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> Real Estate

Taxation, Trust
and Estates

REAL ESTATE

In its real estate practice, the firm concentrates in representing owners, operators, institutional and independent lenders, tenants and occupants of industrial, commercial and residential properties and office buildings. Among the matters handled by the firm are acquisitions and sales of properties, such as office buildings, hotels, warehouse and distribution facilities and industrial properties; construction and permanent financing for lenders and borrowers (including representing lead and participating lenders in loan participations); restructuring loans; loan workouts; construction and architectural agreements; real property management and leasing agency agreements; brokers' commission agreements; leasing, both for tenants and landlords, of office space, retail space and other commercial and industrial space; net leases of buildings; ground leases; and joint venture agreements.

We have counseled local, national and international owners of real estate in the intricacies relating to the taxation of transfers of interests in New York real property. Our real estate attorneys work closely with our corporate, business and other attorneys to help our clients structure their acquisitions, stock purchases, conveyances, leases, licenses, mortgages, refinancings, estate and family transactions, and other transactions in such a way as to minimize taxes and maximize flexibility.

As a result of the large concentration of cooperative and condominiums in the New York area, we provide general counseling to these entities including reviewing and redrafting operating documents such as proprietary leases and by-laws. We assist in refinancing of underlying mortgages, tenancy issues, negotiation of capital improvement and repair agreements and acting as transfer agents for apartments. We have also drafted offering plans for new condominiums and cooperative development and have handled the closings of apartments associated therewith.

We recognize that the same levels of skill and exacting standards must be employed in representing the buyers and sellers of residential real estate (single family and multi-family homes, cooperative apartments, condominiums and rental properties) as we bring to commercial transactions. Our size and the skill and experience of our attorneys permit us to continue to represent effectively our clients and their family members in this important area at reasonable fees.