David E. Saffer
Mr. Saffer is a transactional lawyer focusing on real estate and lending law, with an emphasis in commercial lending. He regularly represents institutional lenders in making all types of commercial loans. He also represents public and private borrowers in all types of secured and unsecured syndicated loan transactions. He also has represented clients in numerous asset acquisitions and dispositions, including those involving a number of coal companies.
Meet the Real Estate Rockstars: Kentucky's Legal Titans Revolutionizing the Industry
by staff writer, Business Today News, May 31, 2023
6th and 8th Biennial Real Estate Law and Practice Institutes
Real Estate issues
Mortgages
Kentucky Forms and Transaction series
Led team that closed numerous structured finance transactions for JP Morgan and other national conduit lenders.
Regularly represents institutional lenders in making all types of commercial loans.
Regularly represents public and private borrowers in all types of secured and unsecured loan transactions and capital and financial leasers for equipment and machinery including an $850 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility, a $250 million revolving credit facility and a $175 million unsecured term and revolving credit facility.
Has assisted in the documentation and closing of numerous asset and securities purchase and sale transactions and joint venture and venture capital transactions.
Management Committee (2011-15) (2022-present)
Opinions Committee, Member
Louisville Office Executive Member (2016-2020)
cum laude
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
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Journal of Family Law, Editor-in-Chief, 1994-95
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Phi Kappa Phi
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Brandeis Society Member, 1994-95
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Samuel L. Greenebaum Public Service Program Award
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Chief Justice John S. Palmore Award
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American Jurisprudence Award for Professional Responsibility and Bankruptcy
summa cum laude
University of Evansville
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Listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities
Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Saffer spent 10 years as a community banker in western Kentucky. He served as Senior Vice President in charge of all aspects of the bank's lending functions.
Mr. Saffer is a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA) and the state chair in Kentucky for ACMA. He is also the chairman of the 9th Biennial Real Estate Law and Practice Institute. Mr. Saffer is past chairman of the Louisville Bar Association's Real Estate section. He was chairman of the Kentucky Bar Association's Convention Committee in 2003, and is a past board member of the Louisville Central Area. He is also past director of Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana, Inc.
Mr. Saffer is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys golfing and gardening.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
Best Lawyers in America®, Banking & Finance Law and Real Estate Law (2007-25)
Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law (2015, 2022, 2024)
Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year for Banking & Finance Law (2017)
Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2007-19, 2023-24)
Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Lawyers in the state (2009-14)
Chambers USA, "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," Real Estate (2013-23)
Louisville Magazine, Top Lawyers, Banking Law (2016)
David Saffer is well regarded . . . in real estate transactional matters. He represents clients in acquisitions and dispositions as well as handling commercial lending issues.
David Saffer 'can see both sides of the deal nicely' and 'has great contact with the banks,' interviewees report . . . maintains a fine track record for his commercial lending work . . . frequently acts for borrowers in secured and unsecured syndicated loan transactions.
Outstanding - he's hard to beat for loan work.
Real estate wizard.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® Publications
Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 97 of its lawyers are included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence according to the publication. Additionally, 12 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 30 attorneys are recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Chambers USA Honors 25 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 25 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2024 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States.
Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers® recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 35 attorneys to the Super Lawyers® list and 14 attorneys to the Rising Stars® list.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Chambers USA Honors 25 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 25 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2023 guide.
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 37 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 12 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Additionally, 11 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 19 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Chambers USA Honors 23 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2022
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 23 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2022 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States.