GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), a real estate investment trust focused primarily on originating, investing in, and financing commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate-related debt investments, today announced that Andrew J. Sossen joined the Company on January 14, 2010 as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.

"We are pleased to welcome Andrew to Starwood," said Mr. Sternlicht, the Company's Chief Executive Officer. "We expect Andrew's experience to add significant strength to the Company's senior management team as we continue to expand our business."

Mr. Sossen replaces Ellis F. Rinaldi as the Company's General Counsel and assumes the role of Chief Compliance Officer from Barbara J. Anderson, the Company's Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Rinaldi will remain a Director of the Company and Co-General Counsel and an Executive Vice President of Starwood Capital Group.

Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Sossen served as the General Counsel of KKR Financial Holdings LLC, a publicly traded specialty finance company, and KKR Asset Management, where he was a member of senior management and was integrally involved in the policy and strategic decision-making, as well as in the day-to-day operations of the business. Mr. Sossen's legal career began at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP where he was a member of the firm's corporate department specializing in capital markets and mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Sossen received both his Juris Doctorate and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.

About Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE: STWD) is a newly formed company that is focused primarily on originating, investing in, financing and managing commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate-related debt investments. Starwood Property Trust, Inc. is externally managed and advised by SPT Management, LLC, an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group, and intends to elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

SOURCE Starwood Property Trust, Inc.