Jena Watson is joining the firm’s real estate and municipal bond practices, bringing nearly three decades of experience managing project and municipal finance and commercial real estate transactions.
She arrives from HomeStreet Bank, where she was senior vice president, associate general counsel and associate corporate secretary, advising the leadership on a range of regulatory strategy, legal compliance, and operational issues.
She has previously worked as associate general counsel of the multifamily division at Fannie Mae, and prior to that has worked in private practice at a number of large international law firms.
Watson’s practice will focus on serving as counsel in municipal finance transactions; assisting clients in financing, real estate, and other aspects of infrastructure deals; and advising on P3 projects.
“Her in-house leadership experience and success managing municipal finance, project finance, and other financing transactions in private practice will bring significant value to our clients,” said David L. Dubrow, partner and municipal bond recovery team leader at ArentFox Schiff.