Juan D Reyes III has rejoined Seyfarth Shaw in New York as a partner in the firm’s Real Estate department and Public-Private Partnership (P3) practice.
Reyes returns to Seyfarth from government service, where he was the Acting Administrator and Chief Counsel for the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
During his tenure as Acting Administrator, Reyes oversaw the agency’s staff of 950 and its USD3 billion budget. As the principal legal advisor to the FRA on all US passenger and freight rail matters, including safety regulations, legislation, research, and development, Reyes managed a legal department of 50 attorneys and provided executive direction to its two other divisions, the general law division and the safety law division.
“We thank Juan for his guidance and efforts at FRA throughout his dedicated tenure. We wish him well as he rejoins his colleagues in private practice,” says FRA Administrator, Ronald L Batory.
Reyes was active on Capitol Hill for the FRA, where he participated in five Congressional hearings and testified before Congress’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“We are thrilled to welcome Juan back to the firm,” says Paul Mattingly, chair of Seyfarth’s Real Estate department. “While in government, Juan was one of the nation’s leading voices on high-profile P3 projects and their financing.”
“Juan is an outstanding colleague, and we’re proud that he’s returned to Seyfarth,” says Lorie Almon, co-managing partner of Seyfarth’s New York office. “Following his time at the FRA, his combined experience guiding large, critical real estate projects at the federal, state, and local levels is truly unique.”
In addition to his deep P3 expertise, Reyes has substantial experience in various real estate matters, including land use, development, and permitting, with particular emphasis in zoning, planning, landmark and building code matters, and governmental approvals. Before joining Seyfarth and the FRA, Reyes had significant executive branch experience, previously serving as general counsel to the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals, and counsel to the New York City Loft Board, Office of the Mayor.
“Juan’s leadership at the FRA and his firsthand insights into the broad scope of its operations are a perfect fit as he rejoins our nationally recognised real estate and P3 practices,” says John Napoli, co-managing partner of Seyfarth’s New York office.
