Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP routinely advises high-profile clients on complex zoning regulations and development approvals in New York, while also shaping the city’s legislative landscape through counsel to the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) on state and city legislation affecting real estate development. The team is jointly led by land-use specialists Zachary Bernstein and Wesley O’Brien, who regularly manage approvals and zoning matters for private developers, not-for-profits, and religious organizations. David Karnovsky brings notable expertise in environmental review, while Anita Laremont advocates on legislative matters before the REBNY. Other key figures include associate Ellen Lehman, who handles a broad range of real estate development matters, and Nicholas Williams, who is sought out for rezonings, special permits, variances, air rights transactions, and zoning diligence in acquisitions and financings. Elizabeth Lee advises on zoning due diligence and analysis. All attorneys mentioned are based in New York.
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Key clients
- BedRock Real Estate Partners
- BXP, Inc.
- Brookfield Office Properties Inc.
- Gotham Development
- The Whitney Museum
- Himmel + Meringoff Properties, Inc
- Durst Organization
- JEMB Realty
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Naftali Group
- NewYork Presbyterian Hospital
- Douglaston Development
Work highlights
Advising a joint venture between Brookfield Office Properties and Silverstein Properties concerning the planned development of a 1.56 million square foot mixed-use tower at 5 World Trade Center. This will be the first residential project on the World Trade Center Campus and one of the largest affordable housing developments in Lower Manhattan.
Advising Vornado Realty, as developers, in connection with zoning approvals and transactional counsel with respect to an 850,000 square foot NYC headquarters lease to anchor the development of a to-be-built best in class 1.8 million square foot commercial property on Park Avenue, New York, New York for Citadel LLC.
Advising The Trust for Governors Island on its proposed rezoning of Governors Island, a 172-acre island in the heart of New York Harbor. The rezoning will spur a 4 million square foot mixed use development, drawing in a combination of tech and life sciences firms. The centerpiece will be The New York Climate Exchange, a US$700 million climate campus
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
Zachary Bernstein; Wesley O’Brien
Other key lawyers
David Karnovsky; Anita Laremont; Ellen Lehman; Nicholas Williams; Elizabeth Lee