Overview
Bryan has more than 15 years of experience representing clients in commercial and residential real estate development and investment.
Bryan has experience representing private developers, foreign investors and businesses of varying sizes, including Fortune 20 companies, real estate investment firms and small, family-owned organizations. Bryan’s practice includes acquisitions, dispositions, debt and equity financing, business organization, joint venture partnerships and representing landlords and tenants in leasing office, technology, industrial and retail properties.
Prior to joining Foster Garvey, Bryan practiced at Pircher, Nichols and Meeks in Chicago where he represented private equity clients on large-scale portfolio transactions.
Areas of Focus
Admissions
- Washington, 2010
- Illinois, 2006
Education
- J.D., The University of Michigan Law School, 2006
- Michigan Journal of Race & Law, Contributing Editor
- Russell Lee Rua Scholarship, University of Michigan Law School
- Japanese Language Degree (Shuryo Sho Mei Sho), Keio University (Tokyo, Japan), 2002
- B.A., University of California at Los Angeles, 2000
- Duke Kahanamoku Scholarship, University of California at Los Angeles
Honors & Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law, 2024-present
- Chambers USA (Washington) Leading Individual, Real Estate, 2022-present
- Washington Super Lawyers list, 2025
- Legal 500 City Elite, Seattle – Real Estate, 2026
- Mentor of the Year, King County Bar Association, 2021
Languages
- Japanese, basic
Professional Activities
- Foster Garvey, Opportunity & Progress Council, Co-Chair, 2020-present
- Seattle University, Adjunct Professor, 2011-2012
Community Activities
- Leadership Tomorrow
- Graduate, Class of 2017
- Coach, Class of 2018
- Maple Leaf Community Council, Board of Directors, 2017-present
- Co-President, 2019
- President, 2019-present
- Secretary, 2017-2019
- MarketShare, Board of Directors, 2017-2019
- The Service Board, Board of Directors, 2011-2014
Experience
Represented clients in acquisition, financing, development and sales of properties, including:
- Represented developer in sale of commercial and office property for $251 million to California-based investment management firm
- Represented developer in acquisition, development and sale of 451-unit multifamily property for $172 million to California-based investment fund
- Represented developer in sale of office property for $106 million to publicly traded office REIT
- Represented developer in sale of bio-medical property for $89 million to publicly traded office REIT
- Represented developer in acquisition of property assemblage for $71 million in South Lake Union, Washington
- Represented retail client in opening of headquarters and leasing of new stores throughout Western Washington
- Represented international clients in acquisition, development and financing of residential, office and storage properties throughout Washington state
Represented Fortune 20 Companies in acquiring, developing and selling real estate facilities, including:
- 1.25 million square foot expansion of office headquarters
- Complex sub-ground lease transaction of 40-acre site for multi-use redevelopment with Edmonds School District
- Opening of new stores and expansion of new business facilities in West Coast markets
- Leases with industrial developers to open cutting-edge operational facilities across the country
Represented developers, joint venture partners and lenders in a variety of commercial real estate transactions, including:
- Represented private equity client with due diligence on $39 billion buyout of Equity Office Properties, the nation’s largest office landlord
- Represented publicly traded REIT in $1 billion acquisition of nationwide senior housing portfolio
- Represented borrower in $400 million revolving credit facility covering more than 25 properties
- Represented developer in acquisition, development, joint venture and sale of $130 million multifamily property
- Represented lender in restructure of $74 million mezzanine financing for hotel project in Seattle, Washington
- Represented lender in $41 million mezzanine loan financing for mixed-use project in Rockville, Maryland
- Joint venture transaction for development of a boutique hotel in South Lake Union, Washington
News & Insights
News
Foster Garvey Recognized Among Nation’s Top Firms in 2026 Chambers USA Guide: 34 Attorneys and 15 Practices Ranked
06.04.26
18 Foster Garvey Attorneys Named to 2026 Legal 500 City Elite Lists
01.21.26
71 Foster Garvey Attorneys Recognized Among the 2026 Best Lawyers in America; Paul Trinchero Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’
08.21.25
19 Foster Garvey Attorneys Named to the 2025 Washington Super Lawyers Lists; Emily Harris Gant Earns Special Recognition
08.01.25
Foster Garvey Recognized Among Nation’s Top Firms in 2025 Chambers USA Guide; 26 Attorneys and 13 Practices Ranked
06.05.25
65 Foster Garvey Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2025, Three Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’
08.15.24
Foster Garvey Recognized Among Nation’s Top Firms in 2024 Chambers USA Guide; 20 Attorneys and 10 Practices Ranked
06.06.24
Client Highlight: Seattle Indian Health Board’s Acquisition of a Crucial Rehabilitation Facility
09.06.23
57 Foster Garvey Attorneys Recognized Among the 2024 Best Lawyers in America; Two Portland Attorneys Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’
08.17.23
Foster Garvey Receives Honors in 2023 Chambers USA Guide; 21 Attorneys and 10 Practices Featured
06.01.23
Foster Garvey Recognized Among Nation’s Leading Law Firms in 2022 Chambers USA Guide; 21 Attorneys and 10 Practices Featured
06.01.22
Bryan Helfer Named 2021 Mentor of the Year by the King County Bar Association
03.31.22
Portland Business Journal Article Takes a Closer Look at Foster Garvey’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Work
06.23.21
Seattle La-Z-Boy Franchise Sold to Parent Company
09.17.20
Seattle Indian Health Board Research Helps Create Government Task Force for Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives
01.07.20
Foster Garvey Welcomes Renton High School Students for Day of Learning
10.24.19
Legal Alerts
The Corporate Transparency Act: New Reporting and Compliance Obligations for Business Clients
06.09.23
Chuck E. Cheese and Pier 1 Rulings Highlight Risks and Considerations for Commercial Property Landlords and Tenants in Bankruptcy Proceedings
01.15.21
Washington Governor Extends Eviction Moratorium to June 4th and Prohibits Rent Increases for Commercial Leases
04.23.20
Contractual and Extra-Contractual Defenses Implicated by Response to COVID-19 in Washington
03.23.20
New Tenant Laws Take Effect July 28, 2019
07.18.19
New Washington Real Estate Excise Tax Increases
05.07.19
IRS and Treasury Release New Opportunity Zone Regulations
10.22.18
Connect with Bryan