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    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Sonia A. NayakPeople
    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Sonia A. NayakPeople

    Sonia A. Nayak

    Partner / Office Managing Partner, Los Angeles


    • Los Angeles, San Francisco
    • Office213.629.6072
    • snayak@nixonpeabody.com
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    Introduction

    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.

    Practice Areas

    New Markets Tax CreditsDistressed Debt & Real Estate WorkoutsM&A and Corporate TransactionsReal EstateCommunity Development FinanceLow Income Housing Tax Credits

    Industries

    Real Estate

    My focus

    Real Estate Financing and Development

    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. 

    New Markets Tax Credits

    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.

    Low-Income Housing Tax Credits

    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.

    Looking ahead

    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.

    Insights

    • “Closing NMTC Transactions in Tough Economic Times,” Novogradac 23rd Annual New Markets Tax Credit Conference, San Diego, CA, January 20, 2023
    • “Creating Solutions, Taking Action,” Novogradac Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit, January 18, 2023
    • “Avoiding a Messy Unwind,” Novogradac 2022 New Markets Tax Credit Conference, January 21, 2022
    • “Investor Outlook,” Novogradac 2020 New Markets Tax Credit Fall Virtual Conference, October 29, 2020
    • “Issues for CDEs: Roundtable Discussions,” Novogradac 2020 New Markets Tax Credit Conference, San Diego, CA, January 30, 2020
    • “Wind Downs,” New Markets Tax Credit Spring Conference, Washington, DC, June 6, 2019
    • “New Strategies for Funding Capital Projects,” Government Finance Officers Association 113th Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA, May 20, 2019
    • Novogradac NMTC Conference, San Diego, January 24-25, 2019
    • “Opportunity Zones—What’s New in Community Development,” Nixon Peabody MCLE Marathon, Los Angeles, January 17, 2019
    • “Academic & Professional Skills for US Law Studies,” Guest Lecturer, USC Gould School of Law, Los Angeles, CA, October 12, 2018
    • “Leveraging Opportunity Zones to Finance Rental Housing,” 27th Annual Affordable Housing and Community Development Conference, San Diego, CA, October 4, 2018
    • “Recent tax law changes that affect investing in Qualified Opportunity Zones,” Family Office Association Conference - Los Angeles, October 2, 2018
    • “Leverage Sources,” Novogradac 2018 New Markets Tax Credit Conference, January 25, 2018
    • “44 Years Later: The 1984 and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics—A Discussion of the Developmental Landscape in Los Angeles, Then and Now,” Nixon Peabody Annual MCLE Seminar, Los Angeles, January 18, 2018
    • “New Markets Tax Credit 202 Workshop,” CohnReznick New Markets Tax Credit Conference, Pre-Conference Workshop, Miami, May 2017
    • “Community Development Finance,” UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Guest Lecture, Los Angeles, April 2017
    • “Affordable Housing: Compliance and Occupancy,” IPED, Learning the Basics: Housing Tax Credits 101, IPED, Boston, MA, March 2017
    • “Adjusting to Recent Changes from Dept of Treasury: CDFI Fund,” Novogradac New Markets Tax Credit Conference, San Diego, January 2017
    • “Hot Topics in Land Use, Affordable Housing and Tax Credit Finance,” Nixon Peabody Annual MCLE Seminar, Los Angeles, January 2017

    Admitted to practice

    California

    Education

    University of California, Irvine, B.A., Political Science
    University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D.

    Professional activities

    Sonia is a member of the California State Bar and a member of the Los Angeles and San Francisco County Bar Associations

    In the News

    • Los Angeles Times

      Staying the course: Nixon Peabody is building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace

      In this article, Los Angeles Office Managing Partner Sonia Nayak, of the Community Development Finance group, and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Rekha Chiruvolu discuss several ways that organizations can effectively create more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces, using NP LA’s office story and their DEI progress as an example.

      Dec 18, 2022
    • HITS Daily Double

      Mitchell returns to Nixon Peabody

      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.
      April 1, 2022
    • The Recorder

      Building Community: Nixon Peabody's new California leaders on growth for a younger partnership

      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.
      Feb 15, 2022
    • Bisnow

      This weeks LA deal sheet

      This roundup of notable industry news features Los Angeles Community Development Finance partner Sonia Nayak for her appointment to Los Angeles office managing partner.
      Feb 7, 2022
    • Bloomberg Law

      Wake up call

      This roundup of notable legal moves features Los Angeles Community Development Finance partner Sonia Nayak for her appointment to Los Angeles office managing partner.
      Feb 3, 2022
    • Affordable Housing Finance

      People on the Move

      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.
      Feb 10, 2020
    • Law.com – The Recorder

      On the Move: Tracking the ins and outs of California lawyers

      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.
      Feb 7, 2020
    • Bisnow

      The LA Deal Sheet

      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.
      Feb 4, 2020
    • The Deal

      Movers & Shakers

      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.
      Feb 4, 2020
    • Reuters Legal

      Career Tracker: Lawyers on the Move

      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.
      Feb 3, 2020
    • Los Angeles Business Journal

      LA’s Most Influential Women Lawyers

      Nixon Peabody Community Development Finance counsel Sonia Nayak has been recognized as one of the top women lawyers in the city on Los Angeles Business Journal’s annual list.
      April 8, 2019

    Insights And Happenings

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    • Article

      Asian and Middle Eastern American Resource Group Q+A with Sonia Nayak

      May 26, 2021
    View All

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      • Office:202.585.8266
      • gdoran@nixonpeabody.com
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      • Office:202.585.8828
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    • Michael J. Goldman

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      • Office:202.585.8289
        Mobile:202.716.4798
      • mjgoldman@nixonpeabody.com
      Michael J. Goldman
    • Justin L. Fitzgerald

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      • Boston
      • Office:617.345.1062
      • jlfitzgerald@nixonpeabody.com
      Justin L. Fitzgerald
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