Profile
Sherman W. Smith III is a transactional attorney with deep experience in a cross-section of practice areas as a member of the Corporate Practice, based in Greenberg Traurig's Philadelphia office. Sherman works with and counsels private equity funds, hedge funds, family offices, privately-held business owners and entrepreneurs in a plethora of transactional matters, including real estate finance, acquisition, development and disposition. From a commercial finance perspective, Sherman represents major financial institutions in transactions involving asset-based and cash-flow credit facilities. His many representations have included some of the nation’s largest financial institutions, where he has worked alongside loan officers in the structuring, negotiating, and documenting loans for lenders.
Similarly, Sherman has worked beside some of the nation’s largest private equity and hedge funds, frequently lending his years of experience to privately-held businesses as an outside general counsel and advisor. Those clients include prominent real estate developers embarking on all phases of real estate development and project-related finance matters. Sherman also routinely counsels companies seeking to become certified minority owned business enterprises as well as advises private equity investors seeking to invest in certified minority-owned businesses without such overtures jeopardizing the entities’ MBE status.
A third-generation Howard University Law School graduate, Sherman is equally invested in the civic life and economic empowerment of area residents, seen in instances such as his years of service on the board of the Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC).
Concentrations
- Finance
- Fund formation
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Real estate investment and development
- Private equity
- MBE certification
Capabilities
Experience
- Represented private equity investors in joint venture transaction for the development of a state-of-the-art life sciences building at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
- Represented a family office and hedge fund with investment and securing a majority ownership in a multi-family development in the Mid-West.
- Represented community-impact real estate developer in the acquisition and development of commercial and multi-family buildings designed to be a holistic development approach to serve local residents and support community transformation through promotion of health and well-being and economic mobility for long-time residents.
- Represented franchisee in the negotiation of five franchise agreements for separate nationally recognized franchise locations in the Midwest and ongoing representation of the franchisee in all aspects of development of commercial space and standing-up of the franchise locations.
- Negotiated, formed, and advised a California-based infrastructure private equity fund, with a major pension trust as its lead investor.
- Served as counsel on a $40 million private equity health care investment on behalf of a major public pension fund.°
- Represented a client in the divesture of limited partnership interests in 28 separate private equity funds valued at some $30 million.°
- Represented a client in the creation of a unique private equity fund focused on specific commercial real estate segments.°
- Represented clients in the acquisition, trading, and disposition of private aircraft and helicopters.°
- Represented group of equity investors with respect to their equity investment in a state-of-the art $65 million ground-up life sciences project at the Philadelphia Naval Yard.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Smith prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- Associate General Counsel, Don King Productions, Inc. 1999-2003
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, City & State Pennsylvania, "Law Power 100," 2022-2024
- Listed, Lawdragon, 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers, 2024
- Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2023
- Member, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1992-Present
- Board Member, Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), Inc., 2016-2023
- Member, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Boulé)
- Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Credentials
- J.D., with honors, Howard University School of Law, 1992
- B.A., magna cum laude, Morehouse College, 1989
- Pennsylvania