Waterton Welcomes Erick Harris As Executive Vice President & General Counsel
(March 20, 2024 – Chicago, IL) –Waterton, a national real estate investor and operator, today announced the hiring of Erick Harris as Executive Vice President & General Counsel. Mr. Harris brings to Waterton a depth of legal experience and leadership, honed over a 20-year career in real estate investment management and legal compliance.
In his role leading the legal, risk management and compliance teams at Waterton, Mr. Harris will oversee the company’s legal strategies, manage contractual processes and ensure compliance and ethical governance across all business practices. His responsibilities include spearheading transaction closures, managing due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, and directing corporate insurance programs, all while providing strategic support to fortify Waterton’s competitive position. Mr. Harris will also cultivate the talents of the legal and compliance team, underscoring Waterton’s commitment to excellence in every facet of its operations.
“Erick’s extensive experience in investment management, real estate credit and transactions and institutional LP engagement makes him an invaluable asset to Waterton,” said David Schwartz, CEO and Chairman of Waterton. “His leadership qualities combined with a deep understanding of tax structuring for LP investments and experience with flagship funds and separate accounts align with our strategic vision. Erick’s hiring reflects our commitment to driving growth and delivering value through strategic partnerships and thoughtful transactions.”
Before joining Waterton, Mr. Harris served as General Counsel at Blue Vista Capital Management, where he was instrumental in forming the firm’s first legal department and assumed primary responsibility for legal and regulatory affairs at the corporate, fund, and investment levels. His experience also includes leading legal functions and advising senior management on strategic initiatives at Stellar National Life Insurance Company, demonstrating his versatility and adeptness in handling complex legal and regulatory challenges. Having honed his skills in both the legal and real estate sectors, Mr. Harris brings a wealth of knowledge in managing regulatory affairs, developing ownership structures, and executing strategic initiatives. His extensive experience also includes providing critical legal counsel to CEOs, Chairmen, and Management Committees, as well as leading diversity and inclusion efforts.
“I am excited to embark on this new chapter with Waterton, a firm known for its collaborative culture and strategic approach to real estate investment,” said Mr. Harris. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to further enhance our legal and risk management strategies while managing the process of developing and maintaining partnerships and providing counsel on the complexities of real estate transactions.”
Mr. Harris holds a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science, with honors, from the University of Wisconsin. He also maintains active FINRA Series 7 / 24 licenses.
About Waterton:
Waterton is a real estate investment and property management company with a focus on U.S. multifamily and hospitality properties. Founded in 1995, Waterton executes value add strategies and manages a national portfolio of properties on behalf of institutional investors, family offices and financial institutions. Waterton is privately held and is headquartered in Chicago with regional teams throughout the United States. As of September 30, 2023, Waterton’s portfolio includes approximately $10.4 billion in real estate assets. Visit Waterton’s website: www.waterton.com.
