Carmen Fanego
Counsel
2 South Biscayne Blvd.
21st Floor
Miami, FL 33131
21st Floor
Miami, FL 33131
carmen.fanego@nelsonmullins.com
Carmen blends large-firm discipline with the pragmatism of in-house counsel experience to deliver tailored, business-minded legal solutions.
Carmen represents financial institutions, real estate developers and owner-operators, private and public companies, and investors operating across the United States and abroad. Her work spans a wide range of corporate and real estate matters, including credit facility...
Carmen blends large-firm discipline with the pragmatism of in-house counsel experience to deliver tailored, business-minded legal solutions.
Carmen represents financial institutions, real estate developers and owner-operators, private and public companies, and investors operating across the United States and abroad. Her work spans a wide range of corporate and real estate matters, including credit facility origination and servicing, real estate financing, acquisition, disposition, development, and construction; management, operation, and leasing of multi-family, luxury single-family, industrial, office, and retail properties; retail banking operations and compliance; corporate risk management, entity structuring and governance; and commercial contract drafting and negotiation.
Carmen’s distinctive approach to client service is both holistic and precise defined by reliability, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to advancing her clients’ business objectives.
origination and servicing, real estate financing, acquisition, disposition, development, and construction; management, operation, and leasing of multi-family, luxury single-family, industrial, office, and retail properties; retail banking operations and compliance; corporate risk management, entity structuring and governance; and commercial contract drafting and negotiation.
Carmen’s distinctive approach to client service is both holistic and precise defined by reliability, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to advancing her clients’ business objectives.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Previous Professional Experience
- Lead In-house Counsel, multi-state owner-operator of retail, multi-family, and industrial properties in 22 states and Puerto Rico (2022–2025)
- Partner and Co-Chair of Real Estate and Finance, Coral Gables boutique firm (2021-2022)
- Associate General Counsel, multi-family and industrial sponsor and developer (2017-2021)
- Associate Counsel and Corporate Secretary to Board of Directors, US-based bank subsidiary of Spanish bank holding company (2010-2017)
- Associate, Coral Gables boutique firm (2008-2009)
- Real Estate Associate in top 100 law firm in the United States as ranked by the National Law Journal (2005-2008)
- Associate General Counsel, large Florida-based community bank (2001-2005)
- Associate, Miami boutique firm (1999-2001)
Representative Matters
- Represented community bank in originating approximately 500 commercial real estate mortgage loans totaling approximately $1 billion, including SBA-backed 504 transactions, participations, and acquisition and construction loans.
- Represented various banks in restructuring and modifications of mortgage loans primarily secured by single-family and condominium residential projects in various stages of completion.
- Represented owner in acquisition, disposition, and re-financing of retail and multi-family properties in Florida, Kansas, Texas, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico in transactions ranging from $3 million to $10 million each.
- Represented seller in segregation and sale of two adjoining properties within larger subdivision that was formerly a mid-size mall to national storage facility developer, which also entailed the drafting and negotiation of a reciprocal easement agreement.
- Represented developer or investor-partners in several acquisition, capitalization and finance transactions and co-development joint ventures for the development and construction of luxury multifamily projects with funding from traditional institutional loans, private equity, Fannie Mae construction loans, leveraged financing, and senior mortgage financing from investment firms.
- Represented partners in structure of luxury single family projects for demolition, reconstruction, and resale in acquisition and construction financing transactions.
- Represented developer in $73.5 million construction mortgage loan from public institutional fund for mixed-use high-rise project in Chicago’s Downtown Loop District that was converted from a historic office building.
- Represented developer in $48.8 million sale of stabilized 324-unit residential community in Texas.
- Represented developer in various capital restructuring and loan modification transactions secured by unfinished mid-rise and garden-style multi-family projects with banks, private equity partners, and private structured finance firms.
- Represented builders, developer, and investors in acquisitions of apartment complexes for redevelopment and conversion to condominium projects.
- Represented Puerto Rico bank in sale and assignment of $14.9 million construction loan to local community bank.
- Represented Italian bank in loans to Italian borrower for acquisition of boutique hotels in South Miami Beach, Florida.
- Represented bank in $55 million loan to developer for development and construction of branded hotel and in related participation transaction.
- Represented bank in subparticipation transaction with participant in syndicated $350 million revolving credit facility.
- Represented various private investors in purchases of debt and/or distressed assets from banks and distressed projects from developers.
- Represented sellers and buyers in sales of luxury single family or condominium unit residences, including buyer’s purchase of penthouse unit in coveted South Beach high-rise from original developer, which was later sold at a record price.
- Represented community bank in acquisition and disposition of Other Real Estate Owned distressed properties.
- Represented bank in purchase of portfolio of loans from FDIC receiver.
