New York – April 3, 2025 – Cassin & Cassin LLP, a law firm specializing in real estate, real estate finance and private client matters, today announced that Partner Evan E. Blau has been elected to the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), Class of 2025. Mr. Blau is one of only eight New York-based attorneys to receive this prestigious recognition.
A member of the Firm’s Executive Committee and Chair of its Agency Lending and Affordable Housing practices, Mr. Blau focuses on representing lenders in the financing of multifamily properties through the Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS) program and the Freddie Mac SellerServicer program. His practice emphasizes affordable housing, credit-enhanced tax-exempt bond structures, green financing, moderate rehabilitation, student housing, manufactured housing, and conventional loan programs.
Mr. Blau is highly experienced in properties financed under the Freddie Mac Targeted Affordable Housing (TAH) and Fannie Mae Multifamily Affordable Housing (MAH) guidelines and is well-versed in the intricacies of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Tax-Exempt Bonds, Section 8 and Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts, as well as a wide range of federal and state affordable housing and community development programs. He also represents public housing authorities, governmental entities, and both for-profit and non-profit borrowers and developers in commercial real estate transactions.
Recognized by GlobeSt. as a 2023 Influencer in Multifamily Real Estate, Mr. Blau is an active member of the Freddie Mac Multifamily Legal Advisory Council, the CRE Finance Council and its Editorial Board, the Mortgage Bankers Association of New York, and the New York State Association for Affordable Housing.
He also served on the Fannie Mae DUS Legal Advisory Council in 2023 and 2024.
About the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) Founded in 1978, ACREL is the premier national association of distinguished commercial real estate lawyers with more than 1,000 members. Membership is by invitation only, following a rigorous selection process, and is extended to attorneys who have demonstrated excellence in real estate law and who have contributed meaningfully through speaking, writing, teaching, or serving on relevant boards and commissions. They are committed to upholding the highest standards of skill, experience, and ethical conduct in the practice of real estate law. The College promotes professionalism, collegiality, and friendship among its Fellows.
ACREL’s primary objectives include: • Promoting high standards of professional and ethical responsibility in the practice of real estate law • Improving the quality of real estate law and practice • Providing the bar and the public with authoritative educational resources in real estate law • Keeping members informed of the latest developments in the field • Addressing critical issues in real estate law and participating in law reform where appropriate • Collaborating with bar organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders involved in real estate law and practice