Elsa A. Ben Shimon

Elsa Ben Shimon represents institutional investors in joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions, and financings of large-scale commercial real estate projects, including office buildings, shopping centers, industrial complexes, condominium properties and multifamily residential projects throughout the United States. She also has experience representing U.S. clients in cross- border real estate transactions particularly in Europe and Asia, acting as lead counsel on the corporate real estate aspect of the transaction and providing oversight on the acquisition and financing of the assets.

Elsa counsels a wide variety of client types on their real estate investments, including pension funds, private real estate funds, and public and private REITs, as well as their investment advisors. She has also counseled clients with distressed real estate, and has handled a variety of sophisticated, high-value transactions involving landmark properties and trophy assets.

Elsa has also developed a deep experience helping Israeli investors expand their holdings in U.S. real estate on the debt and equity side. Major Israeli institutions regularly call on her for assistance in investing in U.S. real estate assets. Beyond traditional legal counsel, Elsa regularly provides clients with introductions to potential deal and business partners. An Israeli national, Elsa has many ties in the Israeli business community and is uniquely positioned to assist leading U.S. institutions and real estate companies in navigating the Israeli capital markets.

Elsa also has experience in the PropTech sector, connecting leading real estate companies and institutions with technology startups, and providing counsel on investment rounds in such startups.

Elsa is fluent in Hebrew and French.

• Acquisitions / Dispositions
• Corporate Real Estate
• Israel
• Joint Ventures
• PropTech
• Qualified Opportunity Zones
• Real Estate

• Ones to Watch, New York Real Estate Journal, 2021
• Super Lawyers: New York Metro Rising Star, 2016-2019

• Board Member, America-Israel Friendship League

• Advisory Committee Member, Women in PropTech

• Speaker, "Women In Legislative Leadership: Challenges & Opportunities,"  America-Israel Friendship League, March 6, 2022
• Moderator, "The Climb: Women and The Legislative Ladder," America-Israel Friendship League, March 2021 
• Speaker, "Evan Hudson and Elsa Ben Shimon Discuss SPACs and Real Estate," Stroock Podcast, January 2021
• Moderator, "Leveraging PropTech Innovation to Help Meet Climate Mandates" Stroock, October 29, 2020
• Moderator, “The Expanding Role of a General Counsel: Balancing Work, Life, & Responsibilities,” Women, Influence & Power In Law Virtual Summit, October 26, 2020  
• Panelist, "Qualified Opportunity Funds, Opportunity Zones and ESG Investing Conference," NYSSCPA, September 17, 2020
• Moderator, “The Cases for Responsible Investing,” Women in PropTech Summit, October 18, 2019
• Moderator, "GCs as Leaders:Collaborating with the CEO, the Board & Understanding the Needs of the Corporation," Corporate Counsel's General Counsel Conference, September 25, 2019
• Moderator, "QOZ's: Funds Administration Issues," NYSSCPA’s First Annual Qualified Opportunity Funds and Opportunity Zones Symposium, June 19, 2019
• “In the Tranches: Where Are Industry Vets Finding Market Opportunities Today?” Commercial Observer’s Real Estate Forum, April 9, 2019

• Co-author, "NYC Department of Buildings Releases Proposed Rules for Climate Mobilization Act Compliance – Net Effect of Proposed Rules Is a Positive Development for NYC Building Owners," Stroock Client Alert, October 12, 2022
• Co-author, "New York City Department of Finance Adopts Final Rule Expanding CPACE Program," Stroock Client Alert, October 26, 2021
• Co-author, "DOB Releases Long-Awaited Guidance for Climate Mobilization Act Adjustment Applications," Stroock Client Alert, April 16, 2021

New York

Tel Aviv University, Buchmann Faculty School of Law, 2002

M.I.A., Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, 2007