David W. Bonser | Washington, D.C. | Hogan Lovells

David W. Bonser

Partner Corporate & Finance

Bonser David

David W. Bonser
Bonser David
  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights and events
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The 'spectacular' David Bonser is known to peers as an 'extremely experienced real estate securities partner.' His clients, private and public real estate companies, turn to him for corporate, securities, and partnership transactional counsel, on matters such as IPOs, offerings, and governance.

Chambers USA 2018

David is the Global Managing Partner of the Corporate practice and Global Co-Head of the REIT practice. He has advised public and private companies on corporate, securities, and partnership transactions for more than 30 years. He has advised issuers and underwriters in more than 100 public and private capital-raising transactions, with a particular focus on helping real estate companies raise capital.

In his public company capital markets practice, David guides companies through complex initial public offerings (IPOs), helping them raise equity and debt capital as public companies, and providing general securities law and governance advice once they are public. In his private capital markets practice, he advises clients on private placements and private equity fund formations.

David also has broad experience in public and private mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and joint ventures for real estate companies, serving as the primary counsel in numerous high-profile transactions over the past 15 years. He has represented buyers, sellers (including special committees of public company boards), partners, and financial advisors.

David has been focusing on real estate investment trust (REITs) since before they were cool; he has been at the forefront of the REIT industry since it took off in the early 1990s. He has served as counsel to issuers and underwriters for dozens of public company REITs. He is a regular speaker at industry events, and has been ranked for years in Tier 1 for REITs in both Chambers and Legal 500.

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'He is an outstanding lawyer; he is smart, business-focused and overall very impressive.'

Client quoted in Chambers USA 2024

Representative experience

The JBG Companies in its US$10bn merger and spin-off transaction with Vornado Realty Trust to create JBG SMITH Properties.

Colony NorthStar in its US$5.5bn tri-party merger transaction with NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust Inc. and NorthStar Real Estate Income II Inc.

The Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT II Inc. in its US$8.6bn merger transaction with Phillips Edison & Company Inc.

Bell Partners Inc. in the formation of three real estate investment funds raising more than US$1.2bn.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and other underwriters as underwriters' counsel in the US$250m IPO by Hudson Pacific Properties.

QTS Realty Trust in its US$300m IPO and multiple subsequent follow-on common stock, preferred stock, and debt offerings.

RLJ Lodging Trust in its merger transaction with FelCor Lodging Trust, creating one of the largest lodging REITs with a combined enterprise value of US$7bn.

Industrial Income Trust in its US$6.4bn sale to Global Logistic Properties.

Kite Realty Group Trust in its US$2.1bn acquisition of Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust.

RLJ Lodging Trust in its US$570m IPO and multiple subsequent follow-on common stock offerings.

J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, and other underwriters as underwriters' counsel in the US$300m IPO by Retail Properties of America.

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, with honors, 1987
  • B.A., Duke University, cum laude, 1984
Bar admissions and qualifications
  • District of Columbia
Memberships
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts

Recognition

Dealmaker of the Year

The American Lawyer

2023
Real Estate: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Hall of Fame

Legal500 US

2024
REITs (Nationwide)

Chambers USA

2007-2024
Finance: Capital Markets: Debt Offerings, Recommended

Legal 500 US

2011-2023
Finance: Capital Markets: Equity Offerings, Recommended

Legal 500 US

2012-2024
Real Estate: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Leading Lawyer

Legal 500 US

2008-2022
Real Estate MVP

Law360

2021
Capital Markets: Debt, Notable Practitioner

IFLR1000

2020-2021
Capital Markets: Equity, Notable Practitioner

IFLR1000

2020-2021
Real Estate, Notable Practitioner

IFLR1000

2020-2021
M&A/Corporate and Commercial: M&A: Large Deals ($1bn+), Recommended

Legal 500 US

2018-2020
M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Shareholder Activism: Advice to Boards

Legal 500 US

2019