Real Estate Attorney of the Year Finalist: Andrew Van Noord, Kirkland & Ellis
Andrew Van Noord was named a finalist for “Real Estate Attorney of the Year” as part of Texas Lawyer's Texas Legal Awards, and participated in this Q&A.
How do you stay ahead of evolving real estate regulations and market trends?
Staying ahead of evolving real estate regulations and market trends is fundamental to my practice and has become second nature through continuous education, strategic networking and hands-on experience. Real estate law is in a constant state of change, impacted by shifting policies, regulations and market dynamics. Staying ahead of these evolving issues requires a proactive, multi-layered approach. I am constantly monitoring the legal and real estate market landscape through a variety of sources including industry conferences, continuing legal education courses, publications and, regularly engaging with my partners and clients on real-time topics to identify and anticipate shifts in approaches and legal issues. These sources keep me attuned not only to statutory changes but also to subtle shifts in investor sentiment and priorities—all of which influence how deals are structured and negotiated.
How does that knowledge shape your approach to transactions?
Market-wise, I collaborate with a wide variety of industry professionals from investment advisers and brokers to clients across different segments of the market. My firm also invests significant time and focus on collecting and analyzing data points on real estate transactions and critical deal terms, so we have real-time data as to what is currently “market” in a shifting landscape. This depth of knowledge directly informs my transactional strategy. It enables me to flag potential regulatory hurdles early, craft forward-thinking deal structures and build in legal flexibility to accommodate future shifts in regulations or policies. My clients rely on me not just to close deals, but to guide them toward sustainable investments. By integrating market insight with legal foresight, I help them remain competitive and compliant in a rapidly evolving landscape, and I use this knowledge to tailor strategies to reflect current realities and anticipate new ones. You can’t take a one-size fits all approach—each client, project and transaction are different and has its own set of complications. Taking a proactive approach enables me to recommend innovative deal structures that meet both regulatory standards and client objectives. This agility has proven invaluable in complex, multi-party transactions where regulatory precision and creative problem-solving go hand in hand.
Ultimately, my forward-looking approach helps clients mitigate risk, seize opportunity and close deals with confidence. I view every transaction not only through the lens of current market requirements but with a clear eye on what lies ahead. This commitment to staying informed and adaptable has enabled me to deliver strategic, future-proof legal counsel in a fast-changing real estate landscape.
