Commercial Real Estate

As Long Island real estate attorneys, we take pride in the diversity of matters in which we serve our clients. Our clients include commercial buyers and sellers, commercial landlords and commercial tenants, brokers, developers, financial institutions, architects, and contractors, as well as municipalities, banks, and financial institutions. We provide hands-on representation in all aspects of real estate transactions, development, and land use, including negotiating commercial leases, purchases, sales, construction, and financing, obtaining zoning and regulatory approvals, and putting agreements in place with lenders, general contractors, construction managers, and subcontractors.

Representative Matters

Commercial Real Estate Purchases and Sales
We have significant experience handling a variety of commercial real estate sales and purchases on Long Island and in New York City from the initial contract through closing. Our experience also includes forward and reverse 1031 exchanges, as well as preparing all types of agreements relating to real estate transactions. We also work with local economic development agencies to help our clients obtain incentives.

Commercial Leasing
CMM advises retail and commercial landlords and tenants on all aspects of lease negotiation and strategy. We represent clients in all types of commercial leasing transactions including office leases, ground leases, master and subleases, triple-net leases, sale-leaseback, and related financing. Our deep experience includes drafting and negotiating commercial leases in connection with shopping centers, commercial buildings, and industrial properties, including handling all leasing work for a publicly traded retailer with international operations. We are adept at navigating input from various internal departments within an organization, such as Finance, Facilities, and Legal, as well as outside consultants including brokers, contractors, and architects.

The firm represents landlords of commercial, retail, and office properties throughout the tri-state area, exclusively handling the preparation and negotiation of all leasing documentation on behalf of our clients. We also provide a full range of landlord-tenant legal services to commercial and residential landlords regarding nonpayment of rent, rent collection, lease violations, security deposits, habitability issues, repairs and maintenance, common area maintenance and other charges, nuisance and lease options, and renewals, as well as regulatory compliance and insurance coverage.

Recent projects include leading the legal strategy for the renegotiation of the entire lease portfolio for a national retailer, which involved the review of more than 800 leases and the preparation and negotiation of over 500 lease amendments. As part of this project, we worked with hundreds of commercial landlords, from small family-owned shopping centers to large institutional landlords. We represented a national brand in the negotiation of a lease for a 200,000-square-foot headquarters. We also represented a commercial landlord in connection with the termination of a bank lease involving complex exit, construction, and vault removal issues, helping avoid litigation through creative business solutions. During the pandemic, we advised senior management of a national retailer regarding legal strategy on rent payment. As part of this process, we managed and resolved hundreds of default notices and over 60 lawsuits.

Real Estate Portfolio Optimization and Restructuring
The CMM team is experienced and adept at working with retailers on optimizing existing retail lease terms to achieve material cost savings and other business needs. We deeply understand the push and pull of the landlord-tenant relationship and have been able to apply available leverage and pressure to get deals done quickly. Our experience and ability to navigate lease amendment terms under fast-paced conditions allows us to provide valuable support to the business and real estate stakeholders focused on meeting company goals and objectives. Our team excels in the fast-paced real estate environment and deeply understands the critical nature that timing plays with respect to real estate transactions, while also understanding the importance of sound analysis and business decisions for tenant portfolio stakeholders.