Joel Rothstein

Joel H. Rothstein is an international real estate and structured finance lawyer and Chair of the Asia Real Estate Practice at the global law firm of Greenberg Traurig LLP. Based in Tokyo, he works closely with the firm’s offices across Asia, advising clients on transactions in all major investment markets and across all major asset classes. He also leads the firm’s representation of Asia-based investors in structuring and executing outbound cross-border equity and debt investments in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. 

With more than 25 years of experience in Asia, Joel has advised on landmark transactions and investment programs throughout the region. His work includes, among others, the first rating agency-rated commercial mortgage-backed securities transactions in Japan and South Korea, as well as the first international-style non-recourse real estate loans made by financial institutions in Japan and China. 

In the hospitality sector, Joel leads the firm’s Asia practice, advising on hotel and resort acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and financings, together with hotel management, licensing, franchise, branded residence, and related operational agreements. 

Joel is also an architect and urban designer, with prior experience on projects worldwide, from Cartagena, Colombia, to New York City.