Introduction
Julia Casteleiro represents private, public, and nonprofit owners and developers of affordable housing around the country. Julia advises clients on their multifamily and mixed-use real estate transactions from pre-development and acquisition through construction and dispositions.
My focus
Real Estate
I work with clients to navigate through all aspects of acquiring, financing, and developing mixed-use multifamily housing, from negotiating term sheets, purchase and sale agreements (including those involving ground lease structures and membership acquisitions), structuring complexities, commercial leases, and loan documents to post-closing asset management, I enjoy working with clients to not only protect their interests but also problem solve along the way. I love helping my clients’ visions come to life, whether through the preservation and rehabilitation of existing housing, the adaptive reuse of sites that original developers never intended as housing, or the construction of a fully affordable new construction project.
Financing
Every affordable housing deal, no matter how simple, is complex, with costs increasing and gaps growing. I work with clients financing with low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, state credits, bridge structuring, traditional and GSE financing structures, conduit and tax-exempt bonds, and federal, state, and local government subsidies.
Joint Ventures
Most of my clients’ transactions involve one or more partners, and I help them navigate these partnerships, starting with the premise that this is a long-term relationship that benefits all parties and should not be adversarial, acknowledging that this frequently starts with how their attorney shows up.
Community Impact
While some time ago, I worked on the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, which reinforced the importance and value of community and the direct and positive impact community organizing can have. This is inherently true in affordable housing, where clients engage with community members to provide not only the housing they need but also the housing they want. In addition to working within the community at large, I also enjoy contributing to the NP community. I am proud to be the co-chair of the NP’s Mental Health and Well-Being Committee, which seeks to raise awareness and support mental health initiatives in the legal community, and our LGBTQ+ Networking Group.
Representative experience
Julia has a nationwide practice with a focus on New York and New Jersey transactions, but in addition, has closed and advised on transactions in California, Delaware, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, developing a network of trusted local counsels and agency contacts across the country.
Julia is admitted to both the New York and New Jersey bars.
Looking ahead
One constant that seems to remain true year after year is the existing, ever-growing need for safe, affordable housing nationwide, and for municipalities, cities, and states to prioritize this need. Housing will remain a priority throughout the country, and I look forward to working with clients to navigate the ever-changing nature of this business and the complexities of these transactions.
/Insights
- “Opportunity Across the River: Doing Deals in New Jersey–How Do Things Work Differently?,” The Annual New York State Affordable Housing Conference, May 14, 2025
- “Financing Projects without Federal LIHTC,” Annual Upstate New York State Affordable Housing Conference, May 15, 2024 (panelist)
- “Structuring a Deal (Affordable Housing 101),” NYSAFAH's 2022 Annual New York State Affordable Housing Conference, May 18, 2022 (panelist)
In the news
- Law360
Four firms advise $133 million loan for Newark housing project
Jan 15, 2026This article mentions NP for representing a joint venture between Berger Organization and SK Development in securing $133.4 million in financing to develop a mixed-income housing community in downtown Newark, New Jersey. The NP team was led by New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Joe Lynch and Julia Casteleiro, and associate Nataliya Arias.
- Bloomberg Law
Nixon Peabody program trains, elevates more counsel to partner
Jan 12, 2024This article spotlights NP’s counsel program and how it has become a successful pathway for attorneys aspiring to become partner. The article quotes Providence partner and Chief Talent Officer Stacie Collier on how and why our firm has evolved the program in recent years, while New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Julia Casteleiro provides firsthand commentary on her experience in the program.
- Law360
Law360 names attorneys who moved up the firm ranks in Q1
May 17, 2023This article featuring partner-level promotions in the first quarter of 2023 mentions Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance partner Julie Seymour’s appointment to NP’s Management Committee. The article also highlights members of the 2023 new partner class: Boston Intellectual Property partner Ravi Braich; Long Island Healthcare partner Jason Chimon; Washington, DC Community Development Finance partner Emily McKinney; New York City Complex Disputes partner Alper Tosun; and Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Julia Casteleiro, Ari Glatt, and Kathie Soroka of New York and Ian O’Banion from San Francisco.
