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Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-181077) pertaining to the Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation 2012 Equity Incentive Plan of our report dated April 1, 2013, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2012.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California
April 1, 2013

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Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm