The ACREL Files

ACREL Files 2.0 continues with Jay Epstien’s interview of Len O’Donnell, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Affinius Capital (formerly USAA Real Estate Company). Len oversees the company's approximately $35 billion of assets under management for the benefit of the investment portfolio and its 200+ investor clients. Prior to joining USAA Real Estate in 2011, Len was a Principal and Chief...

During the past year, ACREL Past President Jay Epstien, has interviewed ten of the most accomplished real estate lawyers in the country who were founders and long-time members of the College. Our podcast series now pivots to a series of interviews with iconic real estate investors who have led the companies that have shaped the industry to share insights on their careers and predictions for the fu...

The ACREL Files finishes its debut season with podcast host, Jay Epstien, interviewing Michael Rubin. Mike Rubin was elected to ACREL in 1986, served as the College’s President in 2007, and received the prestigious Frederick Lane Award in 2020. In addition, Michael is the past president of the Bar Association of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Louisiana State Bar Association,...

Nina Matis was elected to ACREL in 1988 and served on ACREL’s Board of Governors. Among her many accomplishments, Nina co-chaired the real estate practice at Katten Muchin Rosenman, and went on to serve as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of iStar Financial. She also was an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University School of Law where she taught Real Estate Transactions. Nina’s prac...

Sandy Weiner was elected to ACREL in 1982 and served as the College’s President in 2003. Sandy practiced in the Houston office of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. for his entire career. His practice involved the acquisition, disposition, development, financing and leasing of commercial real estate projects and energy-related projects such as electric power generation, storage facilities, refineries, pet...

Morton Fisher became a Fellow of ACREL in 1981 and served as the College’s President in 1989. Morty earned his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth and his law degree at Yale University. He led the real estate practice at Frank, Bernstein, Conaway & Goldman before joining Ballard Spahr in 1992, which was a catalyst for the growth of Ballard’s nationally recognized real estate practice. In the ear...

Portia Morrison became a Fellow of ACREL in 1992 and served as the College’s third female President in 2005. Portia earned her undergraduate degree at Agnes Scott College (where she has served on the Board of Trustees) and her law degree at the University of Chicago. Among her career highlights, Portia chaired the real estate practice at Rudnick & Wolfe and received the Howard Kane Award recog...

Don Siskind is a Founding Fellow of ACREL, having been elected in 1979 and served as the College’s President in 1997. Don received the prestigious Frederick Lane Award in 2004. Don earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania and his law degree at Columbia University. He was one of the leading real estate lawyers in New York City, combining immense legal experience with busine...

Caryl Welborn became a Fellow of ACREL in 1989 and served as the College’s second female President in 2001. Among her proudest accomplishments at ACREL was the founding of ACREL Cares. Caryl earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford and her law degree at UCLA. Caryl’s practice included all aspects of transactional commercial real estate, specializing in investment structuring. In addition, Car...

Bill Dunn is a charter member of ACREL, elected in 1979 and serving as President in 1984. Bill’s contributions to the College and the legal profession were recognized when he received the prestigious Frederick S. Lane Award in 2017. He also has served as Chair of the ABA Real Property, Probate and Trust Section. Bill earned his undergraduate degree from Muskingum College and his law degree at the...

John Hollyfield is a charter member of ACREL, elected in 1980 and serving as President in 1991. John’s contributions to the College and the legal profession were recognized when he received the prestigious Frederick S. Lane Award in 2015. He also has served as Chair of the ABA Real Property, Probate and Trust Section and the Anglo American Real Property Institute. John earned his undergraduate and...

Steve Cowan is a charter member of ACREL, elected with the first class of fellows in 1979. He is also a founder of the California Bar Association’s Real Property Section, and served as Chair of the ABA Real Property, Probate and Trust Section. Steve is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Harvard Law School. His practice focused on real estate, finance, real estate fund forma...