Experience
Sunny, born in New Delhi and raised in New York, discovered his passion for policy and advocacy early in life, which led him to Washington, DC in pursuit of his undergraduate degree in Business, Economics, and Public Policy at George Washington University. That reverence evolved into practice while Sunny studied law in Boston, MA at Suffolk University. Following the convocation of his Juris Doctorate in 2008, Sunny served as a judicial clerk in the High Court of Gujarat, as well as the Supreme Court of India. Keeping a close eye on the impending housing crisis at home, Sunny returned to the States to advocate for families during the economic recovery. He focused his practice on statutory and precedent-based policy, which led to the imposition of good-faith requirements on financial institutions.
In a decisive pivot to his legal career, Sunny joined a business-focused law firm, where he excelled in procuring and managing clients with real property transactions, syndication, and private lending. He also led the tax lien investment team through his due diligence and legal strategies via foreclosure and quiet-title litigation. Sunny elevated his experience by joining the Manhattan offices of Morici & Morici LLP, where he represented several sophisticated clientele, including the Rockefeller Group, Carlyle Group, and Ralph Lauren, among others at various economic levels. He managed and closed multi-million dollar residential and commercial transactions for developers and high-net-worth venture capitalists, in addition to advising on mergers and leveraged buyouts and executing commercial leasing and other business ventures.
With a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of the West and a desire to prioritize a higher quality of life, Sunny and his wife decided to move to her hometown of Portland in 2018. He thereafter joined one of Oregon’s first law firms, McEwen Gisvold LLP, working in the Real Estate, Transactional, and Corporate Groups. He advised individual and institutional clients on a broad scope of matters including complex commercial financing, due diligence, leasing, corporate governance, and strategic counsel. Sunny possesses a deep enthusiasm for individuals, cultural diversity, and fostering a sense of community.
Get in touch
We know that finding the right attorney to represent you is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer free consultations to walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.
Book an appointment ▸
Your Business Partner + Legal Counselor
Founder
Sunny S. Kakwani, Esq.
I come from a powerful bicoastal and international entrepreneurial and institutional background. I am a fully attentive leader that builds upon empathic collaboration to effectively solve problems and interact with functional stakeholders. My reputation as a successful business implementer has been seasoned through my various roles at law practices, nonprofits, and other corporate ventures. I am someone that brings diversity, both in background and thinking, to any organization and I am focused on collaborating with a team that values same. My passion for culture and inclusion has led me to become a founding member and to currently serve as Treasurer on the non-profit board of the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) - Oregon chapter.
I have advised individual and institutional clients in a broad scope of matters including risk management, due diligence, public policy, ethics, dispute resolution, complex commercial financing, leasing, corporate governance, and strategic counsel. I have extensive background in social entrepreneurship, corporate transactions, policies, training, intellectual property, as well as transactional contracts, investments, syndication, financing, and litigation. My specific responsibilities as the department head of hard money loans, 1031 like-kind exchanges, and municipal tax lien investments and enforcement has offered me significant exposure to alternative financing and risk mitigation. I recently represented national corporations, lenders, and life companies in documenting, negotiating, and managing transactions including construction, bridge, and term loans, secured by industrial, retail, agriculture, hospitality, and multifamily properties and ground leases.
Practicing in progressive areas requires passion and a pioneering spirit. Living, studying, and working in a variety of cities and countries has helped to foster my genuine passion for community. My various professional experiences contribute to thoroughly understanding dynamic interests. I am admitted to practice in Oregon, New York, and New Jersey state and federal courts. I earned a Juris Doctor degree with a concentration in Intellectual Property from Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Business, Economics, and Public Policy, in addition to a minor in Psychology, from The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Education
Suffolk University Law School: Boston, MA
Juris Doctorate, 2008
The George Washington University: Washington, DC
BBA: Business, Economics & Public Policy, 2004
Bar Admissions
Oregon State Courts
New York State Appellate Division, 2nd Dept.
U.S. Federal District Court, Eastern & Southern Districts of New York
New Jersey State Supreme Court
U.S. Federal District Court of New Jersey
District of Columbia, Court of Appeals (inactive status)