Global law firm Hogan Lovells is pleased to announce that Cristina Arumi, one of the most respected REIT Tax lawyers in the United States, is rejoining our firm. She will be head of our U.S. REIT tax practice and will work alongside David Bonser, who heads up our market-leading REIT practice. Arumi joins from Ernst & Young, where she was a leader in the REIT and pass-through group from the national tax office.

""Cristina is a superstar – she is highly regarded by clients and colleagues for her lightning-sharp tax acumen, creative solutions, and strong client relationship skills,"" said Prentiss Feagles, a Hogan Lovells partner who has led the REIT Tax practice. ""These qualities, together with her strong leadership skills, make Cristina perfect to work with David Bonser and others in building one of the strongest REIT practices in the United States.""

Before departing for Ernst & Young in 2013, Arumi spent 17 years with Hogan Lovells, focusing her practice on the tax aspects of capital markets and M&A transactions, including REITs, real estate funds and joint ventures as well as the tax aspects of foreign investment in U.S. real estate. As a principal in Ernst & Young's national tax department's pass-throughs and real estate group, Arumi led real estate transactions working extensively with REITs, including many clients of Hogan Lovells, sovereign wealth funds and other major investors in U.S. real estate.

""Hogan Lovells' REIT practice is one of the best in the country, and I am excited to rejoin the team,"" Arumi said. ""I've maintained strong relationships with many of my friends and colleagues at Hogan Lovells, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with David and the other partners to build on the continued success of the REIT practice.""

Arumi received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina, her J.D. from Duke University School of Law, and her LL.M in tax from the Georgetown University Law Center.