06 May 2026
Baker Donelson Strengthens New Orleans Real Estate Group with Addition of Frank Paul Simoneaux III
"Frank Paul Simoneaux III joins Baker Donelson as of counsel in New Orleans to work in the firm's Real Estate Group on commercial real estate sales, development, financing and leasing, with emphasis on public and private financing structures."
Mr. Simoneaux focuses his practice on commercial real estate sales, development, financing, and leasing. He brings more than 30 years of combined legal and financial experience, including a decade of practice spanning both transactional and litigation matters and nine years as a commercial loan officer and private security lender. His practice includes advising developers and property owners on a wide range of real estate projects, with a particular focus on public and private financing structures.
He has significant experience with complex financing tools and incentives, including historic tax credits, low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, new markets tax credits, state and local gap financing programs, restoration tax abatements, and payment in lieu of tax (PILOT) arrangements. He also has experience closing HUD-insured permanent financing loans, including HUD 221(d)(4) loans, and handling hotel purchase and sale transactions. In addition, he regularly drafts and negotiates business organizational and transactional documents, including partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements, and related contracts.
Mr. Simoneaux is the latest addition to Baker Donelson's growing New Orleans office, which has recently welcomed City Councilmember Lesli Harris as special counsel, litigator Nicholas J. Wehlen, and associates Madison Gaines, Myles H. Sonnier, and Ashley E. White. The firm has also announced plans to relocate its New Orleans office in fall 2026 to approximately 40,000 square feet at One Canal Place.
Mr. Simoneaux earned his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and his B.S. in Finance from Louisiana State University. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the New Orleans Bar Association.