Love Funding announced that La Fonte Nesbitt will serve as the company’s first General Counsel.
Mr. Nesbitt joins Love Funding’s Washington, D.C. office as Vice President and General Counsel after serving as a real estate partner at the law firm of Holland & Knight for almost 20 years, including seven years as the local managing partner of their Washington, D.C. office. He brings almost three decades of experience related to acquisition, development and financing of housing, retail developments, office buildings and mixed-use projects. His expertise lies in HUD programs, urban and community development, affordable housing, government-related real estate projects and programs, public-private partnerships and privatization initiatives, and conventional commercial real estate finance and development.
“La Fonte is a pillar in our industry and brings a remarkable track record that greatly enhances our reputation as an industry leader in FHA finance,” said Love Funding President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Dellonte. “La Fonte has represented Love Funding in closings as outside counsel for nearly 30 years and I am very pleased to be able to welcome him to our team.”
Mr. Nesbitt’s legal counsel has been sought by lenders, real estate and financial advisory firms hired by the Department of Defense, developers, bond insurers, lenders, underwriters and other private parties. His addition will help Love Funding bring in-house various legal services once performed by outside counsel and to coordinate our continuing relationship with outside counsel.
“As General Counsel, La Fonte is going to greatly enhance our customers’ loan experience, especially on the complex deals with affordability components we see more of today. It will help all involved to have La Fonte involved in the structuring of those transactions in the early stages,” said Love Funding Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Karen Ford.
Mr. Nesbitt earned a Bachelors of Science from James Madison University and received a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia Law School. He has spoken and written widely on affordable housing, HUD programs and other real estate matters and has received various awards and honors including being recognized in the 2012 edition of The Legal 500 USA, Real Estate & Construction: Real Estate and being named a Washington D.C. Super Lawyer numerous times. The Mayor of Washington, D.C. appointed Mr. Nesbitt to the Government of the District of Columbia’s 2012 Comprehensive Housing Strategy Task Force.
About Love Funding
Love Funding is an experienced FHA lender serving clients across the country from its headquarters in Washington D.C. and offices in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Knoxville, Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk, Palm Beach, St. Louis and Tampa. The company offers refinance, acquisition, construction and substantial rehabilitation financing programs for market-rate, affordable and senior housing; healthcare facilities and hospitals. Love Funding is a subsidiary of Midland States Bank, a locally owned and operated community bank headquartered in Effingham, Illinois. To learn more please visit our website and join us on Facebook and Twitter.
