People
Donald R. Gustafson

Donald R. Gustafson

Partner

Donald represents various clients in the development of various types of projects on a national, regional and local marketplace. Based on his 40 years of experience in private legal practice, he has represented clients in a broad spectrum of development transactions, including offices, retail, multi-family and mixed-use projects. Donald has also counseled local, regional and national financial institutions and banks in real estate financing, acquisition and construction projects.

Donald represents developers, investors, and owners in a wide array of real estate related projects, land use permitting, site acquisition and development, negotiation of acquisition agreements, easement agreements and development agreements. He has represented various housing development agencies in affordable housing developments, including HOPE VI Projects. Donald has also represented the Redevelopment Agencies in acquiring real estate and development for large scale projects in the state.

In addition to individual lenders and developers, Donald also represents various corporations in connection with their real estate needs throughout the country. Based on his 40 years of experience, Donald has extensive experience in representing lenders, as well as borrowers, in restructuring workouts with respect to the disposition of various assets.

Based on his strong relationship with clients over an extended period of time, Donald has represented some of the largest developers in the State of Connecticut on some of the major projects. Donald serves as an advisor and general counsel to his clients in connection with the structuring of their entities, their acquisitions and joint venture agreements.

Credentials

Education

John Marshall Law School, J.D., 1979,
high distinction
The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, B.A., 1975, cum laude

Bar Admissions

Connecticut, 1979

Distinctions

AV Preeminent® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Listed in Chambers USA, Real Estate (2010-2024)

Professional Affiliations

Connecticut Bar Association Real Estate Section and Commercial Law Section
Real Estate Finance Association and Past President
American Bar Association
Stamford/Norwalk Regional Association

Community Involvement

Aid for Retarded Children ARI Stamford - Board of Directors
Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
Members of City of Norwalk Mayor’s Ad Hoc Committee for the Waypointe Development

Experience

General

LIHTC Financing of Affordable Housing Development in New Haven

Represented a large regional developer with respect to a series of transactions which will result in the rehabilitation and renovation of the former Welch Annex School in New Haven into 30 apartments providing 100% deed-restricted affordable housing as part of New Haven’s Hill-to-Downtown Project. The transactions involved simultaneously closing on the acquisition of the property, 4% low-income housing tax credit financing from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Housing Trust Fund financing from the Connecticut Department of Housing, CDBG financing from the City of New Haven and an unsecured loan from a related party, while entering into a joint venture agreement with a tax credit investor. In addition, our team prepared and negotiated the construction contract and various subcontracts, efficiently navigating the myriad requirements of the various governmental agencies involved.