Brian J. Appel is the founder and managing partner of Appel & Henick LLP.
Mr. Appel credits the depth and breadth of his practice and the practical approach he brings to the representation of the firm’s diverse clients to his experience on the business side of the real estate industry. After spending five years with a highly regarded real estate department in one of Los Angeles’ best known larger law firms and prior to founding the firm in 1991, Mr. Appel worked in the real estate investment banking business arranging capital for real estate transactions and pursuing real estate investment opportunities for clients and for direct investment. Mr. Appel is active as a principal in the acquisition and development of real estate projects and as a real estate investor.
Mr. Appel’s practice includes acquisitions, sales, leasing, design and construction contracts and all tiers of capital transactions and related entity formation and structuring.
Mr. Appel received his Bachelor of Business Administration, with distinction, in 1982 from the School of Business at the University of Wisconsin and his J.D. in 1985 from UCLA School of Law.
Mr. Appel devotes substantial time and resources to civic and charitable activities, with a special emphasis on programs involved in mentoring and helping at-risk and in-need children. Examples of his community activities include:
Involvement since 1986 in the Big Brother/Big Sister movement (with eight years as a big brother, a past member of the Board of Trustees and as past Board Chair of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters).
Received the “Inspiration Award” at the Centennial Celebration of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles.
Founded in 1995 (and for 10 years chaired) the Dave Singer Memorial Golf Tournament Benefiting Camp Max Straus (which raises money to send at-risk children to Camp Max Straus).
Created the Rising Leaders Scholarship Fund for former campers attending college.
Co-Chaired a venture philanthropy fund.
Advised and fundraised for the Friendship Circle of Los Angeles (serving developmentally disabled children and their families).
Worked as a mentor for younger professionals looking to become more actively involved in community and charitable work.
Richard Henick is a partner at Appel & Henick LLP. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Henick practiced in the real estate and finance group of an international law firm.
Rich’s experience as a real estate lawyer includes acquisitions, sales, leasing and financing of commercial, industrial, retail, residential and hotel properties. He also deals with the structuring of ownership entities and the purchase and sale of businesses. He represents clients engaged in a wide variety of business activities and has a long history of helping his clients achieve their business, financial and personal goals.
Rich received his B.A. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley in 1988 and his J.D. cum laude in 1991 from the Temple University School of Law. He is a member of the California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bars, and is also a member of the Los Angeles County and American Bar Associations.
Outside of the office, Rich devotes substantial time to his family, to various youth organizations including Scouting America and AYSO and club soccer, as well as membership and active involvement in the City of Hope Los Angeles Real Estate and Construction Industries Council, raising funds for cancer research and treatment.
Eric Kaufman brings to the team a diverse background of law firm, in-house counsel and portfolio ownership experience in transactional business and legal affairs.
Mr. Kaufman’s expertise in commercial real estate includes commercial leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, due diligence, property management, marketing, financing and compliance. As an attorney with prior tenures in institutional asset management, development and commercial brokerage firms, he offers clients a unique principal-minded perspective to their legal representation.
Mr. Kaufman received his B.A. with majors in Political Science and Dramatic Arts in 1995 from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and received his J.D. in 2000 from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. He is a member of the California Bar and the Beverly Hills Bar Association.
A devoted husband, father and philanthropic event planner, Mr. Kaufman has dedicated his time outside the office volunteering for numerous charitable and community organizations, including:
Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps Scholarship Fund, chairing annual events in support of youth scholarships for Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp in Malibu
The Real Estate and Construction Division of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
The Guardians of the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging
Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, volunteer coaching his son and daughter’s basketball teams
Phaedra Polychronis is an attorney with Appel & Henick LLP. In her years of practicing as a real estate lawyer, both at regional and international law firms, Phaedra has worked on a myriad of commercial real estate deals including acquisitions and dispositions, commercial leases, financing and other capital transactions, and joint ventures.
Phaedra earned her B.A. magna cum laude with distinction in History and Political Science with a minor in French from Barnard College, Columbia University, and her J.D. from Boston College Law School. She is a member of the California Bar, the Beverly Hills Bar Association, and the Women’s Law Association of Los Angeles.
Phaedra serves on the board of the Marlborough School Alumnae Council and is an active member of the American Hellenic Council. She loves spending her free time swimming, hiking, performing improv, and cooking for her family and friends. She is fluent in Greek and French.
