Commended for its ‘breadth’, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP’s land use and zoning department guides clients from the initial acquisition phase to obtaining building permits and land development. The New York-based practice is led by Michael Werner; Jonathan Mechanic; and Laurinda Martins, who represent a legion of clients including owners, developers, funds, real estate investment trusts, and other financial institutions. Partners-turned-of-counsel, Melanie Meyers and Carol Rosenthal, are experienced in securing approvals for infrastructure, housing, transportation, and private-public projects. Anita Laremont has advised on many significant neighborhood rezonings in New York while Wesley O’Brien regularly represents financial institutions in the zoning diligence for project loans. Additional firm talent includes Zachary Bernstein who recently advised Naftali Group on zoning and land use approvals for a 1-billion-dollar multi-phase residential project on Kent Avenue. All the above mentioned lawyers are based in New York.
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- Profile
Key clients
- BedRock Real Estate Partners
- Boston Properties
- Brookfield Office Properties Inc.
- G4 Capital Partners
- GFP Real Estate
- Gotham Development
- Himmel + Meringoff Properties, Inc
- Hospital for Special Surgery
- JEMB Realty
Work highlights
- Acted as counsel to BedRock Real Estate Partners on development issues related to a 5-block assemblage in Queens known as Innovation QNS, with particular emphasis on addressing structural challenges of maintaining a large-scale development plan option absent full control of all development parcels.
- Acted as counsel to Boston Properties in its successful application for special permits to redevelop the former MTA headquarters building located at 347 Madison Avenue. The project includes the development of a 1,050-foot tall office building, with ground-floor retail space and significant transit improvements to Grand Central Terminal.
- Acted as counsel to a joint venture between Brookfield Properties and Silverstein Properties in connection with the planned development of a 1.56 million-square-foot mixed-use tower at 5 World Trade Center. This will encompass approximately 1.2 million square feet of residential space (including affordable housing) and approximately 190,000 square feet of office space.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jonathan Mechanic; Laurinda Martins; Michael Werner
Other key lawyers
Carol Rosenthal; Melanie Meyers; Anita Laremont; Wesley O’Brien; Zachary Bernstein