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    1. Home
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    3. Jeffrey S. Lesk

      People
    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Jeffrey S. Lesk

      People

    Jeffrey S. Lesk

    Senior Counsel, LEED® AP


    • Washington, DC
    • Office+1 202.585.8707
    • jlesk@nixonpeabody.com

    I'm a 2024 Nixon Peabody Pro Bono Champion.Read more about our Pro Bono program

    • Download vCard
    • LinkedIn Profile

    Introduction

    Jeff Lesk is a nationally recognized finance attorney who works with investors, lenders, sponsors, developers and other private and public industry stakeholders to finance high-impact, socially oriented community developments.

    Practice Areas

    Community Development FinanceReal EstateEnergy Project FinanceSustainable Development

    Industries

    Climate ChangeReal EstateRenewable Energy

    /My focus

    Affordable Housing and Community Development

    I’ve spent most of my career creating and implementing large-scale investment programs, primarily public-private partnerships. I advise financial institutions and other corporate investors in transactions that bring much-needed capital to privately developed affordable housing and other community developments—under the framework and support of publicly sponsored programs. I love the challenge of bridging seemingly impossible gaps between these worlds, working with and developing new financing tools and programs that meet the goals of sophisticated investors.

    Sustainability/Renewable Energy

    I’m proud to be a founder and leader of NP’s Legally Green® initiative. It’s been rewarding to integrate my long-standing personal pledge to the environment into my substantive legal practice. As a LEED AP, my participation on local and national advisory boards such as Conservation International has helped further the firm’s commitment to sustainability. Through my role on the board of the firm’s conference company IPED, Inc., I also have served as a co-chair of the Affordable Housing Summit at USGBC’s Greenbuild®, the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building.

    Teaching and Speaking

    I frequently lecture at local universities and law schools on community development and green building, and I’m on the national speaking circuit for trade association meetings, industry events and seminars. While sharing my technical knowledge, experience and perspective, I stay current and learn from others, especially students who ask tough questions and spark discussions well beyond the legal field.

    /Looking ahead

    The current political and economic environment is creating even bigger challenges for investors and developers of affordable housing and community development. I see big changes in the number and mechanisms for public financial support of community development. We have an opportunity to help shape the future by leveraging existing programs and financial resources to do more with less.

    /In the news

    • The Deal

      Deal diary-Blackstone and KKR chalk up more insurance investments

      In two separate articles, the publication highlighted the firm for advising American International Group, Inc. in the pending sale of a $5.1 billion affordable housing portfolio to Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust. Washington, DC Community Development Finance partner Liz Young is noted in one of the stories for leading the NP deal team.

      In addition to Liz, the NP team includes Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Dara Histed, Project Finance & Public Finance partner Carla Young, Community Development Finance senior counsel Jeff Lesk, and Corporate partner John Partigan, all of Washington, DC; Global Finance partner Amanda Darwin, Affordable Housing & Real Estate associates Julie Stande and Ali Walendziak, and Community Development Finance associate Nury Aguasvivas, all of Boston; Affordable Housing & Real Estate associate Emily Schwebke and Project Finance & Public Finance resident attorney Jacalyn Smith, both of Chicago; Manchester Affordable Housing & Real Estate associate Talia Burghard; Long Island Affordable Housing & Real Estate paralegal Lori Esposito; and Los Angeles Corporate paralegal Mina Gonzaque-Taylor.

      July 15, 2021
    • Washington Business Journal

      There's a segment of the local tech industry ‘primed to grow rapidly.’ But we're leaving money on the table.

      This article on clean technology in the Washington, DC region details New Partners Community Solar’s roots within our firm, as well as the organization’s mission, and quotes New Partners CEO Herb Stevens and President Jeff Lesk, both senior counsel with the Community Development Finance group in DC.
      April 15, 2021
    • Washington Lawyer

      Solar Power Access: A Matter of Justice

      This in-depth profile of New Partners Community Solar features Nixon Peabody’s role in the project and quotes Washington, DC, Community Development Finance senior counsel Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens.
      March 1, 2020
    • Washington City Paper

      Can DC meet its ambitious solar energy goals?

