Chris Zona is a litigation partner at Mandelbaum Barrett, practicing primarily out of New York City. With nearly 100 trials under his belt, Chris helps investors and businesses turn legal conflict into capital. By leveraging litigation, non-performing loans, and distressed assets, he shows multifamily and commercial real estate investors how to uncover hidden opportunities and generate outsized returns.

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Key Takeaways

• Litigation doesn't have to be a cost center—it can be a source of investment opportunities.

• Non-performing loans (NPLs) often sell at steep discounts, creating entry points below market value.

• Attorneys can help investors navigate complex foreclosure timelines and risks.

• Judicial vs. non-judicial foreclosure states dramatically change the investment timeline.

• Building strong banking and attorney relationships is essential to sourcing and executing distressed note deals.

Topics

Turning Conflict into Capital

• How Chris reframes litigation as a tool to unlock hidden opportunities.

• Why distressed debt and litigation finance are increasingly relevant in today's market.

Understanding Non-Performing Loans

• NPLs often sell at 60–80% of face value, providing opportunities for investors.

• Secondary markets create deal flow as banks offload risky assets to redeploy capital.

The Role of Litigation Attorneys

• Advising investors on jurisdictional risks, foreclosure timelines, and strategy.

• Using the threat of litigation to negotiate favorable outcomes without always going to trial.

Judicial vs. Non-Judicial States

• Judicial foreclosures require lawsuits, trials, and long timelines.

• Non-judicial foreclosures are statutory, faster, and less litigious.

• Investors must factor timelines into their portfolio strategies.

Market Conditions for Distressed Assets

• Rising interest rates and tighter bank policies have increased the number of NPLs.

• Why the next 3–5 years may provide significant opportunity for note investors.

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Round of Insights

Failure that set Chris up for success: Missing his D1 football dream taught him resilience and focus, which later fueled his legal career.

Digital or mobile resource: ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, useful for categorizing thoughts and research preparation.

Book recommendation: The Mitch Rapp thriller series by Vince Flynn and Prey series by John Sandford.

Daily habit: Morning workouts—cardio and lifting—before tackling the day's work.

#1 insight for investing in NPLs: Be realistic, know your portfolio, patience level, and ability to handle long timelines.

Favorite restaurant in Stamford, CT: Towne Parlor.

Next Steps

• Learn more at Mandelbaum Barrett

• Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

• Explore how litigation strategies can complement your real estate portfolio

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