David C. Wilkes is a property tax and valuation strategy partner in the firm's corporate department. He is an internationally recognized authority in complex commercial property taxation disputes, valuation law, and related litigation. David adeptly guides clients through crucial decisions in real estate investment and management, placing a specific focus on understanding the local tax implications of transactions and construction, and negotiating with local government to achieve his clients’ objectives. With a global perspective, he has extensive experience representing major owners, developers, and tenants in the retail, hospitality, office, and industrial sectors worldwide.
In his role as Senior Legal Advisor to governments in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, along with advisory work in West Africa, David designed a variety of initiatives aimed at reforming property rights, taxation and mortgage finance structures, decentralizing governments, and fostering economic stimulus within the real estate sector.
David has also dedicated himself to the furtherance of education and standards that uphold the public trust in the fields of valuation and tax, having served as Chairman of The Appraisal Foundation, which is the Congressionally-appointed authority on appraisal and appraiser standards in the U.S., and as a co-founder and President of the National Association of Property Tax Attorneys. David has held crucial editorial roles, serving as Editor-in-Chief, Senior Editor, and Contributing Editor for reputable publications like Real Estate Review (NYU), the New York State Bar Association Journal, the American Alpine Club Journal, and Litigation News (ABA).
Areas of Concentration:
- Hospitality and Resorts
- Net Asset Valuation of Real Estate Investment Trusts
- Major Office Portfolios
- Regional Shopping Centers and Retail Anchors
- Segregation of Intangible/Business Value from Real Property