      This article quotes Washington, DC, Community Development Finance partner Jeff Lesk discussing the social impact of NP Community Solar, which was the first project to join Washington’s community solar program and has expanded to several commercial rooftops throughout the district.
      Feb 24, 2020
    • National Housing and Rehabilitation Association

      Introducing the resiliency center

      This story mentions New Partners Community Solar, the nonprofit founded in 2017 by senior counsel Herb Stevens and Community Development Finance partner Jeff Lesk, both of Washington, DC. New Partners played a crucial role in the development of the city’s first affordable housing resiliency center—a suite of rooms available to all residents that provides an emergency power supply for residents to use during disasters or outages.
      July 20, 2019
    • Bisnow

      Top DC building owners install solar panels as city sets ambitious clean energy goal

      This article highlights Nixon Peabody’s nonprofit, New Partners Community Solar. The piece covers phase one of the program and its continued efforts to partner with Washington, DC, building owners to install solar panels on multiple new sites, which will produce renewable energy to benefit local low-income residents. The piece also notes that Washington, DC, Community Development Finance partner Jeff Lesk will discuss this clean energy initiative at Bisnow’s upcoming Greater DC Solar and Sustainability Summit.
      April 10, 2019
    • Bisnow

      D.C. CRE leaders on the lending environment, architecture trends, PropTech and more

      Washington DC Office Managing Partner Colette Dafoe and Community Development Finance partner Jeff Lesk are mentioned in this story about the DCSolar project, which began on Nixon Peabody’s rooftop and has expanded throughout the District.
      Oct 1, 2018
    • Solar Power World

      IREC announces 2018 3iAward recipients at Intersolar

      Washington DC partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens, both of the Community Development Finance Group, are mentioned in this story after NPSolar was named Community/Shared Renewables Project of the Year by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
      July 11, 2018
    • Washington Post

      How a DC law firm installed solar panels to help low-income people save on utilities

      Nixon Peabody’s pro bono solar panel project is featured in this article.  Washington DC tax credit finance and syndication partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens are quoted throughout this feature which highlights how this first-of-its-kind project benefits low-income residents in the DC community.
      May 11, 2018
    • ABA Journal

      Nixon Peabody seeks to benefit the poor with its solar panels

      Washington DC partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens are mentioned in this article about the NP Solar program, which uses solar panels placed atop DC-area buildings to produce electricity and cost savings for low-income residents.
      May 11, 2018
    • Energy & Environmental News

      DC law firm uses its own panels to cut others' power bills

      Nixon Peabody’s pro bono solar panel project is featured in this trade publication for energy and environment professionals. Washington, DC tax credit finance and syndication senior counsel Herb Stevens is quoted and partner Jeff Lesk is mentioned.
      May 11, 2018
    • Sol Systems

      Sol Systems monetizes SRECs for first Community solar project in DC

      This article is about a partnership between Sol Systems and New Partners Community Solar Corp., a nonprofit founded by Washington DC tax credit finance and syndication partners Jeff Lesk and Herb Stevens, to monetize solar renewable energy credits from the community solar project in DC.
      Sep 22, 2017
    • The National Law Journal

      Nixon Peabody brings back the sun in DC

      This article features the Washington, DC office’s solar program and mentions partners Jeff Lesk and Herb Stevens, who manage grants for the firm’s nonprofit New Partners Community Solar Corp.
      Aug 27, 2017
    • Bisnow

      Q&A: The future of DC affordable housing

      This Q&A with Washington DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk is about the future of affordable housing and community development amid looming tax reforms and potential cuts to federal programs. Click here to read the full article.
      April 5, 2017
    • NBC4 Washington