- Represented sponsor in connection with $13 million preferred equity investment from private investor.
- Represented principal of developer in restructure of $7 million debt secured by unsold condominium units.
- Represented builder and developer in acquisition of 152-acre golf course site for development of 58-acre residential community of approximately 1,200 dwelling units amidst active challenge by neighboring homeowners and related loan facility.
- Represented builder and developer in acquisition of 86 acres for development as a 532-unit single family and townhome community.
Languages
- Spanish
Education
-
University of Miami School of Law,
JD
(1998)
- Dean's Honor Scholarship
- University of Miami, BBA, Political Science (1995)
Admissions
- Florida
Practice Areas
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Previous Professional Experience
- Lead In-house Counsel, multi-state owner-operator of retail, multi-family, and industrial properties in 22 states and Puerto Rico (2022–2025)
- Partner and Co-Chair of Real Estate and Finance, Coral Gables boutique firm (2021-2022)
- Associate General Counsel, multi-family and industrial sponsor and developer (2017-2021)
- Associate Counsel and Corporate Secretary to Board of Directors, US-based bank subsidiary of Spanish bank holding company (2010-2017)
- Associate, Coral Gables boutique firm (2008-2009)
- Real Estate Associate in top 100 law firm in the United States as ranked by the National Law Journal (2005-2008)
- Associate General Counsel, large Florida-based community bank (2001-2005)
- Associate, Miami boutique firm (1999-2001)
Representative Matters
- Represented community bank in originating approximately 500 commercial real estate mortgage loans totaling approximately $1 billion, including SBA-backed 504 transactions, participations, and acquisition and construction loans.
- Represented various banks in restructuring and modifications of mortgage loans primarily secured by single-family and condominium residential projects in various stages of completion.
- Represented owner in acquisition, disposition, and re-financing of retail and multi-family properties in Florida, Kansas, Texas, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico in transactions ranging from $3 million to $10 million each.
- Represented seller in segregation and sale of two adjoining properties within larger subdivision that was formerly a mid-size mall to national storage facility developer, which also entailed the drafting and negotiation of a reciprocal easement agreement.
- Represented developer or investor-partners in several acquisition, capitalization and finance transactions and co-development joint ventures for the development and construction of luxury multifamily projects with funding from traditional institutional loans, private equity, Fannie Mae construction loans, leveraged financing, and senior mortgage financing from investment firms.
- Represented partners in structure of luxury single family projects for demolition, reconstruction, and resale in acquisition and construction financing transactions.
- Represented developer in $73.5 million construction mortgage loan from public institutional fund for mixed-use high-rise project in Chicago’s Downtown Loop District that was converted from a historic office building.
- Represented developer in $48.8 million sale of stabilized 324-unit residential community in Texas.
- Represented developer in various capital restructuring and loan modification transactions secured by unfinished mid-rise and garden-style multi-family projects with banks, private equity partners, and private structured finance firms.
- Represented builders, developer, and investors in acquisitions of apartment complexes for redevelopment and conversion to condominium projects.
- Represented Puerto Rico bank in sale and assignment of $14.9 million construction loan to local community bank.
- Represented Italian bank in loans to Italian borrower for acquisition of boutique hotels in South Miami Beach, Florida.
- Represented bank in $55 million loan to developer for development and construction of branded hotel and in related participation transaction.
- Represented bank in subparticipation transaction with participant in syndicated $350 million revolving credit facility.
- Represented various private investors in purchases of debt and/or distressed assets from banks and distressed projects from developers.
- Represented sellers and buyers in sales of luxury single family or condominium unit residences, including buyer’s purchase of penthouse unit in coveted South Beach high-rise from original developer, which was later sold at a record price.
- Represented community bank in acquisition and disposition of Other Real Estate Owned distressed properties.
- Represented bank in purchase of portfolio of loans from FDIC receiver.
- Represented sponsor in connection with $13 million preferred equity investment from private investor.
- Represented principal of developer in restructure of $7 million debt secured by unsold condominium units.
- Represented builder and developer in acquisition of 152-acre golf course site for development of 58-acre residential community of approximately 1,200 dwelling units amidst active challenge by neighboring homeowners and related loan facility.
- Represented builder and developer in acquisition of 86 acres for development as a 532-unit single family and townhome community.
Languages
- Spanish
Professional Activities
- Member, Business Law Section, Florida Bar
- Member, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section, Florida Bar
- Member, Cuban American Bar Association
- Member, Association of Corporate Counsel
Community
- Member, University of Miami Alumni Association
- Volunteer, Church of the Little Flower
Carmen blends large-firm discipline with the pragmatism of in-house counsel experience to deliver tailored, business-minded legal solutions.
