Justin Cooper

Justin Cooper is the Founder and CEO of Layla Capital. Mr. Cooper began his career at Silo Financial Corp., a private commercial bridge lender based in Stamford, Connecticut, where he underwrote, sourced, and asset managed bridge loans. After Silo, Mr. Cooper joined a New York based distressed debt, special situations and lending fund with more than $1.7 billion in AUM, where Mr. Cooper managed a portfolio of 50+ assets across the continental U.S. Thereafter, he was asked help launch the fund's private lending strategy, where he built a team and grew the loan origination business from the ground up. Subsequently, Mr. Cooper led the direct lending business of a Family Office located in New York and Miami. Mr. Cooper's focus at the Family Office was on originating senior-secured, first mortgage bridge loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments in the $1M to $40M range. Mr. Cooper graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and Accounting. Mr. Cooper also was awarded a Master of Science degree in Finance from Syracuse University, in which he finished first in his class. He resides with his wife and two children in Delray Beach, FL.