Kirsten Nelsen

Kiry focuses largely on affordable housing development and financing. She works closely with clients to understand their goals, address challenges, and develop tailored solutions.  

Kiry utilizes her understanding of low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs), tax-exempt bonds, and public funding to structure and facilitate the financing of affordable housing projects. She advises on eligibility requirements, coordinates with state housing agencies and other government funders, and structures transactions. Kiry works with clients to negotiate partnership agreements with equity investors as part of the LIHTC structure.   

In addition, Kiry assists clients with utilizing tax-exempt bonds to finance affordable housing. She advises on bond issuance, collaborates with bond counsel and underwriters, and helps manage the regulatory landscape governing tax-exempt financing. Her role includes drafting and negotiating the necessary financing documents and coordinating the closing of complex, multilayered financing transactions.  

Kiry represents landlords in leasing matters and advises on commercial leasing transactions. She represents a range of property owners, from institutional investors to public entities, guiding them through the leasing process. Kiry assists clients with drafting, negotiating, and reviewing lease agreements for various property types, including office buildings, retail centers, industrial facilities, and mixed-use developments.  

Kiry regularly counsels clients on the structuring of complex real estate transactions, offering strategic and practical advice to address challenging legal and business issues. She manages all phases of the transaction process, including due diligence, deal structuring, and closings. Kiry’s experience extends to drafting and negotiating a range of transaction documents, including ground leases, easements, options to purchase and lease, multiparty covenants, conditions, and restrictions.  

Kiry is committed to pro bono legal service, assisting nonprofit developers of affordable housing with land acquisitions and project finance and preparing lease agreements for nonprofit organizations. She has also been a board member of the Thurston Housing Land Trust since 2024.