Atty. Jeffrey S. Scharff

Atty. Jeffrey S. Scharff

For 35 years, Jeff Scharff has helped clients resolve their critical real estate and structured financing issues and close their deals. He handles all aspects of acquisitions, including drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, loan documents (both conventional and tax-exempt bond financing), and partnership agreements with large national equity investors.

Call (202) 625-3500 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Jeffrey S. Scharff at a glance

Jeffrey S. Scharff is a real estate attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Katten. Educated at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1993). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law (2026). Serands clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • For 35 years, Jeff Scharff has helped clients resolve their critical real estate and structured financing issues and close their deals
  • He handles all aspects of acquisitions, including drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, loan documents (both conventional and tax-exempt bond financing), and partnership agreements with large national equity investors
  • In 20 years, he has closed acquisitions totaling almost $20 billion for one of the largest national multi-family operators
  • Jeff also represents large New York City-based developers on the financing of major multi-family and mixed-use projects involving bond financing
  • Jeff also represents owners of senior living facilities on acquisition and financing matters
  • In addition to the acquisition work on multi-family and senior living facilities, Jeff also works regularly on the acquisition and sale of office buildings
  • Jeff has also handled restructuring and disposition of distressed assets (mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, asset-backed securities and other asset types), including representing the Resolution Trust Corporation, lenders, underwriters and developers over the course of his career
  • He has also represented large national banks and pension funds on construction and permanent lending as well as equity investments, as well as significant experience on commercial leasing matters representing both landlords and tenants on a wide range of leases, including headquarters leases, more traditional office leases and data center leases

Practice Areas Explained

Jeffrey S. Scharff's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jeffrey S. Scharff handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Jeffrey S. Scharff is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in District of Columbia →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in District of Columbia

Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Jeffrey S. Scharff

Where is Jeffrey S. Scharff's law office located?
Jeffrey S. Scharff's law practice is located in Washington, District of Columbia. The firm is Katten. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Jeffrey S. Scharff handle?
Jeffrey S. Scharff focuses on real estate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in District of Columbia.
Where did Jeffrey S. Scharff go to law school?
Jeffrey S. Scharff earned their education at (J.D., 1993).
How can I contact Jeffrey S. Scharff for a consultation?
You can contact Jeffrey S. Scharff directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Jeffrey S. Scharff received?
Jeffrey S. Scharff's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 1993

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law
- 2026

Reviews

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.