Real Estate Leasing

Recent News:

Elizabeth Kearney Named a 2025 GlobeSt. Woman of Influence

Elizabeth Kearney, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate practice, has been named a 2025 GlobeSt. Woman of Influence.

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Cozen O’Connor’s prominent leasing team represents landlords, tenants, and developers in their most critical and complex commercial real estate transactions. We structure deals to maximize value and preserve rights over the long term. Now more than ever, given the upheaval that began in 2020 due to COVID-19, counsel on the cutting edge is essential.

Top-ranked real estate professionals at Cozen O’Connor have led leasing in some of the most iconic office towers and commercial buildings in the country—from Gas Company Tower, U.S. Bank Tower, and BNY Mellon Center to, more recently, Comcast Technology Center, Grand Avenue Project, 7 World Trade Center, and Capitol Crossing. Many clients have turned to us for help navigating the many leasing issues that have arisen amid the coronavirus pandemic.

We are distinguished, in part, by having a truly national practice. With dedicated leasing attorneys in offices across the country, we work collaboratively on behalf of clients with multi-jurisdictional real estate portfolios. Firm attorneys have led leasing transactions in more than two dozen states in the last five years and understand the economics and deal norms specific to every major U.S. real estate market.

Cozen O’Connor attorneys have deep experience with diverse commercial assets and lease models, including:

  • Office, retail, industrial, and residential property leases
  • Ground leases
  • Anchor-tenant leases
  • Corporate headquarters and flagship leases
  • Leases with “special” build-out components
  • Operational master leases  
  • Co-working leases
  • Master apartment leases
  • Data and telecommunications site leases

The Leasing Practice is an integral part of Cozen O’Connor’s full-service Real Estate Practice, broadening our perspective and enabling us to offer clients comprehensive real estate counsel on everything from litigation and land use to construction law and real estate finance.

 

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Experience

Publications

Life Science Conversions in Real Estate

May 24, 2023

Matt Weinstein discusses the legal issues surrounding the lease that need to be evaluated and addressed when considering a conversion of office space to life science space in Area Development.

SCOTUS Goes to Mall of America: Court Recognizes Jurisdiction Over Appeals of Bankruptcy Sale Orders [Alert]

May 10, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court recently overruled lower courts in a dispute involving Sears' $10/year lease at the Mall of America.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Enters Eviction Fray With New Ruling Under FDCPA [Alert]

May 04, 2021

Steve Katkov and Amy Katz discuss the CFPB interim final rule and First Amendment challenges to the CDC moratorium currently pending.

Congress Enacts Modification to Bankruptcy Procedures Governing Assumption and Rejection of Leases

February 12, 2021

Steve Katkov and Joel Nesset discuss provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act that narrowly target companies to assist those that have filed for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code by temporarily modifying the rules governing a tenant’s performance under its leases.

Beware the Boilerplate — 10 Costly Pitfalls for the Commercial Tenant [Alert]

July 22, 2020

Grier Hoyt lists 10 costly pitfalls for the office tenant to avoid when entering into an office lease agreement.

Lease Forbearance Agreements in the Age of COVID-19

June 02, 2020

Adam Silvermann discusses a variety of issues and provisions landlords (and tenants) should consider when crafting a lease forbearance agreement during the COVID-19 crisis.

Lease Provisions To Consider in the Age of COVID-19

May 27, 2020

Adam Silverman discusses some provisions worth considering in new lease documents in the COVID-19 era.

Commercial Tenants Raising Impossibility of Performance and Frustration of Purpose [Alert]

May 06, 2020

Menachem J. Kastner, Emily Shoor, and Andrew Punzo discuss the case law behind New York courts applying the common law doctrines of Impossibility of Performance and Frustration of Purpose narrowly and strictly and only in limited circumstances.

In The News

Elizabeth Kearney Named a 2025 GlobeSt. Woman of Influence

April 21, 2025

Elizabeth Kearney, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate practice, has been named a 2025 GlobeSt. Woman of Influence.

Matthew Weinstein Elected Fellow of American College of Real Estate Lawyers

April 09, 2024

Matthew I. Weinstein, chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Lease Restructuring Group, has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

Cozen O’Connor Brings its Cross-Border Real Estate Practice to Canada, Adding Three Lawyers in Toronto

January 29, 2024

Enzo Sallese, Steven I. Pearlstein, and Andrea Wong — will join its fast-growing North American Real Estate practice.

Second Annual Cozen O’Connor Real Estate Survey Reveals Large Drop in Optimism About New York Market

November 14, 2023

New York City real estate professionals’ confidence in the city’s short-term future dropped by a quarter since last year, while pessimism tripled, according to a survey conducted by the law firm of Cozen O’Connor.

Paul Rutter Named in Los Angeles Business Journal’s LA500 List

June 06, 2023

LOS ANGELES, June 6, 2023 — Paul Rutter, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been named to the 2023 LA500 by Los Angeles Business Journal.

