Overview

Chris prides himself in providing extremely responsive, high-quality and detail-oriented client service for his lending clients and their customers. He treats every project with a sense of urgency and takes a practical/reasonable approach in making sure he protects his client while also being flexible in addressing project-specific issues that arise for both clients and their customers. Furthermore, due to his representation of multiple lending clients and his high-volume lending practice, he provides real value-add market knowledge to our clients. On top of it all, he enjoys the satisfaction of working with a group of people to reach the common goal of a successful project closing that results in providing much needed affordable housing into various communities.

Chris Swank's practice includes commercial real estate finance, with an emphasis on conventional commercial real estate finance, low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) finance, historic tax credit finance for LIHTC projects and government-based subsidized finance and guaranty programs for LIHTC projects.

Chris is best known for his extensive experience representing financial institutions in LIHTC financing transactions throughout Ohio, the Midwest and the United States. He has assisted financial institutions in closing hundreds of construction and permanent loans for projects supported by a combination of LIHTC, historic tax credits, USDA Rural Development 515 financing, USDA Rural Development 538 loan guaranties, HUD based financing, Freddie TEL financing and other types of subsidized financing, including complex construction loan transactions that involve multiple layers of financing and grant sources.

Chris represents banks and financial institutions in connection with acquisition loans, construction loans, equity bridge loans, permanent loans and other commercial financing. He has significant experience in representing financial institutions in conventional commercial real estate lending transactions of all types, including real estate loan workouts and restructurings.

Education

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (J.D. with honors, 2002); Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity

Miami University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1999) – Men's Track & Field Team

Distinctions

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® – Real Estate Law (2010–2025)

Columbus Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America (Real Estate Law), 2022

Recognized, ChambersUSA, Real Estate - Band 3 ranking, 2013–2024; Band 4, 2012; Up and Coming, 2010–2011

Rising Star, Ohio Super Lawyers (Real Estate: Business; Banking), 2005–2007, 2009–2016

Professional Activities

  • Participant, Columbus Leadership Columbus (2012)
  • Member, American Bar Association (Affordable Housing and Community Development)

Experience

Insights

News

Presentations & Publications

Additional Items

  • Speaker, "Financing Tools for Affordable Housing," Bricker Graydon Lender Seminar, November 2023
  • Moderator, "Affordable Housing Panel," Columbus Bar Association Real Property Law Institute, June 2023
  • Speaker, "LIHTC for Senior Housing", Columbus Real Estate Women, October 2017
  • Speaker, “Entity Structures of LIHTC Borrowers,” national platform lending client, August 2013
  • Speaker, "Tips for Obtaining RD 538 Permanent Loan Note Guaranty", Section 538 Rural Rental Housing (GRRH) Regional Conference, October 23-24, 2007
  • Speaker, "ABC's of Leasing," Bricker & Eckler LLP Lender Seminar, February 21, 2008

Outside The Office

When I'm not busy closing deals, you can usually find me hanging out at home with my family or attending various activities with my kids. I'm an avid OSU football fan and also enjoy watching OSU basketball.

Christopher Swank, Bricker Graydon LLP Photo

Christopher N. Swank

Partner
  • 100 South Third Street
    Columbus, OH 43215 -4291

Admissions

  • State of Ohio
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