Ariana C. Cernius

Ariana Cernius represents government agencies, developers, investors and lenders in infrastructure, real estate and energy transactions. Her experience includes preparing public financing applications, purchase and sale and lease agreements, tax credit agreements, loan agreements and their ancillary documents and other key documents involved in project financing and development for new construction and acquisition and rehabilitation assets across the procurement, closing and construction project phases. Additionally, Ariana also enjoys working on mixed-use and joint venture projects and has assisted on joint development agreements, entity formation documents and funding agreements for commercial and transit-oriented developments.

Experience

Project managed two 100+ unit Bay Area new construction housing deals utilizing diverse public and private funding sources: 4% tax credit and private activity bond construction and permanent financing, Department of Housing and Community Development Transit-Oriented Development loan, Section 811 vouchers and conventional loans.

Represented a Chicago developer in acquiring a syndicator-held General Partnership interest in a new construction 75-unit affordable property serving families.

Represented a nonprofit developer-borrower during closing on a new construction deal to develop a $35 Million, 55-unit, senior affordable housing community in Baldwin Park, CA.

Represented developer-borrower Limited Partnership during closing of a $41 Million, 48-unit project in Beaumont, CA.

Represented a Regional Transportation District in the development, drafting and execution of key documents related to a transit-oriented development incorporating housing, commercial space and a sporting events center.

Represented a local transportation agency in the development, drafting and execution of key documents related to a freeway expansion project in California.

Designed and implemented a community development fellowship project focused on improving the economic security and mobility of low-income disabled adults through representative action in case appeals before the Social Security Administration’s Administrative Law Judges in Los Angeles.

Compiled and submitted applications for 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and bonds for 5 prospective multifamily acquisitions in Texas, including securing project approval from the local communities and the government.

Initiated review of 16 Texas and California-based rehabilitated affordable properties to ensure compliance with contractual Land Use Restrictive Agreement terms; collaborated with property managers to secure new service provision contracts with local nonprofits.

Reviewed, summarized and ensured compliance with affordable housing related COVID-19 legislation, including the CARES Act.

Community & Professional

Forté Foundation LA Alumni Member, 2021–Present

Southwestern Law School Associate Professor of Bar Exam Preparation, 2022-2024

Honors & Recognitions

John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowship, 2020

Levine Affordable Housing Distinguished Fellowship, 2020

Eric Mokover Fellowship, 2019

Forte Foundation Fellowship, 2019

Skadden Fellowship, 2017–2019

Justice John Paul Stevens Fellowship, 2016

Carl & Lily Pforzheimer Fellowship, 2013–2014

Arthur Liman Summer Fellowship, 2012