Brownstein Names David Curfman as Co-Chair of Real Estate Department
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck announced that David Curfman, a shareholder in the firm’s Denver office, has been named co-chair of its Real Estate Department, joining Shareholder Blair Lichtenfels to lead one of the firm’s largest and most established practice groups. The appointment comes as the department continues to expand its national footprint and deepen its roster of sophisticated clients.
“David’s appointment as co-chair reflects our commitment to developing exceptional leaders and strengthening our real estate platform,” said Rich Benenson, Brownstein’s managing partner. “David and Blair bring an important combination of legal skill, business judgment and genuine care for their colleagues and clients. Their leadership will be instrumental as we grow this practice and continue to take on complex, high-stakes deals.”
Curfman, a Chambers-ranked attorney, counsels lenders, investors and owners on complex and high-value commercial real estate transactions, from acquisitions and dispositions to financing and joint ventures. Clients and colleagues alike point to his practical approach, collaborative style and deep industry knowledge as traits of his practice, and his track record of guiding clients through sophisticated deals and challenges has made him a trusted adviser. His leadership, commitment to excellence and focus on client outcomes make him well-positioned to lead the department.
Curfman’s appointment builds on a period of significant momentum for the Real Estate Department, which recently welcomed four shareholders to its Los Angeles office and another new shareholder to its Denver office. These moves reflect Brownstein’s continued investment in one of the country’s premier real estate practices.
Multifamily Real Estate Firm Grand Peaks Adds Industry Veterans Chris Manley and Kevin Foltz
Denver-based multifamily real estate investment and advisory firm Grand Peaks has appointed veteran real estate executives Chris Manley as president and Kevin Foltz as chief investment officer, bolstering its leadership team as it continues expanding its multifamily investment platform.
Manley brings more than 35 years of real estate investment and operational leadership experience to the firm. He previously served as the chief operating officer of Denver-based hotel owner, operator and developer Stonebridge Companies and founded 5 Senses Hospitality Management, which he grew to 14 hotels and more than 550 team members before its successful merger with Crestline Hotels & Resorts in January 2025.
Earlier in his career, he spent 15 years as chief financial officer of The Pauls Corporation and served as vice president at Prologis. Manley holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.
Foltz joins the firm with over 30 years of real estate, development and investment management experience. Most recently, he served as president & chief development officer at Forum Investment Group, where he oversaw firm operations, investment strategy execution and ground-up development initiatives.
Prior to his time with Forum, he was a development director with Continuum Partners, leading entitlements, land acquisition and disposition, and the ground-up development of numerous award-winning retail, hospitality, residential and commercial projects. Foltz holds an engineering degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MBA from the University of Colorado Denver.
“Chris and Kevin strengthen our senior leadership team with extensive experience in operations, investment strategy and development, positioning the firm for its next phase of growth,” said Luke Simpson, CEO of Grand Peaks. “Their expertise will help us continue expanding our multifamily platform, execute on new investment opportunities and deliver strong results for our partners. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the Grand Peaks family.”
Founded in 2003 by brothers Luke and Nick Simpson, Grand Peaks is a third-generation real estate firm with a 75-year family legacy in multifamily housing. The firm specializes in the development, acquisition, repositioning and asset management of apartment communities.
Grand Peaks currently operates in eight markets with approximately $3 billion in assets under management and $1 billion of equity invested. The firm partners with institutional investors and family offices to pursue multifamily opportunities through disciplined underwriting, proactive asset management and strategic capital deployment.
Design Workshop Names Molly Somers Director of Marketing
Design Workshop, an international landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm, welcomes Molly Somers as its director of marketing. Her firmwide role will be based in the Aspen studio. Somers brings nearly 20 years of experience leading business development, brand strategy, and strategic marketing initiatives for prominent real estate, architecture, and design organizations, including Related Companies and Gensler. In her new role, Somers will lead marketing strategy across the firm’s seven studios, overseeing business development marketing, brand positioning, communications and pursuit strategy.
“Molly’s experience leading marketing for developers and design firms gives her a strong understanding of how to communicate the value of design and build meaningful client relationships,” said Becky Zimmermann, CEO of Design Workshop. “Her strategic approach to storytelling and business development will strengthen our brand and support the firm’s continued growth.”
Most recently, Somers served as director of brand experience & marketing for Related Beal in Boston, where she led marketing and brand strategy for a portfolio of residential, hospitality, and mixed-use developments. Before Related, she spent more than a decade in marketing leadership roles at Gensler, designLAB architects and Machado Silvetti Associates, where she directed proposal strategy, brand development, thought leadership and integrated marketing initiatives that helped firms win high-profile projects and expand their market presence.
“I am thrilled to join Design Workshop and contribute to their work creating places that positively impact communities and the environment,” said Somers. “I look forward to working alongside the firm’s talented team to elevate the brand story, strengthen client connections and support Design Workshop’s continued leadership in landscape architecture and planning.”