      DC mayor proposing green bank to fund clean energy projects

      Washington DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk and chief innovation officer Herb Stevens were interviewed in this broadcast news segment about a green bank that could be created to help finance environmentally friendly projects similar to the solar panels installed on our DC office building.
      March 15, 2017
    • Tax Credit Advisor

      Up on Nixon Peabodys roof

      Washington, DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk and chief innovation officer Herb Stevens are featured in this article about the Washington, DC office’s Community Solar project.
      March 1, 2017
    • Bisnow

      Nixon Peabody funds biggest CRE solar panel installation in DC

      Washington DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk is quoted in this feature story about DC’s first large-scale downtown commercial Community Solar project on the roof of Nixon Peabody’s Washington DC office. This article focuses on the innovation and uniqueness of the NP Solar project. 
      Dec 22, 2016
    • American Lawyer

      How to deal with pushback

      Washington DC office managing partner Jeffrey Lesk is quoted in this article discussing how new office space can be an exercise in change management for many law firms.
      Oct 31, 2016
    • Green Building & Design (gb&d)

      Testimony for Progress

      This feature article highlights the Washington, DC, office move and focuses on the sustainable aspects of the project while being smarter about the use of space. Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk is quoted.
      May 1, 2016
    • Bloomberg BNA Big Law Business

      This Group Wants Law Firms to Slash One Expense: Their Toll on the Planet

      The feature story focuses on the Law Firm Sustainability Network and their new tool for law firms to measure how well they’re managing their energy output. Nixon Peabody is noted within the story as a member of the LFSN and Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk, one of our co-sustainability leaders, is quoted.
      April 22, 2016
    • Bisnow (DC)

      Paradigm Breaking

      This feature story discusses the real estate considerations and decisions being made by associations and law firms, who account for almost half of office occupiers in Washington, DC. Commentary from Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk is included.
      March 31, 2016
    • Bisnow (DC)

      Affordable Housing Deals Are Getting More Plentiful, But More Complex

      This feature story recaps the Affordable Housing Forum which focused on creating and improving affordable housing communities. Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk, Affordable Housing partner Monica Sussman and Tax Credit Finance & Syndication partner David Schon are featured.
      March 28, 2016
    • Real Estate Bisnow

      Can Multifamily Developers Fix the Affordable Housing Crisis?

      This feature story discusses Washington, DC’s efforts to improve the state of the city’s affordable housing. The topic was the main focus at Bisnow’s Multifamily Annual Conference. Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk and Affordable Housing practice group leader Steve Wallace are featured within the story.
      Dec 4, 2015
    • CNBC Power Lunch

      Office Envy: Inside Nixon Peabody's Washington office

      Nixon Peabody is featured on CNBC-TV’s Power Lunch in the “Office Envy” segment which showcases unique and innovative office spaces.
      Nov 2, 2015
    • Bloomberg BNA

      Despite Tough Times, Expansive Lobbies Thrive

      Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk discusses our new office in this law firm real estate story. Jeff’s comments address a number of points including noting that we’re at a point where clients don’t appreciate offices that are heavy on opulence and how we aim to have our space serve multiple purposes—for clients and the community.
      Oct 27, 2015
    • Bisnow

      Nixon Peabody's Ultra-modern Office

      The firm’s new Washington, DC, office is featured in this coverage. Office managing partner Jeff Lesk is quoted and pictured throughout the piece, as is the space itself.
      Aug 21, 2015
    • The Boston Globe

      Nixon Peabody Unveils a Different Type of Law Office in DC

      CEO and managing partner Andrew Glincher and Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk are quoted throughout this feature story about the firm’s new DC office.
      July 23, 2015
    • Elevation DC

      Experts discuss how green buildings are changing DC

      This feature story discusses how Washington, DC, has become a leader in the green building movement. Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk and partner and chief innovation officer Herb Stevens are quoted and pictured in the piece.
      July 7, 2015
    • Washington Post

