Deborah Cussen

Deborah A. Cussen is a partner in the San Francisco office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.  She is a member of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group. 

Ms. Cussen has broad experience advising lenders, borrowers, developers, real estate private equity funds and institutional and non-institutional investors in all aspects of real estate, including undeveloped land, office buildings, apartment buildings, hotels, shopping centers, multi-family and mixed-use projects and other commercial properties.  Her experience includes advising both lenders and borrowers regarding loans for acquisition and development, construction, mezzanine and permanent financing, as well as advising on the acquisition, sale and financing of loans and loan portfolios.  In addition, Ms. Cussen has experience representing lenders and borrowers in distressed situations, including debt restructurings, extensions, workouts, forbearance agreements, foreclosures and other enforcement actions.  Ms. Cussen has represented clients in the formation of general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies and other joint ventures, as well as experience with fund formation and private equity work, including resolution of joint venture issues and disputes.

Ms. Cussen received her law degree from the University of California at Davis in 1993 where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and Senior Research Editor of the U.C. Davis Law Review.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in International Relations, from Brigham Young University in 1986.

Ms. Cussen has been selected by Chambers and Partners as a leading real estate lawyer in California for its 2007-2011 Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business Guides.

Ms. Cussen is admitted to practice in California and currently serves as a member of the Gibson Dunn's Compensation Committee.