Real estate
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP fields a large practice, with a deep bench experienced in all aspects of commercial real estate law. The group works hand-in-hand with a wide range of clients, including many industry leaders, handling all facets of real estate transactions to help develop major city skylines. The team has experience advising across multiple asset classes, including office and mixed-use developments, multifamily housing, and residential and retail projects. The leadership team is based in the firm’s New York office, with department chair Jonathan Mechanic routinely advising developers, owners, investors, and lenders on all aspects of their real estate transactions. Deputy co-chairs Michael Werner and Laurinda Martins are also in New York with expertise in construction financings, developments, debt restructurings, and large-scale acquisitions and joint ventures respectively, while Alexander Sutherland represents developers, lenders, owners, and institutional investors in a variety of commercial real estate transactions. Valerie Kelly, who is based in the Washington office, regularly represents prominent private and public commercial real estate investors and developers. In New York, Robert Sorin is a key contact.
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Profile
Work Department
Real Estate
Position
Mr. Werner represents clients in the acquisition, disposition and development of office, retail, residential, hotel and mixed-use properties; high-profile commercial leasing; structured and construction financing; ground leases; joint ventures; and debt restructurings. He routinely counsels prominent owners, developers, financial institutions, institutional investors, REITs, and corporations in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, and has worked on many of the industry's highest profile transactions for clients that include Google, Amazon, Tishman Speyer, Global Holdings, Taconic Partners, Brookfield, Vornado, RXR and Gotham, among others.
Career
Mr. Werner joined the firm in 2005 and became partner in 2015.
Memberships
Mr. Werner is a member of American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), CRE Finance Council, Real Estate Board of New York, and International Council of Shopping Centers. Mr. Werner previously served on Israel Bonds Real Estate New Leadership Division, where he served as Co-Chair and Vice-Chair of the cabinet. He serves as a member of the Attorney Development Committee of Fried Frank.
Education
Mr. Werner received his JD, cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law in 2005 and his BA, cum laude, from Binghamton University in 2002.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Very attentive to each deal, they understand negotiations, and are a pleasure to work with.' 'They are focused, motivated, and hungry to get the best deal but also manage time/money. Each is a pleasure to deal with. Michael Werner is always someone I can rely on to help in any situation.' 'Superior real estate transaction expertise.' 'Business-minded attorneys. Franz Rassman is an outstanding real estate attorney with exceptional expertise in commercial office leasing. Franz is an excellent communicator and understands how to facilitate a transaction for his clients.'
Key clients
- Atlas Capital Group, LLC Blackstone Real Estate Advisors Citadel Enterprise Americas LLC Douglaston Development Gotham Development Kushner Companies MCR Development LLC Metro Loft Management Michigan Central Innovation District, LLC Naftali Group New Green Willets, LLC SL Green Surya Capital Partners The New York Climate Exchange Tishman Speyer Union Station Redevelopment Corporation Vornado Weill Cornell Medical Center
Work highlights
Acted as counsel to Blackstone Inc. in connection with its agreement to expand and extend its global headquarters lease 345 Park Avenue, which is owned by Rudin Management.