Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen is pleased to announce the election of Debbie Kleban as managing partner.
Debbie succeeds former managing partner Ben Applegate in overseeing strategy and operations for the firm, which focuses on real estate finance and other work in the affordable housing and community development sectors. She also will continue to lead firm’s New Markets Tax Credit practice group.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for the incredible vote of confidence they’ve offered me in electing me to this position and I’m excited to embrace the challenge of leading the firm,” said Debbie. “Our clients’ work is even more important than ever and continuing to develop our practices to meet their needs is a mission we are all proud to share.”
Debbie joined the firm at its founding in 1998, the only associate to accompany its four original partners in setting up their affordable housing and community development-focused boutique. The firm now includes 42 attorneys and 16 paralegals. She was elevated to partner in January 2000 and later founded the firm’s NMTC practice group.
An active participant in the New Markets Tax Credit industry, Debbie is a frequent speaker on topics related to tax-incentivized real estate and business transactions. She is also a member of the Novogradac New Markets Tax Credit Working Group and the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition.
Debbie is also deeply committed to serving the greater Chicago community and has been involved in various roles with Deborah’s Place, a provider of housing and services for homeless women in Chicago since 1998. She is a former Board President and current member of the Board Emeritus, and is active on multiple subsidiary boards and committees.
Debbie is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.
To learn more about Debbie, click here.