- New York Law Journal
Attorneys on the move
Feb 16, 2023This article highlighting recent legal industry moves across New York State includes the promotions of New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Julia Casteleiro, Ari Glatt, and Kathie Soroka; New York City Complex Disputes partner Alper Tosun; and Long Island Healthcare partner Jason Chimon.
- Affordable Housing Finance
People on the move
Feb 14, 2023This article highlighting recent personnel moves from around the affordable housing sector includes the promotions of Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Julia Casteleiro and Kathie Soroka of New York City and Ian O’Banion of San Francisco, and Community Development Finance partner Emily McKinney of Washington, DC.
- Crain’s New York Business
People on the move
Feb 13, 2023This article highlighting New York City-area job changes and board appointments includes the recent promotions of New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Julia Casteleiro, Kathie Soroka, and Ari Glatt, New York City Complex Disputes partner Alper Tosun, and Long Island Healthcare partner Jason Chimon.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody promotes eight attorneys to partner
Feb 2, 2023This article spotlights the 2023 new partner class, which includes Long Island Healthcare partner Jason Chimon; Boston Intellectual Property partner Ravi Braich; New York City Complex Disputes partner Alper Tosun; Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Julia Casteleiro, Ari Glatt, and Kathie Soroka of New York and Ian O’Banion from San Francisco; and Washington, DC Community Development Finance partner Emily McKinney. The article also quotes CEO and Managing Partner Steve Zubiago.
- New York Law Journal
Lawyers on the Move
Long Island partner Tara Daub is included in this column of notable legal moves in New York for her appointment to Labor & Employment practice group leader. Long Island Labor & Employment counsel David Tauster; New York City counsels Julia Casteleiro and Abby Patterson, and Long Island counsel Mike Webb, all in the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group; and Buffalo Complex Commercial Disputes counsel Erik Goergen are also included for their promotions to counsel.Feb 25, 2021 - Bloomberg Law
Wake Up Call
This roundup of notable legal industry news and people moves includes Nixon Peabody’s promotion of 12 attorneys to counsel.Feb 17, 2021 - Affordable Housing Finance
Breaking Ground Begins Transformation of Former Jehovah's Witnesses Hotel
This article on the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing mentions the firm for the work of New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.Dec 2, 2020 - Multi-Housing News
Nonprofit to convert former Brooklyn hotel to apartments
The following articles highlight the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing. The firm was mentioned for the work by New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.Nov 24, 2020 - Bisnow
This week's N.Y. deal sheet
This article on the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing mentions the firm for the work of New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.Nov 24, 2020 - Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Jehovah's Witnesses' former DUMBO hotel to begin conversion to low-income housing
The following article highlights the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing. The firm was mentioned for the work by New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.Nov 23, 2020 - Real Estate Weekly
Affordable developer secures financing for Watchtower hotel conversion
The following article highlights the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing. The firm was mentioned for the work by New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.Nov 23, 2020 - Law360
NYC Real Estate Week in Review
This roundup of high-profile activity in the real estate market features partner Aaron Yowell and associate Julia Casteleiro, both of the Affordable Housing and Real Estate practice group in New York City, who provided counsel to Camber Property Group LLC in its $76.25 million purchase of a building and air rights in the Bronx.July 16, 2019
Admitted to practice
New Jersey
New York
Education
Rutgers University, School of Law, J.D.
Bucknell University, B.A.
Professional activities
- New York Women's Affordable Housing Network Board
- Free to Be Youth Project, Advisory Board
- National LGBTQ+ Bar Association
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2024 in the field of Real Estate Law in New York, NY (listed since 2022)
- Crain's New York Business “2024 Notable LGBTQIA+ Leaders”
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllAaron J. Yowell
Partner / Chief Innovation Officer- New York City
- Office:+1 212.940.3161
- ayowell@nixonpeabody.com
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