Nicole Mesard is Deputy Presiding Partner of the firm and a partner in the Real Estate Group, where she advises clients on all aspects of real estate law, including acquisitions and sales of retail and commercial properties, sophisticated financings, joint ventures, infrastructure transactions and restructurings of commercial real estate loans, including in bankruptcy. Ms. Mesard also serves as Chair of the Hiring Committee and Co-Chair of the Global Talent Initiative, and is a member of the firm’s Special Situations team. Previously, she served as Deputy Chair of the firm’s Corporate Department and a member of the Management Committee. Ms. Mesard is a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and serves on the Board of Directors of the non-profit organization Graham Windham and the Board of Trustees of the non-profit organization Prep for Prep. She is ranked as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA (2025). She is also listed as Highly Regarded for Real Estate Acquisitions by IFLR1000 (2024) and recognized by The Legal 500 US (2024). Ms. Mesard joined Debevoise in 2001 and became a partner in 2008. She received her B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany magna cum laude in 1994 and her J.D. from Tulane University magna cum laude in 1997.