Robert G. Gottlieb

Partner
Robert Gottlieb

Concentrating in the areas of complex tax and business transactions, Partner Robert Gottlieb helps Venable LLP clients structure and negotiate real estate, partnership, and other business agreements. Real estate developers, investors, management and leasing companies, and tenants rely on his counsel in acquiring and disposing of properties, capital formation, financing, and everyday management issues.

Robert Gottlieb has over 30 years experience as a tax and business lawyer whose practice focuses on structuring and negotiating complex real estate, partnership and business transactions. He advises clients, including real estate developers, tenants, management and leasing companies, and investors, on both day-to-day matters and specific real estate, capital formation, financing and business transactions.

In his tax practice, Robert advises clients in tax planning, choice of entity and structuring investments. A frequent lecturer on advanced tax issues, his practice emphasizes partnership tax planning, passive loss and interest deduction limitations, installment sales and like-kind exchanges, and the tax aspects of leases and loan transactions. Robert represents real estate developers and investors in the acquisition, leasing, financing and disposition of properties. He also guides clients in choosing and structuring investment vehicles (including partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies) to facilitate capital formation and the financing of acquisitions. Robert also focuses in the workout of problem properties, debt restructurings and conveyances of property in lieu of foreclosure, including the Federal and local income tax consequences associated with such transactions.

In addition to his tax and real estate practice, Robert assists clients in a variety of business transactions, including the purchase and sale of assets, stock and partnership interests and the negotiation and preparation of shareholder, partnership, employment, property management, and lease agreements and other business contracts. The ability to represent his clients as both business and tax counsel permits Robert to work very closely with clients in all aspects of a transaction.

Experience

Representative Matters

Robert has recently represented a series of clients in the acquisition and debt and equity financing of a variety of real estate projects, including mixed-use projects, multi-family housing, office buildings, warehouses and shopping centers, and in the tax structuring of transactions, including debt for equity swaps, like-kind exchanges and partnership restructurings. He has assisted clients in completing sales and tax deferred contributions to REITS, and has also assisted REITS in the acquisition of new projects.

Insights

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. with honors George Washington University Law School 1976
  • B.A. cum laude Pennsylvania State University 1973

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Member, American College of Real Estate Lawyers

Recognition
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  • Who’s Who Legal, Real Estate, 2017 – 2018, 2023 – 2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America
    • Lawyer of the Year, Real Estate Law, 2020
    • Real Estate Law, 2006 – 2025
  • Super Lawyers, Real Estate, Washington, DC, 2007 - 2023
  • Expert Guides, Construction and Real Estate, 2014
  • International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers, 2013 – 2014
  • Chambers USA
    • Senior Statesperson, Real Estate, Washington, DC, 2022 – 2024
    • Real Estate (Band 1), Washington, DC, 2015 – 2021
    • Real Estate (Band 2), Washington, DC, 2009 – 2014
    • Real Estate (Band 3), Washington, DC, 2008
    • Real Estate (Band 4), Washington, DC, 2007
  • Legal 500, Real Estate, 2012, 2014 – 2015
  • Washingtonian
    • Top Lawyers Hall of Fame, 2022
    • Top Lawyers, 2007, 2010 – 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 – 2018
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rated

Community
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Personal Activities

Robert has taught at The George Washington University Law Center and Georgetown Law Center from 1984-2009, teaching a graduate level course in the federal taxation of real estate transactions. His many lecture topics before legal and accounting groups have included the passive loss rules, like-kind exchanges, tax aspects of debt restructuring and the use of partnerships for real estate investments.