenue last year, a 4.7 percent increase since 2024, and reported a headcount of 143 lawyers, a decrease of 2.7 percent, according to the Lawbook 50.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Wakefield focuses his practice on commercial real estate finance, representing banks, insurance companies and other institutional lenders in the origination of commercial mortgage and mezzanine loans. He also advises real estate developers, owners and investors on acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, development and leasing transactions.
EDUCATION
Fordham University School of Law (JD, 2012)
Columbia University (BA, 2009)