Attorneys

Member

David E. Saffer

Louisville, KY
502-681-0547

Mr. Saffer is a transactional lawyer focusing on real estate and lending law, with an emphasis in commercial lending. He regularly represents institutional lenders in making all types of commercial loans. He also represents public and private borrowers in all types of secured and unsecured syndicated loan transactions. He also has represented clients in numerous asset acquisitions and dispositions, including those involving a number of coal companies.

Capabilities

Practice Areas

Bank Operations

Loan Servicing (Master & Primary)

Loan Servicing (Special)

Public Private Partnerships (P3)

Real Estate

Real Estate General Practice

Telecommunications, Technology & Internet Law

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Meet the Real Estate Rockstars: Kentucky's Legal Titans Revolutionizing the Industry

by staff writer, Business Today News, May 31, 2023

with Lawrence C. Droege and T. Gregory Ehrhard

6th and 8th Biennial Real Estate Law and Practice Institutes

co-presented

Real Estate issues

numerous presentations to Louisville Bar Association's Real Estate "Brown Bag" series

Mortgages

co-authored chapter, Kentucky Real Estate Law and Practice, University of Kentucky

Kentucky Forms and Transaction series

Authored several chapters, published by Banks Baldwin

Recent Assignments

Led team that closed numerous structured finance transactions for JP Morgan and other national conduit lenders.

Regularly represents institutional lenders in making all types of commercial loans.

Regularly represents public and private borrowers in all types of secured and unsecured loan transactions and capital and financial leasers for equipment and machinery including an $850 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility, a $250 million revolving credit facility and a $175 million unsecured term and revolving credit facility.

Has assisted in the documentation and closing of numerous asset and securities purchase and sale transactions and joint venture and venture capital transactions.

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

Firm Leadership

Management Committee (2011-15) (2022-present)

Opinions Committee, Member

Louisville Office Executive Member (2016-2020)

Memberships

American Bar Association

American College of Mortgage Attorneys

Kentucky Bar Association

,

Past Chairman of Convention Committee, 2003

Louisville Bar Association

,

Past Chairman of Real Estate Section

Education

J.D.,

1995

cum laude

University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

Org / Honor

Journal of Family Law, Editor-in-Chief, 1994-95

Phi Kappa Phi

Brandeis Society Member, 1994-95

Samuel L. Greenebaum Public Service Program Award

Chief Justice John S. Palmore Award

American Jurisprudence Award for Professional Responsibility and Bankruptcy

B.L.S.,

1992

summa cum laude

University of Evansville

Org / Honor

Listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities

Before Stites & Harbison

Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Saffer spent 10 years as a community banker in western Kentucky. He served as Senior Vice President in charge of all aspects of the bank’s lending functions.

More Than Stites & Harbison

Mr. Saffer is a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA) and the state chair in Kentucky for ACMA. He is also the chairman of the 9th Biennial Real Estate Law and Practice Institute. Mr. Saffer is past chairman of the Louisville Bar Association’s Real Estate section. He was chairman of the Kentucky Bar Association’s Convention Committee in 2003, and is a past board member of the Louisville Central Area. He is also past director of Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana, Inc.

Mr. Saffer is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys golfing and gardening.

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America®, Banking & Finance Law and Real Estate Law (2007-25)

Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law (2015, 2022, 2024)

Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year for Banking & Finance Law (2017)

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2007-19, 2023-25)

Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Lawyers in the state (2009-14)

Chambers USA, “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business,” Real Estate (2013-25)

Louisville Magazine, Top Lawyers, Banking Law (2016)

Testimonials

David Saffer is well regarded . . . in real estate transactional matters. He represents clients in acquisitions and dispositions as well as handling commercial lending issues.

Chambers Commentary (USA)

David Saffer ‘can see both sides of the deal nicely’ and ‘has great contact with the banks,’ interviewees report . . . maintains a fine track record for his commercial lending work . . . frequently acts for borrowers in secured and unsecured syndicated loan transactions.

Chambers Commentary (USA)

Outstanding – he’s hard to beat for loan work.

Chambers USA

Real estate wizard.

Chambers USA

Contact Resources

David E. Saffer's PDF David E. Saffer's Contact VCF

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Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023

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