MINNESOTA 250 | 

Timothy Gustin

Timothy Gustin, a member at Cozen O’Connor in Minneapolis, concentrates his practice on representing lenders who originate and sell multifamily mortgage loans to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, many of which are pooled and sold into securitization trusts. He also represents portfolio lenders — including life insurance companies, bridge lenders and banks — financing office, industrial, hospitality, retail, self-storage and multifamily projects.

Gustin joined Cozen O’Connor in 2026 along with colleagues from Moss & Barnett, where he chaired the real estate finance and real estate practice groups and served as chair of the board of directors. Under his leadership, the firm became one of the nation’s leading legal advisors to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lenders, closing thousands of multifamily loans across every major product line.

He serves on the Freddie Mac Multifamily Legal Advisory Council and participates in Fannie Mae’s Legal Issues Forum, working to update legal documentation and loan requirements. Gustin earned his J.D., cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law.

Organization

Education

William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1998
Hamline University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1995

Key Accomplishments

Joined Cozen O’Connor in January 2026, following the firm’s merger with Moss & Barnett, where Tim served as the chair of the firm’s board of directors and real estate practice.

  • Advises lenders of all types on commercial real estate transactions, including office, industrial, hospitality, retail, self-storage, and multifamily projects
  • Experienced advisor for construction, bridge and permanent debt
  • Has directly closed or managed a team that has closed over 9,000 multifamily loan and servicing transactions, contributing to our nation’s housing needs, whether market rate, workforce, or affordable housing
  • Under his leadership at his former firm, Tim established one of the nation’s leading practices representing lenders who originate and sell multifamily loans to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and has continued to advance the practice at Cozen O’Connor
  • Serves on the Freddie Mac Multifamily Legal Advisory Council collaborating with their legal division to update and improve legal documentation and loan requirements to address legal and industry developments
  • Active member of the Fannie Mae Multifamily Legal Issues Forum
  • Represented the lender on the closing of an $878 million loan secured by a multifamily project in California, until recently, the largest single-property loan ever purchased by Freddie Mac.
Board Affiliations

Mortgage Bankers Association
American Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association – Real Property Section

Awards and Honors & Certifications
  • Recipient, “Real Estate Lawyer of the Year,” Minnesota Real Estate Journal (2026)
  • The Best Lawyers in America (2024-present)
  • Minnesota Super Lawyers (2024-present)
  • Finalist, “Real Estate Lawyer of the Year – Male,” Minnesota Real Estate Journal (2024)
  • Minnesota Rising Stars (2000-2006, 2008-2009, 2011)

Other Honorees

See the full list of honorees in each category

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The Minnesota Legal 250 is Minnesota Lawyer’s premier recognition program celebrating the most influential and accomplished attorneys throughout the state. Our editorial team carefully selects a minimum of 250 outstanding individuals who have experienced prolonged success and an ability to successfully navigate changing client needs, legal developments, technology, economic environments, and strong community engagement.
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