Kirkland & Ellis announced today that Matthew Bettinger and Seth Henslovitz have joined the Firm as partners in the Real Estate Practice Group.

“Matt and Seth are talented real estate finance lawyers and rising leaders in this area,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. “We’re thrilled to have them join the team.”

Mr. Bettinger represents clients in connection with commercial real estate finance. He has advised investment funds, real estate investment trusts, insurance companies and banks on a variety of financing transactions. He has experience in loan originations and syndications, as well as debt restructurings. The Legal 500 U.S. recognized Mr. Bettinger as a “Rising Star” in the Real Estate Finance category, and the New York Real Estate Law Journal listed him in its “Ones to Watch” Rising Star category.

Mr. Henslovitz counsels both borrowers and lenders on financing commercial mortgage and mezzanine debt, workouts and debt restructurings. His clients have included real estate private equity funds, real estate investment trusts and insurance companies, and owners and developers of commercial office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, residential complexes, industrial properties and undeveloped land. He has been recognized as a “Next Generation Lawyer” by The Legal 500 U.S., and one of “Fifty Under 40” by Real Estate Forum.

“Matt and Seth will be great additions to our real estate team,” said real estate partner Victoria Shusterman. “They bring breadth and depth in terms of experience guiding some of the most complex financing deals for real estate clients and are both recognized within the industry as up-and-coming leaders.”

Mr. Bettinger joins from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, where he was a partner. He earned degrees from Yale University, Fordham University School of Law and Brandeis University.

“I am excited to be a part of a real estate team with the experience and reputation that Kirkland has,” said Mr. Bettinger. “The group is an excellent fit for my own practice, and I am excited to join new colleagues and to work together to serve clients.”

Mr. Henslovitz joins from Schulte Roth & Zabel, where he was a partner. He earned degrees from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“I have worked across from many Kirkland lawyers and have always been impressed with their skill and knowledge of the industry,” said Mr. Henslovitz. “I look forward to calling these talented professionals my colleagues.”

Kirkland’s leading Real Estate Finance Practice services both lenders and borrowers in a wide variety of real estate financing transactions across the entire capital structure. The Firm has substantial experience in every type of real estate financing transaction, advising on structuring, negotiation and documentation of mortgage financings, mezzanine financings, term and revolving credit facilities, secured and unsecured general and working capital loans, balance sheet and debt financings and asset securitization financings. 

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada Announces Expansion of CASA Program for Federal Defendants Eligible for Rehabilitation

            LOS ANGELES – United States Attorney Martin Estrada announced today the expansion of the Conviction and Sentence Alternatives (CASA) program, which is being made available to a wider group of defendants by an expansion of admission criteria to include defendants facing federal charges who have demonstrated an ability and willingness to make significant and meaningful changes to their lives. 

Successful participants in the CASA program have their charges dismissed or receive a recommendation of a non-custodial sentence.

The CASA partners – which are comprised of the United States District Court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender, and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services – are expanding the program to admit applicants who can benefit from a rigorous, structured program regardless of whether they can demonstrate a substance use or mental health issue that contributed to the underlying federal offense. The expanded CASA admission criteria are posted to the United States Attorney’s Office public website, and prospective applicants are encouraged to refer to them.  

“The CASA program enhances public safety by guiding low-level offenders through a rigorous rehabilitation program that will reduce recidivism,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “This program has been a major success and a model for the nation, and I am grateful for the hard work of our CASA partners and participants who have brought positive change in their communities.”    

“I am proud of CASA’s 12-year track record of success in assisting defendants to effectuate a positive trajectory in their lives without incarceration and applaud the U.S. Attorneys’ Office formal embrace of expanded admission criteria that accurately reflect CASA’s mission and objectives,” said Chief United States District Judge Dolly M. Gee of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

“The Federal Public Defender’s Office looks forward to the expansion of CASA,” said Federal Public Defender Cuauhtemoc Ortega. “We will continue to advocate for applicants that are deserving and in need of the resources CASA can provide. Our office remains committed to work together with all the CASA partners to shepherd participants toward graduation and a successful future. CASA is living proof that alternatives to incarceration programs work and have an important role on our criminal justice system.”

The CASA program began in 2012 and there are now nearly 400 successful graduates. It is a collaborative, interagency program that enjoys support from the United States District Court, the United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office, the Federal Public Defender, and the United States Attorney’s Office. Each agency provides considerable resources to the program throughout the Central District of California – a seven-county area comprised of the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. 

CASA uses its resources and evidence-based practices to support participants in addressing substance use disorders, mental health challenges, negative peer associations, and other issues which may have contributed to the commitment of the charged federal crime. For suitable applicants, CASA provides an alternative to incarceration aimed at successfully re-integrating federal defendants into families, communities, employment, and a crime-free, drug-free lifestyle.

The CASA program includes bi-weekly court sessions, structured straining to help in planning and developing improved decision making, job and work application skills, and, when needed and directed, substance abuse treatment and mental health therapy.

            The CASA program was initially modeled on state drug-court programs and the Central District of California’s successful Substance Abuse Treatment and Re-Entry (STAR) program. Over time, it was recognized that the CASA program could have utility beyond addressing substance use and mental health issues. 

            Release No. 24-302