As Garment District Landlords Clamor for Resi Conversions, Others Say Not So Fast

March 01, 2023

Ken Fisher is quoted in Crain’s New York in an article discussing the fate of the Garment District, located in Midtown Manhattan, as City Council continues to hold hearings to determine if the city should use commercial vacancy to create more housing.

Survey of Real Estate Professionals Finds Strong Optimism About New York City’s Future

October 06, 2022

New York City real estate professionals are feeling optimistic about the city, with anti-real estate sentiment among politicians topping their list of concerns, narrowly edging out the high cost of construction.

Cozen O’Connor Minneapolis Attorney Jon Schoenwetter Named an “Up & Coming” Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer magazine

August 10, 2022

MINNEAPOLIS, August 10, 2022 — Minneapolis attorney Jon Schoenwetter, an associate in Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been named a 2022 “Up & Coming” attorney by Minnesota Lawyer magazine.

Super Lawyers Names Four Cozen O’Connor Attorneys to 2022 Minnesota List

July 25, 2022

Super Lawyers has named four Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

49 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 01, 2022

Super Lawyers has selected 49 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Biomeme, Inc. Office Lease Wins Philadelphia Business Journal's Best Real Estate Deal of 2021

April 04, 2022

Biomeme, Inc., represented by Beth Kearney, was awarded Best Office Lease in Philadelphia Business Journal's 2021 Best Real Estate Deal Awards.

Cozen O'Connor Promotes 28 Attorneys to Member

March 25, 2022

Cozen O'Connor promoted 28 attorneys to member in March.

Ken Fisher and Stuart Shorenstein Recognized Among City & State New York’s 2022 Law Power 100

March 07, 2022

Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, and Stuart Shorenstein, Managing Director of Cozen O’Connor New York Public Strategies, have been named to City & State New York’s 2022 Law Power 100.

This Major Pandemic Protection for Commercial Tenants is Coming to an End

June 29, 2021

Ken Fisher discusses what the end of the pandemic-related tenant protection means for landlords of commercial properties in Crain’s New York Business.

Vacated Restaurants Could Spark a Real Estate Boon

November 30, 2020

Matt Weinstein discusses with FSR Magazine the potential increase in real estate opportunities as restaurants look for property as companies begin to bounce back from COVID-19.

Movie Theater Closings Pose Another Challenge to Mall Landlords

October 19, 2020

Matt Weinstein discusses how the pandemic has caused movie theaters to close and what that means for mall landlords in GlobeSt.

Regal Theater Closures Present A 'Very Serious' Problem For Retail Landlords

October 13, 2020

In S&P Global Market Intelligence, Matt Weinstein discusses how mall and shopping center landlords are addressing the potential cascade of movie theater closures.

Ken Fisher Named to Brooklyn Power 50

September 21, 2020

New York – September 21, 2020 – Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s 2020 Brooklyn Power 50.

Lease Restructuring Groups Emerge As Virus Drives Demand

August 14, 2020

Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Lease Restructuring Group is highlighted in a recent Law360 article titled, "Lease Restructuring Groups Emerge as Virus Drives Demand."

Cozen O'Connor Group Tackles Surge Of Virus-Driven Lease Disputes

July 09, 2020

Matt Weinstein discusses the formation of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Lease Restructuring Practice, a multidisciplinary team assembled to address the growing needs of landlord and tenant lease renegotiation issues that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic in Law360.

Steven Katkov Appointed Member at Large of the Landlord Tenant Section Council of Hennepin County Bar Association

May 22, 2020

Steve Katkov, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice, has been appointed a member at large of the Landlord Tenant Section Council of the Hennepin County Bar Association.

Contacts

Richard H. Berney

Co-Chair, Leasing

rberney@cozen.com

(212) 453-3847

Grier Hoyt

Co-Chair, Leasing

ghoyt@cozen.com

(202) 747-0788

Marnie R. Kudon

Co-Chair, Leasing

mkudon@cozen.com

(212) 883-4926

People

Awards

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

49 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 01, 2022

Super Lawyers has selected 49 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Biomeme, Inc. Office Lease Wins Philadelphia Business Journal's Best Real Estate Deal of 2021

April 04, 2022

Biomeme, Inc., represented by Beth Kearney, was awarded Best Office Lease in Philadelphia Business Journal's 2021 Best Real Estate Deal Awards.

Cozen O'Connor Promotes 28 Attorneys to Member

March 25, 2022

Cozen O'Connor promoted 28 attorneys to member in March.

Ken Fisher and Stuart Shorenstein Recognized Among City & State New York’s 2022 Law Power 100

March 07, 2022

Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, and Stuart Shorenstein, Managing Director of Cozen O’Connor New York Public Strategies, have been named to City & State New York’s 2022 Law Power 100.

Ken Fisher Named to Brooklyn Power 50

September 21, 2020

New York – September 21, 2020 – Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s 2020 Brooklyn Power 50.

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