Carmen represents financial institutions, real estate developers and owner-operators, private and public companies, and investors operating across the United States and abroad. Her work spans a wide range of corporate and real estate matters, including credit facility... origination and servicing, real estate financing, acquisition, disposition, development, and construction; management, operation, and leasing of multi-family, luxury single-family, industrial, office, and retail properties; retail banking operations and compliance; corporate risk management, entity structuring and governance; and commercial contract drafting and negotiation.
Carmen’s distinctive approach to client service is both holistic and precise defined by reliability, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to advancing her clients’ business objectives.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Previous Professional Experience
- Lead In-house Counsel, multi-state owner-operator of retail, multi-family, and industrial properties in 22 states and Puerto Rico (2022–2025)
- Partner and Co-Chair of Real Estate and Finance, Coral Gables boutique firm (2021-2022)
- Associate General Counsel, multi-family and industrial sponsor and developer (2017-2021)
- Associate Counsel and Corporate Secretary to Board of Directors, US-based bank subsidiary of Spanish bank holding company (2010-2017)
- Associate, Coral Gables boutique firm (2008-2009)
- Real Estate Associate in top 100 law firm in the United States as ranked by the National Law Journal (2005-2008)
- Associate General Counsel, large Florida-based community bank (2001-2005)
- Associate, Miami boutique firm (1999-2001)
Representative Matters
- Represented community bank in originating approximately 500 commercial real estate mortgage loans totaling approximately $1 billion, including SBA-backed 504 transactions, participations, and acquisition and construction loans.
- Represented various banks in restructuring and modifications of mortgage loans primarily secured by single-family and condominium residential projects in various stages of completion.
- Represented owner in acquisition, disposition, and re-financing of retail and multi-family properties in Florida, Kansas, Texas, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico in transactions ranging from $3 million to $10 million each.
- Represented seller in segregation and sale of two adjoining properties within larger subdivision that was formerly a mid-size mall to national storage facility developer, which also entailed the drafting and negotiation of a reciprocal easement agreement.
- Represented developer or investor-partners in several acquisition, capitalization and finance transactions and co-development joint ventures for the development and construction of luxury multifamily projects with funding from traditional institutional loans, private equity, Fannie Mae construction loans, leveraged financing, and senior mortgage financing from investment firms.
- Represented partners in structure of luxury single family projects for demolition, reconstruction, and resale in acquisition and construction financing transactions.
- Represented developer in $73.5 million construction mortgage loan from public institutional fund for mixed-use high-rise project in Chicago’s Downtown Loop District that was converted from a historic office building.
- Represented developer in $48.8 million sale of stabilized 324-unit residential community in Texas.
- Represented developer in various capital restructuring and loan modification transactions secured by unfinished mid-rise and garden-style multi-family projects with banks, private equity partners, and private structured finance firms.
- Represented builders, developer, and investors in acquisitions of apartment complexes for redevelopment and conversion to condominium projects.
- Represented Puerto Rico bank in sale and assignment of $14.9 million construction loan to local community bank.
- Represented Italian bank in loans to Italian borrower for acquisition of boutique hotels in South Miami Beach, Florida.
- Represented bank in $55 million loan to developer for development and construction of branded hotel and in related participation transaction.
- Represented bank in subparticipation transaction with participant in syndicated $350 million revolving credit facility.
- Represented various private investors in purchases of debt and/or distressed assets from banks and distressed projects from developers.
- Represented sellers and buyers in sales of luxury single family or condominium unit residences, including buyer’s purchase of penthouse unit in coveted South Beach high-rise from original developer, which was later sold at a record price.
- Represented community bank in acquisition and disposition of Other Real Estate Owned distressed properties.
- Represented bank in purchase of portfolio of loans from FDIC receiver.
- Represented sponsor in connection with $13 million preferred equity investment from private investor.
- Represented principal of developer in restructure of $7 million debt secured by unsold condominium units.
- Represented builder and developer in acquisition of 152-acre golf course site for development of 58-acre residential community of approximately 1,200 dwelling units amidst active challenge by neighboring homeowners and related loan facility.
- Represented builder and developer in acquisition of 86 acres for development as a 532-unit single family and townhome community.
Languages
- Spanish
Education
-
University of Miami School of Law,
JD
(1998)
- Dean's Honor Scholarship
- University of Miami, BBA, Political Science (1995)
Admissions
- Florida
Practice Areas
- Real Estate
- Construction and Construction Transactions
- Corporate & Securities
- Private Equity
- Corporate Leveraged Finance
Industries
- Member, Business Law Section, Florida Bar
- Member, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section, Florida Bar
- Member, Cuban American Bar Association
- Member, Association of Corporate Counsel
- Member, University of Miami Alumni Association
- Volunteer, Church of the Little Flower
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