Zakarij Thomas

Zak Thomas has evolved into a utility player for real estate clients and banking clients over the years, with a focus on representing developers and lenders, and a niche in community development. He understands the entire life cycle of transactions, from the predevelopment phase and loan origination to closing to stabilized operations and dispositions. He also has substantial experience in bankruptcy, restructuring and workouts to round out his broad base of experience.

Zak’s unique experience includes immersion in the business side of his development and lending clients. After becoming a shareholder with a national firm, Zak took a 3-year hiatus from the practice of law to originate loans and provide technical assistance to mission-driven developers revitalizing disinvested neighborhoods and providing affordable housing. After returning to the practice of law in 2018, Zak has used this experience to better understand the perspective and needs of not only his clients, but their business partners, to maximize his value as counsel.

Outside of the office, Zak keeps busy and entertained spending time with his young daughter, Mika, taking his springer-spaniel, Lady, on trail runs and helping his wife in the garden while they both escape the rigors of their active legal practices. He is also routinely active on the board of directors of multiple nonprofits and is a member of numerous community development and affordable housing committees. Having grown up as a competitive rower in West Virginia, he dreams of getting back on the water someday.

Education

Duke University School of Law, J.D., 2001; Environmental Law and Policy Forum
Carnegie Mellon University, B.S., 1998, Honors, business administration, minor in engineering studies
National Development Council, Rental Housing Development Finance Professional Certification, 2018

Practice Areas
Development & Construction
Real Property Acquisition & Disposition
Commercial Lending & Finance

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Memberships

Allegheny County Bar Association
Urban Land Institute
PublicSource, member of the founding board of directors, treasurer
Urban Redevelopment Authority, Real Estate Loan Review Committee, Business Loan Review Committee