      End of the Corner Office:  DC law firm designs its new space for millennials

      This front-page feature article highlights our new office space in Washington, DC, and the vision behind this build-out. Several of our colleagues were quoted throughout the article. These colleagues include Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk, leader of our IP Counseling & Transactions practice Jeff Costellia, Syndication practice group leader Greg Doran, and Washington, DC, associates Cody Rogers, Paige Gentry, and Emily Feder.  This article has been picked up by a number of publications nationwide including Buffalo News, the Miami Herald and the Kansas City Tribune, just to name a few.
      June 22, 2015
    • Real Estate Bisnow (DC)

      Private Developers Must Step up to Preserve Affordable Housing

      Washington, DC, office managing partner and Tax Credit Finance & Syndication attorney Jeff Lesk moderated a panel on Washington's affordable housing program. Washington, DC, Affordable Housing partner Michael Reardon was a panelist.
      June 18, 2015
    • Examiner.com

      DC Launches New Program to Encourage Green Business Practices

      Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk is quoted in this article on the Smarter DC Challenge—an initiative seeking to facilitate private-sector development of sustainable practices by businesses and nonprofits. Nixon Peabody is noted as one of the program's participants.
      March 5, 2015
    • Elevation DC

      What Makes a Great Neighborhood?

      This article discusses how Washington, DC, has in the past and is still working to build strong communities. The content of the article comes from the “Creating Great Neighborhoods” panel discussion hosted by Elevation DC and our DC office. Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk is quoted and pictured.
      Dec 8, 2014
    • Legal Bisnow (DC)

      Managing Partner Roundtable

      Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk is featured in this discussion with local office leaders on the changing legal landscape.
      April 22, 2014
    • Washington Post

      Law Firm Nixon Peabody Seeks a New Take on an Old Brand

      In this feature article, CEO and Managing Partner Andrew Glincher discusses the firm’s new brand and how we are taking unconventional approaches to some of the challenges facing the legal industry. IPED and NP Capital Connector®, as well as our Diversity Challenge, are highlighted in the piece.
      Jan 6, 2014
    • Washington Post

      Nixon Peabody's Quest for a New Kind of Office Space

      Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk discusses the firm’s plans for office relocation in 2015. The new space is located within the heart of the economic center that neighbors areas where we have done many projects that are revitalizing and redeveloping.

      Dec 9, 2013

    /Admitted to practice

    District of Columbia

    /Education

    University of Arizona College of Law, J.D.
    Stanford University, B.A.

    /Recognition

    • Martindale Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating™

    Insights And Happenings

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    • Press Release

      Nixon Peabody receives Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Award for commitment to sustainability

      June 21, 2023
    View All

    Professionals in the Practice Area

    View All
    • Matthew W. Mullen

      Partner / Community Development Finance Practice Group Leader
      • Washington DC
      • Office:+1 202.585.8128
      • mmullen@nixonpeabody.com
      Matthew W. Mullen
    • Roger W. Holmes

      Partner
      • Boston
      • Office:+1 617.345.1227
      • rholmes@nixonpeabody.com
      Roger W. Holmes
    • Gregory N. Doran

      Partner / Chair, Project Finance, Infrastructure & Real Estate Department
      • Washington DC
      • Office:+1 202.585.8266
      • gdoran@nixonpeabody.com
      Gregory N. Doran
    • Sonia A. Nayak

      Partner / Office Managing Partner, Los Angeles
      • Los Angeles
      • Office:+1 213.629.6072
      • snayak@nixonpeabody.com
      Sonia A. Nayak
    • Nicole V. Hixon

      Counsel
      • Boston
      • Office:+1 617.345.6120
      • nhixon@nixonpeabody.com
      Nicole V. Hixon
    • Michael J. Goldman

      Partner
      • Washington DC
      • Office:+1 202.585.8289
        Mobile:+1 202.716.4798
      • mjgoldman@nixonpeabody.com
      Michael J. Goldman
    View All

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