Chicago-based law firm Ginsberg Jacobs today announced it has named Tim Franzen partner and chair of the firm’s growing hospitality real estate practice. Franzen brings nearly 30 years of expertise spanning hospitality real estate law, development, acquisitions, operations and brand development.
“Tim brings the rare combination of experience as a real estate attorney and as a hospitality owner, developer and operator,” said Steven “Sonny” Ginsberg, partner and co-founder of Ginsberg Jacobs. “Having helped build and grow high-profile hospitality platforms and brands, he understands not only the legal complexities of a transaction, but also the broader business goals our clients are trying to achieve.”
In his new role, Franzen will lead the continued growth of Ginsberg Jacobs’ hospitality real estate practice while collaborating with other attorneys to support clients across asset classes.
Over his career, Franzen has led more than 45 hotel projects totaling approximately 9,300 hotel guest rooms, including independent properties and hotels under the Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, IHG and Hyatt brand families. He previously served as president of Graduate Hotels, which from 2016 to 2020 was the fastest-growing independent hotel brand in the U.S. In that role, he helped conceptualize and grow Graduate into a 35-property portfolio in university-anchored markets from coast to coast. The brand was subsequently acquired by Hilton in 2024.
Most recently, Franzen served as chief development officer at Placemakr, a venture capital-backed residential and hospitality flex-use operator. Franzen has also served as executive vice president of The Harp Group, a Chicago-area commercial real estate investment and development company focused on hospitality. There, he led the acquisition of eight hotels totaling 3,000 guest rooms and valued at more than $390 million while concurrently developing the $103 million 412-key Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling, Ill., and the $176 million 556-key InterContinental Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill.
Through other roles, Franzen has led the financing, acquisition or development of golf courses, retail centers, office buildings, multifamily communities, mixed-use assets and parking structures, with total capitalization exceeding $2.5 billion.
“As a client, I’ve worked with Ginsberg Jacobs for years on everything from joint ventures, acquisitions and financings to management contracts and franchise agreements, so joining the firm feels like coming home,” said Franzen. “I’m excited to help grow the hospitality real estate practice, leveraging my experience as a developer, owner, operator and brand builder to assist clients at this pivotal time for the hotel industry.”
Earlier in his career, Franzen co-founded GTC Investments, a real estate investment and development company specializing in retail revitalization projects in suburban Chicago. He began his career practicing law in the real estate practice group of Katten Muchin Rosenman in Chicago.
Franzen has a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., and a law degree from DePaul University in Chicago.
