NEW YORK CITY-One year after joining Holland &Knight, the firm announced on Tuesday that real estateattorney Stuart Saft has been named practiceleader for the firm's New York real estate practice and co-chair ofits global hospitality, resort and time share group. Drawing on hisdecades of experience in the industry, Saft now is tasked withexpanding Holland & Knight's presence in the city.

“Stuart Saft has represented many of the city's most importantowners and developers, helping to transform the landscape of NewYork real estate,” says Joe Guay, real estatesection leader at the firm, in the announcement. “His knowledge andexperience make him a natural to lead our NY real estate practiceand co-chair the hospitality group, where he will continue toprovide great value to all of the firm's real estate clients.”

In the past year, he's increased the firm's profile byrepresenting of a number of high-profile hotel and residentialprojects around New York City, including the first BaccaratHotel, developed by Starwood Capital andTribeca Associates, which will also feature luxurycondominium residences; the new 34-story hotel development byStarwood Capital and the Moinian Group's at 237 W54^th St.; Marriott Hotels and theRitz Carlton on a number of pending deals in NewYork and across the country; HFZ Capital in thedevelopment of the Halcyon, on 51^st Street and thefirm's newest projects, the conversion at 11 East 68^thSt. and 11 Beach St.; the representation of HarryMacklowe in his conversion of two Upper East Sideproperties, located at 737 Park Ave. and 150 E. 72^nd St;construction lenders in the development of two mixed-usecondominium towers; two developers in assemblages; and threeproperty owners in the sale of their development rights.