A Legacy of Disciplined Real Estate Investing
In 1961, Samuel K. Freshman founded Standard Management Company with a forward-looking idea: investors could accomplish more by investing together.
In 1961, Samuel K. Freshman founded Standard Management Company with a forward-looking idea: investors could accomplish more by investing together.
At the time, much of Los Angeles real estate was acquired one parcel at a time, often by investors who closely guarded their methods. Sam took a different approach. He believed that by pooling their capital, individual investors could participate in larger, higher-quality commercial real estate opportunities that might otherwise be beyond their reach.
A Stanford-trained attorney, Mr. Freshman received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and his law degree from Stanford Law School. He founded and served as managing partner of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, which is now the Los Angeles office of K&L Gates. He later became an acknowledged expert on real estate investment and syndication, serving as an Adjunct Professor of Real Estate at the USC Marshall School of Business and as an expert witness.
Mr. Freshman authored numerous articles and books on real estate, finance, saving, and business success. His most influential work, Principles of Real Estate Syndication, is widely regarded as the bible on the subject and helped educate generations of investors, sponsors, attorneys, and real estate professionals.
Throughout his career, Mr. Freshman was trusted by wealthy families, private investors, and business leaders for his practical wisdom, disciplined investment philosophy, and ability to make complex real estate concepts understandable. He was also Chairman Emeritus of Stanford Professionals in Real Estate, SPIRE, a global organization of Stanford University alumni working in the real estate industry.
Following Sam’s passing, Standard Management Company continues to honor his legacy and carry forward the principles that defined his career: careful underwriting, low leverage, market demographic analysis, and the preservation and appreciation of investor capital.
Sam’s impact extended far beyond individual transactions. He believed that successful investing required patience, thoughtful analysis and a responsibility to protect investor capital. His approach emphasized careful underwriting, conservative leverage, market research and long-term value creation.
Those principles continue to shape Standard Asset Management & Investments today.
Sam passed away on May 12, 2026, at the age of 93. His legacy lives on through the firm he founded, the investors he served, the professionals he mentored and the enduring lessons he shared throughout his life.
