Matt B. Hanna

Washington

Cairncross & Hempelmann, P.S.
524 Second Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98104-2323
United States

Tel: 206.254.4452

Email: mhanna@cairncross.com
Web: www.cairncross.com

In his real estate practice, Matt represents local and national developers, builders and lenders in all aspects of acquisition, development, financing, construction, leasing, and disposition for single and multi-family residential, mixed-use, office, and retail projects—with a focus on creative, cost-efficient results. He creates private equity and debt funds for private regional lenders and other real estate-related companies, and assists them on completing a range of financing transactions.

Matt’s work often involves large, complex projects such as assisting Chris Hansen and his affiliates in the assessment, procurement and financing of a property portfolio for development and construction of a new multi-modal use sports arena complex in the SODO district of Seattle, and representing King County in its coordinated sale and ongoing operation of real estate for the expansion of the Washington State Convention Center.

As CH&’s Managing Partner, Matt leads the firm’s business success, and has successfully developed and implemented the firm’s strategic plan.  He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm, including supervision and oversight of the firm’s administrative, financial, technological, and business development functions.

Matt cares deeply about Seattle and the Puget Sound region.  As part of his commitment to the community, he is a member and the former Chair of the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority Council, a public corporation chartered by the City of Seattle in 1973 which owns, operates, and manages the properties in the nine-acre Pike Place Market Historic District.

Education
  • Seattle University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1994)
  • Universite de Paris IV – The Sorbonne, Paris, France (Master of Arts, Highest Honors, 1996)
  • University of Cincinnati (Master of Arts, 1997)
  • Boston University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2002)
  • Ranked in Washington State by Chambers USA in the area of Real Estate since 2015
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in Real Estate Law since 2019
  • 40 Under 40 Honoree, Puget Sound Business Journal (2011)
  • Named on the Washington Super Lawyers list by Super Lawyers® Magazine since 2017
  • Named on the Washington Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers® Magazine (2007-2012)
  • Seattle Center Foundation, Board of Directors
  • Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA) Council, Member and Past Chair
    (The PDA is the owner and operator of Seattle’s Pike Place Market)
  • Mackrell International
  • King County Bar Association
  • Urban Land Institute
  • Downtown Seattle Association
  • NW Next

The Real Estate team at Cairncross & Hempelmann brings a wealth of experience and deep industry knowledge to every transaction, and clients benefit from our collaborative team approach. Clients seek our expertise related to real estate acquisition and disposition, debt and equity finance, leasing, land development, opportunity zones, and real estate litigation.

Our clients include developers, lenders, borrowers, and owners at the forefront of some of the most visible, sophisticated, and complex real estate projects in the region. Our highly-integrated team has helped clients involved in iconic properties throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Our clients seek our counsel because of our robust technical skills, unparalleled local knowledge, longevity and connections in the industry, and most importantly, our consistent ability to achieve great results. We are uniquely positioned and adept in helping our clients realize creative, successful, and lasting solutions for a wide range of real estate projects.

Cairncross & Hempelmann (“CH&”) is a full-service law firm in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1987, CH& advises companies and individuals in all aspects of real estate development, land use and zoning, business transactions, litigation, and bankruptcy and creditors’ rights. The attorneys and staff at CH& are dedicated to providing highly efficient legal counsel and superior service to our clients.

The Firm is a member of Mackrell International, a global network of member firms in 60 countries, providing clients access to 4,500 lawyers worldwide and seamless legal service wherever the client needs it, and it is regularly recognized as a “Best Workplace” by local publications (Washington CEO, Seattle Business Monthly and the Puget Sound Business Journal) as well as various industry groups.