Sonia Nayak is the managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. Her practice centers on real estate development, including tax credit finance, affordable housing, and commercial lending.
Much of my work involves bringing private capital to community and affordable housing development projects in California and nationwide. For example, I help investors (large financial institutions, regional banks, and funds) leverage unique financing structures to fund development projects with the capital needed to bring critical services to underserved neighborhoods and communities. These developments use financing programs such as the federal low-income housing tax credit and new markets tax credit, and include affordable multifamily housing complexes, healthcare facilities, charter schools, cultural and community centers, and research and technology incubator facilities.
I also work with developers, particularly in and around Southern California, helping them to acquire, finance, develop, and manage their real estate assets. These assets include office buildings, industrial/manufacturing sites, and other commercial real estate properties, as well as multifamily housing developments.
My practice covers a comprehensive area of real estate, including finance, corporate, tax, acquisitions, dispositions, and workouts. With well over fifteen years of experience, my clients view me as a trusted member of their team. At times, I am called upon to act as outside general counsel for my clients, providing objective and pragmatic advice and access to a deep bench of legal advisors at Nixon Peabody LLP to help them navigate their expanded business needs.
Much of my work involves bringing capital—in the form of new markets tax credit financing—to new businesses looking to operate in low-income neighborhoods throughout the country. My representation includes investors, lenders, community development entities, and qualified borrowers.
I also work with investors, financial institutions, and developers on low-income housing tax credit transactions, the proceeds of which help finance affordable housing developments. Having formerly worked at AIG SunAmerica, I understand investors’ goals and the legal intricacies necessary to achieve those goals.
Every day I see how tax credit financed developments positively impact communities. As we continue to invent new ways to address the shortage of affordable and transitional housing, and work to infuse our communities with the capital needed to create jobs and spur economic growth, we will need to expand the intersection of public and private collaboration to effectively address these issues.
HITS Daily Double | April 01, 2022
This article covers Los Angeles Corporate partner Carron Mitchell’s return to NP as a member of the Entertainment team, detailing her practice and community involvement. The article includes quotes from Los Angeles Office Managing Partner Sonia Nayak and Entertainment team leader Ellie Heisler on the unique background that Carron brings to the firm.
The Recorder | February 15, 2022
This article on the recent appointments of Community Development Finance partner Sonia Nayak to Los Angeles office managing partner and Complex Disputes partner Robert Weikert to San Francisco office managing partner focuses on their new roles and goals for their respective offices, and how the California team is continuing to build on momentum to increase NP’s presence on the West Coast.
Bisnow | February 07, 2022
This roundup of notable industry news features Los Angeles Community Development Finance partner Sonia Nayak for her appointment to Los Angeles office managing partner.
Bloomberg Law | February 03, 2022
This roundup of notable legal moves features Los Angeles Community Development Finance partner Sonia Nayak for her appointment to Los Angeles office managing partner.
Affordable Housing Finance | February 10, 2020
This roundup of personnel moves in the affordable housing space highlights the promotions of Los Angeles Community Development partner Sonia Nayak, Washington, DC, Affordable Housing and Real Estate partner Dara Newman Histed, and New York City Affordable Housing and Real Estate partner Dana Roper, all of whom officially joined the NP partnership this month.
Law.com – The Recorder | February 07, 2020
This round-up of personnel moves in the legal industry mentions Los Angeles Community Development Finance partner Sonia Nayak, who officially joined the NP partnership as of Feb. 1.
Bisnow | February 04, 2020
This round-up of executive and transactional news in Southern California notes the promotion of Los Angeles Community Development Finance attorney Sonia Nayak to partner.
The Deal | February 04, 2020
This column of notable executive moves in the legal industry included a write-up on the promotion of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper, and Peter Trimarchi.
Reuters Legal | February 03, 2020
This roundup of personnel moves in the legal industry highlights the 13 members of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper and Peter Trimarchi.
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
University of California, Irvine, B.A., Political Science
California
Sonia is a member of the California State Bar and a member of the Los Angeles and San Francisco County Bar Associations